Costa Rica is renowned for its lush jungles, 500,000 distinct animal species, and some of the world’s most delicious and nutritious fruits. If you plan a trip to Costa Rica and wish to explore the nation’s diverse culture, nature, and delicacies, there could be no better way other than trying Costa Rican fruits. You can easily find a rainbow of delicious fruit at the farmers’ markets in this tiny Central American paradise. You can include them in your daily vitamin and mineral intake during your vacation.
One of the interesting facts about Costa Rica is that you can find hundreds of tropical fruit varieties endemic to the country. And surprisingly, these fruits are not only delicious but also high in nutrients, perfect to kick-start your day. And the cherry on top is that you don’t need to hop from shop to shop in search of these fruits, as they are readily available in the local farmers’ markets.
Try out these 9 Costa Rican specialties to enjoy the nation’s “Pura Vida” lifestyle.
Table of Contents
1. Pitahayas
The pitahaya of this Central American nation is a delicious version of dragon fruit. The creamy white or purple flesh of dragon fruit is covered in bright pink skin, whereas the pitahaya has a colorful yellow or red exterior.
Pitahaya is best consumed by slicing it in half and using a spoon to scoop out the soft, white part. You can also cut it into small pieces and use it in a smoothie or a fruit salad. If you are visiting Costa Rica on vacation, you can easily buy Pitahayas from supermarkets and local farmers’ markets.
2. Breadfruits
This fruit’s starchy nature and distinctive flavor give breadfruit its name. It is healthier, more delicious, and savory than dessert. When roasted or fried, breadfruit is a fantastic substitute for potatoes. It can withstand intensely flavored sauces and is a flavorful and creative addition to heavy soups or stir-fries. Look for golden, yellow-colored breadfruit with some brown patches while selecting the ideal piece from the heap of breadfruits in the market.
3. Mangoes
The mangoes from Costa Rica are better than the artificially grown ones you typically get in stores. You can get these brilliant orange morsels at almost every market, and you should eat as many as possible while visiting this Central American country.
Mangoes are high in vitamins and antioxidants, just like many tropical fruits. Mangoes are technically in season from March to June, although you can find them all year long. Please ensure you do not buy overly soft ones, as they will not taste good and are not authentic. To eat like a Costa Rican, cut the mango in half and use a spoon to scoop out the delicious pulp.
4. Granadillas
The hard-shelled Costa Rican fruit, Granadillas, is a favorite of many travelers and locals because of its distinctive taste. Granadillas are a type of passion fruit that provides many health benefits, like passion fruit.
The rugged surface layer of the granadilla is often deep orange. Shake your granadilla gently to check for ripeness. They are fresh if the sac moves around but not too loudly. But, if the inside of the fruit is making noise, avoid buying it and choose another.
5. Papayas
Papayas are a jewel-toned tropical fruit whose out-grown and large versions belong to Costa Rica and are accessible to visitors and locals year-round. In addition to enormous papayas, you can also find different papaya varieties in supermarkets and farmers’ markets.
Papayas are pretty healthy; therefore, adding this fruit to your diet will benefit your body in several ways. Fortunately, you can eat fresh papaya cubes, papaya smoothies, and papaya salsas in Costa Rica anytime and anywhere without wandering much.
Ripe papayas, soft and greenish-yellow, are perfect for including in your diet. Slice your papaya lengthwise and remove the seeds before eating.
6. Guanabanas
Guanabana is one of the most popular and widely used smoothie flavors in Costa Rica. This delicate fruit, having white flesh and a hint of strawberry or pineapple flavor, has a pear-like flavor profile. It is soft, subtle, and nutritious, a perfect addition to your fruit bowl.
Since guanabanas are large, you will usually find them in smoothies, but some supermarkets and larger local farmers’ markets also sell this delicious fruit whole or sliced.
Your guanabana is fully ripe and ready to eat when the outer layer is yellowish-green.
7. Rambutans
The Rambutan, an import from Southeast Asia, has become extremely popular in Costa Rica. Don’t be put off by the unusual appearance; hidden within the soft spikes is a translucent fruit with just the perfect sweetness and sourness that gives it a distinctive taste. The best time to enjoy Rambutans in Costa Rica is during the rainy season, which lasts from May to November.
The amount of vitamin C in rambutans is high, which makes it a perfect addition to your daily fruit intake. They are at their freshest when they are deep crimson with vivid green spikes on the outside.
8. Peach Palm Fruits
The Peach Palm fruit, commonly known as the Pejibaye in Costa Rica, is one of the widely enjoyed fruits of Central America. They are small, round fruits resembling strawberries and are native to South and Central America. Peach Palm tastes both sweet and sour, making it unique and distinctive. As far as the taste of these fruits is concerned, they taste like sweet potatoes.
Not only the taste but the nutritious value of this fruit also holds accountability for the massive fan base of Peach Palms. If you add these to your fruit bowl, you will meet your daily intake of nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, carotene, and ascorbic acid.
Eating Peach Palms is simple. You only need to boil them to enjoy their fabulous flavors. When they are tender, you can enjoy them with fresh cream or mayonnaise. You can add them to freshly prepared soups, cakes, or cookies for that unique taste.
9. Carambolas
Carambolas, commonly known as starfruit, are native to Southeast Asia. The unique shape and distinctive greenish-yellow color of the fruit make it an essential ingredient of every drink and fruit platter served in Costa Rica. Because of its sour taste, Costa Ricans use starfruit to prepare tropical cocktails, delicious fruit bowls, and flavoring salads.
Carambolas are generally nutrient-dense, i.e., containing vitamins, minerals, proteins, fat, and fiber, all in balance. So, by including a starfruit in your daily fruit bowl, you will meet your daily need for vitamins and minerals.
The Wrap Up
Aren’t these fruits making you drool? These are just a few of the uncountable tropical fruits that Costa Rica offers. We hope they will motivate you to try new fruits in addition to the well-known papayas, bananas, pineapples, and watermelons that we have all grown to know and love. Your days in Costa Rica will be full of adventure, hiking, and ziplining, or you might be planning to unwind and relax, sipping your favorite fruit mimosa on your balcony. One thing you can do in both cases is to try these juicy, healthy fruits during your visit to this tropical destination.
You don’t need to wander anywhere in search of these fruits, as the all inclusive villa in Costa Rica you are staying at will provide you with the facility of menu customization. You only need to ask the concierge, and your favorite fruits will be available to keep you fresh and energetic all day.
