Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula Restaurants

Seafood and fresh fish are tops here, followed by fast food—pizza, tacos, barbecue—to satisfy the hordes of hungry surfers and beachgoers. But there are many sophisticated restaurants, too, offering Asian-fusion, Italian, French, and international cuisine, especially in the tourist-heavy beach towns of Hermosa, Flamingo, Tamarindo, Nosara, and Sámara. Many restaurants, especially tourist-oriented ones with dollar-denominated menus, do not include the 13% tax plus mandatory 12% service. By law, menus are required to show the total price including tax, but many owners flout this law. Be sure to ask if taxes are included; otherwise you may be surprised by a bill that’s 25% higher than you expected.

Sort by: 3 Recommendations {{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }} 0 Recommendations
CLEAR ALL Area Search CLEAR ALL
Loading...
  • 1. Casa Inti

    $$$

    This friendly lunchtime Peruvian café has a revolving menu of flavorful delights made from fresh ingredients that are almost as beautiful as they are tasty. Try the ceviche (a slight change from the usual Costa Rican) in the breezy palapa or the lomo saltado or the eggplant---we promise you'll want to return every day for lunch. Note the odd hours so you don't miss out.

    Playa Grande, Guanacaste, 50308, Costa Rica
    8520--5411

    Known For

    • Authentic Peruvian food
    • Fresh salads
    • Tasty homemade desserts

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sat.--Mon. No dinner
  • 2. Aqua Sport

    $$

    There’s not much “aqua sport” going on at this Peruvian beachfront restaurant, unless drinking margaritas in a hammock somehow qualifies. It’s the kind of place you drop by on day one, and find yourself coming back to for the remainder of your vacation—blame the setting of Adirondack chairs lining the beach combined with fresh fish like grilled snapper served with shoestring fries. There are seven types of ceviche and a seafood soup that is good enough to make you miss the sunset between bites. For something absolutely non–Costa Rican, try the Peruvian Causa, a spicy potato-layered dish with tuna, octopus, or shrimp. You can also order familiar favorites like tacos, burgers, and surf and turf. Service is slow and prices are high, but there’s live music and tables in the sand.

    Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
    2672–0151

    Known For

    • Delectable fish tacos
    • Cheerful location on the beach with a tree swing for the littles
    • Tato burger—juicy beef patty with bacon, cream cheese, and whiskey
  • 3. Café Playa Negra

    $$

    This surf café features such Peruvian specialties as ceviche and causa (cold mashed potatoes studded with shrimp and tuna chunks). The menu also includes a few familiar favorites like hamburgers and BLTs. Desserts are homemade and delicious, and the pisco sour cocktail is not to be missed. 

    Main street, Playa Negra, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
    2652–9351

    Known For

    • Ceviche and sushi
    • Pisco sour cocktails
    • Beautiful presentation

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Oct.
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

No Restaurants Results

Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:

There are no results for {{ strDestName}} Restaurants in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:

Recommended Fodor’s Video