I've been to CR three times but.. I don't remember how much the cost of eating out is, at all, and I'm wondering if maybe it's changed (gone up?) much since the last time I visited in 2006.

We will be visiting the Caribbean--Cahuita and Pto. Viejo, Arenal and the San Jose area. Anybody have any suggestions for restaurants and can anyone guide me in the right direction for approximately how much I should be budgeting for food? Thanks!

There's a pretty wide variety of prices there. You can grab a good meal at a soda for $2-4, or pay closer to American prices at some of the restaurants. I always budget for American prices and then look for smaller, local places that charge less.

We paid about $25 total per meal for the two of us. Our favorites in Arenal were El Novillo and La Choza de Laurel. Grano de Oro in San Jose was charming and had good food.

I spent two weeks in Puerto Viejo last year and you can read my "Quick and Dirty Resturant Review" at http://sean-costarica2007.blogspot.c...viejo-and.html

Edith's is a long time Cahuita restaurant. It is not in the main part of town, but on the beach near the police sub-station. It is famous for its authentic West Indian style food.

Be prepared to wait! Took us over 2 hours with only one other couple in there. I'm not sure who was doing the serving, Edith or not, but she had a pretty good attitude going on which I was NOT prepared for. In hindsight, we should have left as it cost us the opportunity to spend a little time in Cahuita National Park before we had to leave. Food was good, not all that memorable, however.

When I handed her the money (we stood a LONG time waiting for whoever it was to come to the register to take our $$), she refused to reach her hand forward to meet me halfway. Held her hand back and looked at me as if to say, "You're gonna have to make ALL the effort, lady; I ain't doing NOTHING for you!" It was obvious and uncomfortable. I have never heard that story from anyone else about that restaurant.

Hey there -- we just returned from CR and Pt. Viejo -- we really liked the Chili Rojo right on the main street. It had a funky mix of Thai, Middle Easter and of course CR dishes. We also liked a little restaurant going out of PT. Viejo towards Punta Uva. It's across from the Patagonia Steak House and right on the beach - I think it was called De Paso, sorry about that - excellant seafood and pastas. We also like Loco Naturale and Jungle Love, these last two being a little more expensive around 45 - 50 for four while the previous ones were about 25 - 30 for four.

In Arenal we loved Anch'io - an Italian place with awesome salads, pizza and pasta and around 25 for four. The Cafe Vienna right next door had terrific pastries and excellant coffee.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for your replies!! You've been very helpful in budgeting.. I figure that I'll be on the safe side if I go with about $35 per day per person for food (including lunch and dinner.. our breakfasts are all included at our hotels).

I'm so excited, can't wait to go back to CR!!