In Costa Rica, you will find all basic cuts of meat for beef, pork and chicken. Only some stores have a seafood section. It can be difficult to find very specific cuts or certain meats like ground chicken, ground pork and turkey products in some supermarkets.

While Costa Rica has a vibrant culinary scene, there are certain items—particularly high-quality international snacks and specific ethnic ingredients—that can be surprisingly difficult to find outside of high-end "gringo" grocery stores in San José. Authentic Asian ingredients (like specific types of Sichuan peppercorns or high-grade miso), Middle Eastern staples (like fresh tahini or sumac), and specialty European cheeses (like aged Gruyère or authentic burrata) are often expensive imports with limited availability. Additionally, if you are looking for "American-style" processed snacks—like specific flavors of Oreos or niche cereal brands—you might be disappointed by the local selection. Spicy food is another "hard-to-find" category; despite being in Latin America, traditional Costa Rican cuisine is very mild, and finding truly "hot" peppers or authentic spicy salsas can be a challenge. In 2026, while "Auto Mercado" stores carry more imports than ever, travelers should expect to pay double or triple the U.S. price for these "luxury" items, making it a "pro-tip" to bring your own favorite spices or specialized snacks if you are planning an extended stay in the jungle or on the coast.