Agua de Sapo
Traditional drink made from brown sugar, lime, and ginger, completely vegan and allergen-free.
veganvegetariangluten-free
La Fortuna, nestled at the base of Arenal Volcano, offers hearty Costa Rican casados, fresh lake fish, and rustic countryside cuisine shaped by local farms and volcanic soil. This eco-tourism hub blends traditional Tico fare with international influences catering to adventure travelers.
Signature dishes, decoded
What's safe, what to ask about, and what to skip — based on your dietary profile.
Arroz con Leche
Sweet rice pudding made with milk, cinnamon, and sugar, always contains dairy and sometimes eggs as thickener.
vegetariangluten-free⚠ dairy⚠ egg
Arroz con Pollo
Chicken and rice dish cooked with vegetables and chicken stock, often colored with achiote and containing soy-based seasonings.
gluten-freedairy-free⚠ soy⚠ shared-pan
Casado
Traditional plate with rice, beans, plantain, salad, and choice of meat or fish, though the beans are sometimes cooked with pork fat.
pescatariangluten-freedairy-free⚠ fish⚠ shared-pan
Ceviche de Pescado
Fresh raw fish marinated in lime juice with cilantro, onions, and peppers, safe only when made with freshly caught lake or ocean fish.
pescatariangluten-freedairy-free⚠ fish
Chifrijo
Popular bar snack of rice, beans, chicharrón (fried pork), and pico de gallo, always contains pork and often uses lard in preparation.
gluten-freedairy-free⚠ shared-fryer
Empanadas de Queso
Fried or baked corn turnovers filled with cheese, containing dairy and often fried in shared oil with meat products.
vegetariangluten-free⚠ dairy⚠ shared-fryer
Gallo Pinto
Costa Rica's iconic breakfast of rice and black beans sautéed together, typically cooked in vegetable oil but sometimes made with lard or chicken stock.
veganvegetariangluten-free⚠ shared-pan
Olla de Carne
Hearty beef and vegetable soup with yuca, plantain, and root vegetables simmered in beef bone broth.
gluten-freedairy-free⚠ shared-pan
Patacones
Twice-fried green plantain slices, typically vegan but often cooked in shared fryers with meat products.
veganvegetariangluten-free⚠ shared-fryer
Tortilla de Maíz con Natilla
Handmade corn tortilla served with Costa Rican sour cream (natilla), contains dairy and may be cooked on shared griddles.
vegetariangluten-free⚠ dairy⚠ shared-pan
Tres Leches Cake
Sponge cake soaked in three types of milk (evaporated, condensed, heavy cream), contains dairy, eggs, and wheat gluten.
vegetarian⚠ gluten⚠ egg
🏨 Looking for somewhere safe to eat?
No hotels have been curated for la fortana yet — check back soon.
Where to eat in la fortana
Curated dining and street food — vetted for clean kitchens, hygiene, and standout local flavor.
🍽️ Dining$Hygiene: good
La Fortuna downtown sodas
Cluster of small family-run eateries (sodas) along the main road serving authentic casados and gallo pinto where you can directly ask cooks about ingredients and preparation methods.
vegetarianpescatariangluten-free
Curated pick
🍽️ Dining$$Hygiene: excellent
Don Rufino
Long-standing La Fortuna restaurant known for accommodating dietary restrictions and offering both traditional Tico dishes and international options with ingredient transparency.
vegetarianpescatariangluten-freedairy-free
Curated pick