TL;DR

* I’m heading to Costa Rica—get ready for a wave of new food inspiration.

* Exploring a country’s cuisine is the best way to experience its culture (and make unforgettable memories).

* Practical tips for eating like a local, even if you don’t speak the language—or know your gallo pinto from your casado.

* Yes, there’s a chocolate farm on my itinerary—expect stories (and maybe recipes) soon!

* There may be a short break in the newsletter while I’m traveling, but I’ll return with new recipes and a full Costa Rican recap.

A Taste for Adventure

If you’re reading this, you probably already know: I believe food is the fastest, most delicious way to connect with a place and its people. As I pack my bags (and, let’s be honest, my stretchy pants) for a much-needed adventure in Costa Rica with my daughter, I’m reminded why I started Hungry AF in the first place—food isn’t just fuel, it’s an experience. And travel is the ultimate excuse to eat with curiosity.

This edition is dedicated to making the most of exploring a country’s cuisine while you’re on vacation—whether you’re off to Central America or just planning a weekend foodie staycation at home.

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Why Eat Like a Local?

Guidebooks and Instagram feeds might highlight the “must-see” spots, but the real magic happens off the tourist track—at the markets, roadside stalls, and family-run sodas (that’s Costa Rican for “mom-and-pop diner”). Local food tells the story of a country: its history, its climate, its people, and its passions.

Plus, let’s be honest—no one remembers the airport sandwich, but everyone remembers the first time they tried fresh ceviche on a beach at sunset.

How to Dive In: My Go-To Tips for Culinary Exploration

1. Start at the Market

Skip the hotel breakfast, grab a coffee, and head straight to the local market. Ask vendors what’s in season, what’s popular, and what they eat. In Costa Rica, I’ll be hunting for fresh fruits (hello, guanábana and maracuyá) and homemade tortillas.

2. Eat Where the Locals Eat

If a place is packed with locals—especially at odd hours—it’s probably worth trying. Don’t be afraid to ask your Uber driver, Airbnb host, or new friends for their favorite spots.

3. Try Something New (and Unpronounceable)

Every country has a signature dish that sounds intimidating but tastes incredible. In Costa Rica, that’s gallo pinto (rice and beans, but so much more), casado (the ultimate lunch plate), and tres leches cake for dessert. If you don’t know what it is, order it anyway.

Sidebar: I was first introduced to Tres Leches cake when friends brought it to my first baby shower. When that same baby was older, for a middle school project where everyone was assigned a country for which to bring a home made dish, she was assigned - you guessed it - Costa Rica! It is a full-circle moment for us that 7 years later, her baby sister would convince me to take the same trip. You can get our favorite Tres Leches Cake recipe right here!

4. Take Notes for Home

Snap photos, jot down ingredients, ask for recipes. I bring a tiny notebook for food discoveries—half the fun is recreating these flavors in my own kitchen (and sharing them with you in future newsletters). The souvenirs I always bring home for myself include spices or other ingredients I won’t be able to find at home, and at least one cookbook showcasing authentic recipes from that location. When friends or co-workers travel, they always bring me back the same kind of souvenirs!

5. Embrace the Unexpected

Travel is unpredictable. Sometimes the best meal is the one you stumble upon when your plans go sideways. Lean in. Those places are also often not in posh environments. Do not turn your nose up at the hole-in-the-wall location or roadside food truck - these are where the culinary treasures can be found!

Sweet News: Chocolate Farm Tour Incoming

One of the highlights of our trip? A hands-on tour of a Costa Rican chocolate farm. I’ll be learning (and tasting) how chocolate goes from cacao pod to table, and you can bet I’ll bring back stories, photos, and maybe even a recipe or two. If you’ve ever wondered what “bean to bar” really means, stay tuned—I plan to document the whole delicious process.

What I’m Excited to Taste in Costa Rica

I’ve got my eye (and appetite) on a few Costa Rican classics:

* Gallo Pinto: The national breakfast—rice, beans, and Lizano sauce (don’t worry, I’ll bring back a recipe).

* Casado: Hearty lunch plates with meat, rice, beans, salad, and plantains.

* Ceviche: Fresh fish, lime, and a little heat—perfect for a tropical afternoon.

* Chifrijo: A bar snack that combines chicharrón (crispy pork), beans, and pico de gallo.

* Costa Rican Chocolate: Straight from the source, with a full farm-to-table experience. And of course, all the coffee.

If you’ve been to Costa Rica and have a favorite dish or hidden gem, reply to this email—I’d love your recommendations!

Another sidebar: you may know that I’ve been on a health journey. 26 lbs down over the past 6 months! More to go. But I met with both my doctor and registered dietician before this trip, and both had the same advice: eat what you want on vacation. Enjoy it! Besides, food outside of the United States is often more healthy than the options here. I have found this to be 100% true, as I’ve always returned from tropical trips having lost a few pounds - partly from all the fresh produce and seafood, and partly from all the activities upon which I embark. Besides, a margarita or two never hurt anyone ;-)

Your Challenge: Be a Culinary Explorer (Wherever You Are)

You don’t have to cross an ocean to eat like a local. This week, try one of the following:

* Visit a market or ethnic grocery store you’ve never explored.

* Ask a friend or neighbor for a family recipe from their heritage.

* Cook a dish from a country on your travel bucket list (bonus points if it’s Costa Rican!).

* Try a new chocolate treat and imagine you’re on the farm with me.

Share your discoveries with me—I might feature your story or recipe in a future edition.

Programming Note: Hungry AF on Pause (But Not for Long)

Because I’ll be traveling (and, let’s be honest, eating my way through Costa Rica and a chocolate farm), you might not see a Hungry AF newsletter for the next couple of weeks. But don’t worry—I’ll be back soon with fresh recipes, new stories, and a full recap of our Costa Rican food adventures, chocolate included.

In the meantime, follow along on all the normal social media platforms for real-time updates, foodie finds, and a few behind-the-scenes travel moments.

Stay hungry, stay curious,

Jennifer

P.S. Have a Costa Rica tip or a must-try dish? Hit reply, DM me, or tag me on social—let’s make this a community adventure!

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