Rice Costa Rica

Looking for rice in Costa Rica? We carry everyday Costa Rican rice, parboiled rice, Indian basmati, Italian Arborio and Carnaroli rice for risotto, plus convenient paella and gallo pinto options.

Rice is one of the most important pantry staples in Costa Rica. It appears alongside beans in gallo pinto, on almost every traditional casado, with chicken and vegetables in arroz con pollo, and as the base for countless everyday lunches and dinners.

The right rice depends on what you are cooking.

For everyday Costa Rican meals, start with traditional white rice.

For Indian food, curries or dishes where you want long, aromatic grains, choose basmati.

  • For risotto, use Arborio or Carnaroli.

  • For faster preparation, parboiled rice can be useful.

And if you want most of the seasoning already handled, our prepared gallo pinto and paella options save several steps.

Shop Featured Rice

Where To Buy Rice In Costa Rica

We sell rice for several completely different styles of cooking through our Rice category.

That distinction matters.

A bag of everyday Costa Rican white rice is not interchangeable with Arborio.

Basmati will not give you the same creamy risotto as Carnaroli.

A seasoned paella kit is not the same pantry ingredient as plain rice.

Instead of treating every bag as simply “rice,” start by deciding what you want to cook.

For Costa Rican everyday meals, look at Tiquicia de Oro, Luisiana or Don Pedro.

For quick-cooking rice, choose Imperio Parboiled.

For Indian and Middle Eastern-style meals, choose Chandni Chowk Excel Basmati.

For Italian risotto, choose Scotti Arborio or Carnaroli.

For convenient prepared dishes, look at Goya Gallo Pinto, Vigo Paella or the Goya Black Paella Kit. Our current category contains 10 rice products spanning these different styles.

Rice In Costa Rican Food

Rice is part of everyday food culture in Costa Rica.

The Costa Rica Tourism Board describes gallo pinto as the country’s national dish. It combines cooked rice with black or red beans, onion, sweet pepper and cilantro and is commonly served for breakfast with eggs and other sides.

Rice is also a central part of the casado.

A typical casado pairs white rice with beans, vegetables or salad, plantains and a protein or other main item.

Then there are dishes such as:

  • Arroz con pollo

  • Arroz con camarones

  • Arroz cantonés

  • Rice and Beans

  • Gallo pinto

  • Casados

  • Rice bowls

  • Soups

  • Stuffed vegetables

  • Rice with seafood

  • Rice with beans

Because rice appears in so many meals, it makes sense to keep more than one type in the pantry.

Costa Rican White Rice

For everyday cooking, plain white rice is usually the most versatile choice.

Use it with:

  • Black beans

  • Red beans

  • Chicken

  • Beef

  • Pork

  • Fish

  • Eggs

  • Vegetables

  • Stews

  • Curries

  • Salsa

A neutral white rice allows everything else on the plate to provide the stronger flavor.

This is the style to keep on hand if you make gallo pinto or casados regularly.

Luisiana Rice

Our Luisiana Rice comes as two 4kg packages, for a total of 8kg.

It is a Costa Rican product made with white rice and added vitamins. The current product information describes it as a premium 99.9% whole-grain selection and recommends room-temperature storage.

The large format makes it particularly practical for:

  • Families

  • Shared households

  • Restaurants

  • Hotels

  • Vacation rentals

  • Meal-prep kitchens

  • People who cook rice nearly every day

Eight kilograms is a lot of rice, so this is not the package we would choose if rice is only an occasional side dish.

For a Costa Rican household where arroz and frijoles are regular staples, the larger format makes considerably more sense.

Tiquicia De Oro Rice

Tiquicia de Oro gives us another large everyday Costa Rican-style rice option.

Our current package contains three units with 5kg total and is labeled 80% whole grain.

Its ingredient list includes rice along with added niacin, zinc, thiamine, folic acid, selenium, vitamin B12 and vitamin E.

This is the type of rice to choose for general household cooking rather than a specialized dish such as risotto.

