“Has anyone seen fresh cranberries?” “Organic wood roasted chicken – call in today to reserve for Thanksgiving”, “Any recommendations for Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday?”… These types of questions can be read on “Guanacaste Women’s Beach Society” a Facebook Group where expat women and locals have created an online community where they share local interests, news events, sell or buy products, even adopt animals!
Some of the expats have expressed their concern due to a lack of certain foods in the area… as you may know, turkeys, cranberries, pumpkins and many other Thanksgiving traditional dishes are imported, so with a growing community of US families in the region, local supermarkets are facing a shortage of products. An expat, Lauren Nichole Johnson, said “I gave up on the idea of turkey here. We are doing our first annual Taco Thanksgiving with friends…”
Costa Rica has learned a thing or two through many years of promoting tourism as the country’s main source of income; creating memorable experiences for foreigners who spend important holidays in the country. If this COVID 19 pandemic demonstrated anything to us, it’s that home is where the heart is. What more do you need than your loved ones, some beach clothes, and an internet connection?
If you find yourself in a shortage of food supplies, why not celebrate this Thanksgiving festivity in a local restaurant that’s put together a delightful menu that’s for sure to make your Thanksgiving in Costa Rica memorable!
Celebrate in the Exclusive village Las Catalinas
The magnificent town not only offers top ocean views, but an exquisite variety of restaurants, shopping and activities for the grownups and kids. The cafeteria & restaurant Pots and Bowls has a unique business purpose “conscious ingredients and food made with love”, so you´re welcome to enjoy and spend some time here with your family.
If you´re looking for a more elegant dining experience, Santarena Hotel will offer Thanksgiving dinner at 6 pm with a traditional menu combined with a hint of local flavors, like a cranberry dressing with cane sugar for the turkey (as well as the traditional gravy), a stuffed tenderloin, traditional salads with honey dressing, pumpkin pie with cardamom, pecan cupcakes and much more.
Relaxed Thanksgiving
Within the local Surfside Estates, Playa Potrero community, “The Shack ” has prepared an impressive menu that can be served at the table or for takeaway. Their menu includes a roasted turkey, maple glazed ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, camote (sweet potatoes), garlic green beans and carrots, gravy, cranberries, Harlan´s Dinner Rolls and a surprise dessert.
All-inclusive Experience in Flamingo
At Banana Wind Cafe in Margaritaville Flamingo, you and your family can enjoy an all-American traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Don´t worry if you´re not a guest at the hotel, because it’s open to the public. Here’s a hint of what you´ll be able to taste from their menu: Waldorf and potato salads, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, stuffed turkey, beef, and traditional cranberry sauce As for dessert, you can choose between three options: pumpkin pie, apple pie or corn bread…
Jungle Immersed Thanksgiving in Tamarindo
For a different gastronomic experience, Cala Luna Hotel in Playa Tamarindo / Playa Langosta has prepared a special menu for Thanksgiving in Costa Rica. The chef designed a menu that fuses the traditional plates with local foods. Start this dining experience with eggplants and cane sugar, continue with turkey and roasted tomatoes, mashed potatoes (a must!), and to end this marvelous dinner, you must try a variety of pineapple caramelized cane sugar treats, chocolate mousse, or the ginger and blackberry panna cotta.
In the past five years, Costa Rica has experienced the necessity to offer the complete Thanksgiving experience to Americans who have decided to live or invest in this country. Whether it’s a “taco dinner Thanksgiving” or a white-tablecloth experience, the importance of this celebration is to be thankful for the many blessings we have with our loved ones… no matter if it’s in the United States or Guanacaste, Costa Rica, the truth is, “home is where the heart is”.
Written by Laura Villalobos
