Eat - if you have a taste for it you can find it here. Italian, Thai, Sushi, Mexican, and fresh Seafood to die for. Okay, there is no Greek food. Hint! My current “Table for 1” go to list:
Breakfast/coffee - Nogui’s, La Bodega & Cafe Tico
Lunch/Dinner: El Chilito & FT’s for unbeatable burritos; Seafood is superb at Season’s by Shlomy (along with everything else) & La Palapa right on the beach; Steak – always Patagonia Argentinean Steak House (the spinach & cheese empanada is life altering); Pizza Baula has personal size pizzas with interesting ingredients. Wok N’ Roll Sushi & Oyster Bar for all things Asian. Great BBQ at Longboards and bar food at Sharky’s. My pick for best burgers - Langosta Beach Club and Surf Shack.
For a typical Costa Rican meal, look for the menu item “Casado,” consisting of a large plate of rice, black beans, plantains, a little salad, a tortilla, and your protein option ranging from chicken, beef, pork, or fish. It is also usually the most affordable dining option in town.
I like the above restaurants because as a solo traveler, I don’t want to sit alone at a table in the middle of a crowded dining room. All of the spots above have either bar seating, communal tables, or are just generally social and friendly, so I never feel uncomfortable dining alone. Get to know the friendly bartenders and hosts and you’ll always feel home away from home. And lucky for you, English is widely spoken, but why not practice your Spanish (or Italian, or French, or Portuguese).
What to pack - your swimsuit. It’s very casual here. Men wear shorts in the nicest restaurants and you’ll rarely see women in heels (not easy to walk on the unpaved roads in stilettos). You’re more likely to see people walking in board shorts and bikinis, carrying a surfboard with their dog trotting along behind. For men, a collared shirt might do for one “fancy” night out and summer dress and sandals is typical ladies fashion. Again, it’s hot, and the sun can be unforgiving, so a hat, sunglasses and a sun shirt are a good bet.
Two things you should bring from home that are very overpriced here - sunscreen and mosquito repellent (there is a little pesky thing called Dengue Fever, but hey, it’s paradise otherwise). Everything else you can purchase here. Beach and resort wear boutiques are plentiful, bikini shops on every block. You can even get a custom made bikini at Papaya