The Holiday Season is here, and while in the U.S., families bake Christmas cookies to share, down here, we unwrap tamales filled with flavor and tradition. Even though Thanksgiving is not a holiday in Costa Rica, you can still celebrate with turkey, or you may decide to embrace typical Costa Rican dishes instead. This Thanksgiving in Costa Rica, experience a different kind of holiday warmth with a Pura Vida vibe. Read on to discover the tasty dishes you could discover on your trip.
The Flavor of Guanacaste: Simple and Fresh
When spending Thanksgiving in Costa Rica, you’ll notice food plays a crucial role in creating community and expressing gratitude.
Local produce is always more flavorful than what you can buy in supermarkets, and in Guanacaste, going to a feria (an outdoor market) or fruit stand is an excursion in itself. Go and buy one of everything you have never seen before! Keep your eyes open for pitahaya (dragon fruit), guayaba (guava), carambola (star fruit), and papaya in November!
In addition to tropical fruits, corn, plantains, beans, squash (such as ayote), and seafood should also be included on your list. You can enjoy ayote soups or eat it roasted as a side dish for the holiday. Hunt down the truck selling seafood, driving around the area for fresh deals.
If you are not up to cooking while on vacation, a stay in a Costa Rica villa with a chef is another option.
Dishes You Have to Try
Once you’ve settled in, it’s time to explore the country’s culinary traditions—starting with these local favorites. You can make these dishes at your Costa Rica villa with chef, or hire a local to guide you on your culinary journey.
Gallo Pinto
This dish of rice and beans is the typical breakfast in the country. With Salsa Lizano and cilantro adding to its flavor, it may become your new favorite hearty breakfast. You can also order it at local restaurants, such as The Shack, Carpe Diem, Surf Box, Estero Azul, and Nasu.
Casado – Costa Rica’s Typical Meal
A casado is a balanced local dish that people eat for lunch and dinner. The word casado means “married,” and while some locals often say it refers to how the ingredients come together on a single plate, others trace the name back to the generous, home-cooked lunches traditionally prepared for married men who needed a substantial midday meal. A typical casado comes with rice, beans, a protein (choose from chicken, pork, beef, or fish), salad, and fried plantains. It’s colorful and served everywhere from family kitchens to local sodas (small, typical restaurants).
Tamales Navideños
Making tamales is a process that requires an assembly line, making it perfect for a group. Filled with pork, carrots, red peppers, green beans, rice, and sometimes chickpeas, tamales are wrapped in banana leaves; two tamales are tied together to form a piña. Serve with coffee for breakfast or a late-afternoon snack.
Tres Leches and Arroz con Leche
These two desserts are famous in Costa Rica and reflect comfort and deliciousness. They are the perfect sweet treat after a satisfying meal.
Both are made with milk, condensed milk, and evaporated milk. Tres leches is soaked in the mixture, while arroz con leche is cooked in it. Some people add raisins to their arroz con leche.
Bring Costa Rica to Your Thanksgiving Table
Thanksgiving in Costa Rica is about savoring connection and nature — not missing your traditions from back home. It is time to try something new and be open to other experiences.
Tropical Homes’ Tips for a Costa Rican Thanksgiving:
- Hire a private chef to prepare a locally inspired dinner.
- Visit a farmers’ market for fresh tropical produce.
- Book a coffee or chocolate tour as a cultural add-on.
- End the night with Guanacaste coffee and tres leches by the pool.
Featured Villas for Your Thanksgiving Getaway
Tropical Homes features rentals perfect for groups celebrating Thanksgiving in Costa Rica.
These rentals cover the four locations in the Flamingo area:
- Casa Royal
7 Bedrooms | Sleeps up to 14 | Playa Potrero (Beachfront)
To make your vacation life easier, this Costa Rica villa with a chef offers private service and direct beach access. You receive two daily meals; guests cover the cost of groceries. It’s ideal for family gatherings or private dinners on the oceanview balcony. Located within walking distance to restaurants, shops, and grocery stores in Playa Potrero, about 15 minutes on foot to Playa Flamingo (on the beach), you could get by without renting a car.
- Casa Ayla
9 Bedrooms | Sleeps up to 18 | Mar Vista, Playa Flamingo
This spacious multi-unit property, featuring ocean views, two pools, and multiple kitchens and outdoor dining areas, is ideal for group cooking or private chef services. It includes BBQ areas, a yoga palapa, and various terraces. Guests have access to Mar Vista’s restaurant Gracia, fitness center, hiking trails, and tennis/pickleball courts (extra fee). All four units (with different group sizes) can also be rented independently.
- Villa Vista Pacifico
5 Bedrooms | Sleeps up to 10 | Pacific Heights, Playa Potrero
This modern luxury villa, offering panoramic ocean and marina views, is situated in the hills above Playa Potrero. It features a fully equipped kitchen, rooftop terrace with 360° views, and an infinity-edge pool overlooking the Pacific. Guests can cook together or arrange a private chef service. Since it’s only a 7-minute drive to Potrero, with its restaurants, grocery stores, and the pristine Playa Penca and Playa Prieta nearby, it’s a convenient location.
- Casa Cazenovia
3 Bedrooms + Studio | Sleeps up to 11 | Las Catalinas
This townhouse is just steps from Playa Danta, featuring a modern kitchen, two outdoor dining areas, a private lap pool, and a rooftop terrace with a BBQ. It’s suitable for families or small groups who enjoy cooking and dining outdoors. Located just a 2-minute walk from Las Catalinas town center, cafés, and restaurants. Its units can also be rented independently.
A Costa Rican Thanksgiving: Your Questions Answered
Q: Can I find traditional Thanksgiving foods in Costa Rica?
A: Yes! Many larger supermarkets (like AutoMercado or PriceSmart) stock items such as turkey, cranberries, canned pumpkin, and stuffing mix in November. It is also a great time to try some local substitutions, such as tamales, roasted plantains, and tropical fruit pies, to add a Costa Rican twist to your holiday meal.
Q: What if I don’t want to cook while on vacation?
A: Tropical Homes of Costa Rica manages a few villas that already include a private chef so that you can enjoy a special dinner without any of the stress. Our chefs are flexible and can accommodate special dietary needs, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and more.
If you’re staying at a home that doesn’t include chef service, our Concierge will gladly help you book a private chef for your stay.
Q: Are restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day?
A: Most restaurants in Guanacaste are open, and some offer special holiday menus.
Q: How do Costa Ricans celebrate this time of year?
A: Although Thanksgiving isn’t a local holiday, December is a time of family gatherings, homemade tamales, and in some areas, fireworks. The season emphasizes the importance of gratitude and spending time together.
Giving Thanks in Pura Vida Style
Thanksgiving in Costa Rica means spending time on the beach instead of doing holiday chores.
Costa Rica’s laid-back vibe teaches us to slow down, live with gratitude, and savor each moment. Gratitude flows when surrounded by stunning nature. Here, you will hear the monkeys howl and see colorful parrots flying overhead, and think, “This place is paradise.”