Explore Guides
Local food map
Puerto Viejo (Costa Rica)
Hotels in area
Main course
Vegetarian
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
450kcal
12gProtein
80gCarbs
10gFat
9gFibre
300 gServing
* Per serving · 300 g. May vary.
Rice and Beans
How to order / say it
Say it
Rice and Beans — [Ryes and Beans]
Order
I'd like Rice and Beans, please.
Locally
Me gustaría Rice and Beans, por favor.
Say locally
Classic Caribbean dish of rice and beans cooked in coconut milk.
Why try it?
This dish is central to Caribbean culture in Puerto Viejo, known for its straightforward but rich flavors, representing a staple food that is both nutritious and filling.
How it tastes
Fragrant with coconut, the creamy rice melds with tender beans, subtly spiced and perfect as a side or a main dish.
Origin & History — first documented: 1950
Brought by Afro-Costa Rican communities in the 20th century, rice and beans became a staple for its simplicity and adaptability, firmly embedding itself in the local diet.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🌾 200 g white rice
- 🫘 200 g red beans
- 🥛 400 ml coconut milk
- 🥕 1 bell pepper
- 🧄 1 onion
- 🌿 1 tsp thyme
- 🧄 2 cloves garlic
- 🧂 1/2 tsp cayenne
- 🧂 1 tsp salt
- 🧂 1/2 tsp black pepper
Method
- 1 Sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic.
- 2 Add rice, beans, coconut milk, and spices.
- 3 Simmer until rice is cooked and creamy.
More from Puerto Viejo
© Wikimedia Commons
Snack
Meat
Patí
Pah-tee
Spicy meat-filled pastry popular in Puerto Viejo's street markets.
🌿
Bread
Vegetarian
Pan Bon
Pahn Bon
A dense, sweet bread flavored with spices and dried fruits.
Dessert
Vegan
Plantinta
Plan-tin-tah
Pastry filled with sweet mashed plantains and spices.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Rondon
Rondón
Rawn-dawn
Hearty seafood stew with coconut milk and vegetables.