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Guanacaste’s local cuisine is a delicious blend of indigenous traditions, ranching culture, and fresh coastal flavors. Meals are hearty, simple, and full of natural ingredients grown in the region’s fertile lowlands.

One of the staples is maize, used to make handmade tortillas, chorreadas (sweet corn pancakes), and tamales wrapped in banana leaves. You’ll often find dishes served with cuajada, a soft, salty cheese made on local farms. Traditional plates like casados—a combination of rice, beans, salad, plantains, and your choice of meat—showcase everyday Costa Rican cooking at its best.

Guanacaste is also known for its grilled meats and ranch-style dishes, a nod to its cowboy heritage. Try arroz de maíz, olla de carne (a beef and vegetable stew), or vigorón topped with crispy chicharrón. On the coast, fresh seafood shines: ceviche, grilled fish, and seafood rice are must-tries.

No visit is complete without tasting local drinks and treats. Enjoy a refreshing horchata made with rice and cinnamon, or chan—a lightly sweetened beverage with hydrating chia-like seeds. For dessert, look for cajetas de leche, cocadas, or sweet plantain empanadas.

Tasting Guanacaste’s cuisine is a journey into the region’s culture—warm, rustic, flavorful, and deeply rooted in local tradition.