Costa Rica and food allergies

[Anonymous]

I should have combined this with my other thread about the drive from the airport to Tulemar, but alas...

My 6YO has food allergies including common ones (eggs, tree nuts, peanuts) and some less common ones like sunflower seeds. If you have experience navigating food allergies in Costa Rica, how was it? I plan to print some cards that list his allergies in both English and Spanish and also research the availability of medical care and have a solid plan in place in the event of an exposure/reaction. Any other tips?

[Anonymous]

Are you doing it solo or through a company? I told our travel agent all my allergies and he made sure to book only trusted accommodations where he knows the kitchens can handle it. I’m also packing a ton of safe snacks and protein bars in my luggage and plan to happily live on fruit for 10 days.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on if the allergy involves derivatives like oil made from sunflower seeds and how sensitive he is to cross contamination, but I think you can get pretty simple food like rice, beans, chicken, and fruit quite easily. If you are self-catering you would especially be ok. The bilingual card sounds like a good idea.

[Anonymous]

I will say that we stayed at the Andaz and they took food allergies very seriously.

[Anonymous]

Do not eat any mole sauces, they contain peanuts. Those are more Mexican anyway.

Watch out for drinks like horchata which obtain cinnamon but sometimes nuts.

If you stick with common Costa Rican food (Casado meal of beans and rice) you should be fine. Watch out for ice cream and bakeries too.

Just tell everyone before you order and when in doubt, don’t eat.