Top 5 Foods to Eat in Puerto Viejo
Your Puerto Viejo Foodie Guide!
Puerto Viejo is in the province of Limón in what is better known as the Caribe. Being about 4 hours southeast of San Jose on Costa Rica’s Caribbean side, Puerto Viejo it is not as touristy or crowded as the pacific coast. How can I describe this less-developed paradise? Think wild, untouched jungle with quaint yoga studios hidden within, tranquil white sand beaches, an abundance of organic chocolate made by local cacao farmers, savory Caribbean eats & desserts prepared with love, a deeply rooted respect for nature and a leisurely pace of life that beats to the rhythm of reggae.
There are so many reasons I happily endure the 4-hour bus trek here, but what keeps me coming back is, you guessed it, the food! The food here is the best in all of Costa. This melting pot of Afro-Caribbeans and Indigenous Natives brings forth a creative distinctive cuisine prepared in open-air kitchens with a highlight on ingredients such as coconut milk, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, thyme and pepper. If and WHEN you visit this paradise these are the top 5 foods you must try!
1) Rice & Beans
The classic dish of the Caribe is Rice & Beans. Yes, this is the official name of this dish. It’s the Caribbean version of Gallo Pinto prepared with coconut milk, thyme and Panamanian peppers and is typically served with chicken drenched in coconut sauce (although you can also get it along side red meat, fish or vegetarian). It’s savory yet sweet and it’s absolute perfection. You can find this dish pretty much at any soda in Puerto Viejo, but my favorite spots to enjoy this coconut goodness is Lidia’s Place, Soda Riquisimo, Soda Ghetto Girl or this guy (pictured above) who sets up shop on Saturdays on the beach in Puerto Viejo.
2) Local Chocolate
Chocolate is not only a thing here it’s THE thing. Puerto Viejo is the epicenter of chocolate production in Costa Rica with heaps of cacao farmers, chocolate makers & chocolateries. Although chocolate is a product enjoyed worldwide few people know where it comes from, the history behind chocolate or its production secrets. Learn and taste your way through this epicenter by visiting one of the many local cacao farms or chocolate producers that offer public tours, such as Caribeans, Chocorart, or Cacao Trails. Learn how cacao pods are harvested, how the chocolate is made, and, of course, sampling along the way.
Now if you’re a chocoholic like myself you will most definitely get your chocolate fix at Puerto Viejo’s Annual Chocolate Festival held every October. With 2 days of chocolate tastings & tours you’ll be sure to satisfy the strongest of chocolate cravings. My favorite event during this festival is the Chocolate & Liquor Pairing. 5-6 different chocolateries sampling their finest chocolate creations paired with wine, whiskey or rum. Can you say chocolate wasted?!
Before leaving town make sure to stock up on some homemade brownies. Brownies are everywhere here. I guess they have to find something to do with all of this cacao! Swing by Bread & Chocolate (hello, the most brilliant restaurant name ever!) and get your hands on their famous Cacao Nib Brownie. The brownies here are perfectly rich, dense & fudgy. They also have brownies with mint, coconut or walnuts. But I have to admit, as famous as the brownies are at Bread & Chocolate, my favorite brownies are found in some little hole in the wall Caribbean bakery on the main road next to Reggaeland. I don’t think this place even has a name! I not only found the best brownie in the world, but I also found myself here everyday feening like a crack addict as I hit up my local chocolate dealer and whispered to her softly “do you have the brownies?!“. Can you say chocolate problems?!
3) Rondón
Rondón is a Caribbean Coconut Seafood Stew made with different types of seafood, coconut milk, plantain, vegetables, peppers and spices. Rondón can be loosily translated to Run Down, because it is typically made of whatever fish is leftover at the end of the week. With that being said, local sodas only serve this on the weekends. If you want an even more authentic Rondón experience, rent a bicycle and hit the beaches where you will find an array of local vendors selling his/her creamy concoction beachside every weekend.
4) Patí
A trip to Puerto Viejo is not complete without a Patí. This popular street food is basically an empanada filled with spiced meet. It’s very similar to a Jamaican Patty with the perfect kick of heat. No need to visit a restaurant to get your hands on this. Just take a stroll around town and it won’t be long before you hear a local yell “Patí” with their basket of spicy goodies in hand.
5) Pan Bon
Ah, yes, more sweets! Pan Bon is a dark, sweet bread made with spices, coconut & dried fruit and just as it’s name states, it’s some damn “good bread”. It’s crunchy on the outside & fluffy on the inside. The bread is sweetened with tapa de dulce, which is a kind of unrefined sugar similar to molasses. Again, you can find this bread at any soda or local bakery. I haven’t had too much of it, but the one at Lidia’s Place is delicious!
There you have it, the top 5 foods to eat in Puerto Viejo! So what are you waiting for!? The Puerto Viejo Chocolate Festival sells out a year out. JK! But hurry up and get here so you can experience an unforgettable gastronomic experience!