Use it for:

  • Casados

  • Gallo pinto

  • Arroz con pollo

  • Rice and beans

  • Rice bowls

  • Everyday side dishes

  • Lunch meal prep

Don Pedro Rice And Red Beans Combo

We also carry a Don Pedro package combining rice and red beans.

The current bundle contains three rice packages totaling 1.8kg together with two red-bean units totaling 900g. It is made in Costa Rica.

The attraction here is simple: two of the most basic foods in a Costa Rican pantry are already bundled together.

You can use them for:

  • Rice and beans

  • Gallo pinto

  • Casados

  • Bean bowls

  • Lunch meal prep

  • Soups and side dishes

If you are already buying both rice and beans, a combination pack can simplify stocking the pantry.

Rice For Gallo Pinto

Gallo pinto is one of the most obvious reasons to keep cooked rice in the refrigerator.

The Costa Rica Tourism Board’s recipe uses cooked rice together with black or red beans, some of the bean broth, onion, garlic, sweet pepper and cilantro.

One practical point matters:

Gallo pinto is often better suited to previously cooked rice than freshly made soft rice.

  • Cook the rice for dinner.

  • Refrigerate the leftovers.

  • Use them with beans the next morning.

The grains have had time to firm up, which makes them easier to fry and mix without becoming mushy.

Ready-Made Goya Gallo Pinto Rice & Beans

If you want a much quicker route, we also carry a 198g Goya Gallo Pinto Rice & Beans mix.

It combines long-grain rice with black beans, red and green peppers and seasoning.

  • This is very different from buying a large bag of plain rice.

  • It is a convenience product.

Choose it when:

  • You need a fast pantry meal

  • You do not have cooked beans ready

  • You are cooking for one or two people

  • You want something easy in a vacation rental

  • You do not want to prepare rice and beans separately

For traditional batch cooking, buy plain rice and beans separately.

For speed, the prepared mix has an obvious advantage.

Rice And Beans On Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast

There is another important rice-and-bean dish in Costa Rica that should not be confused with gallo pinto.

Rice and Beans, especially associated with Limón and Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, is influenced by Afro-Caribbean cooking and traditionally uses coconut milk and spices.

Gallo pinto and Caribbean Rice and Beans may start from similar pantry ingredients, but the final dishes are distinctly different.

For Caribbean-style Rice and Beans, plain white rice gives you the flexibility to add coconut milk, spices and your preferred beans yourself.

Parboiled Rice In Costa Rica

Our Imperio option is parboiled rice.

Parboiled rice goes through a treatment involving soaking, steaming or heating, and drying before the rice reaches your kitchen. Codex defines parboiled rice as rice that has been soaked in water, heat-treated so its starch gelatinizes, and then dried.

Our Imperio Parboiled Rice is also pre-cooked, which helps it absorb water more quickly during preparation.

This makes it useful for people who prioritize quick and predictable cooking.

Imperio Parboiled Rice

  • Our Imperio Parboiled Rice comes as three 2kg units.

  • That gives you 6kg total.

  • The only listed ingredient is parboiled pre-cooked rice.

It is Kosher certified and fortified with nutrients including folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin B3 and zinc.

Choose this option if you want:

  • A large pantry format

  • Quick-cooking rice

  • Separate grains

  • Easy everyday preparation

  • Rice for batch cooking

After opening, reseal the package tightly and keep it somewhere cool and dry.

Parboiled Rice Vs Regular White Rice

Parboiled rice is not the same as ordinary raw white rice.

The rice undergoes soaking and heat treatment before milling and final cooking.

FAO notes that parboiling moves some nutrients from the outer portions of the grain toward the starchy interior before milling.

From a cooking standpoint, many people like parboiled rice because the grains tend to remain distinct and it is forgiving to prepare.

Regular white rice is often preferred when you want the familiar texture used in traditional everyday dishes.

Neither is universally better.

The difference is mainly processing, texture and how you intend to use it.

Basmati Rice In Costa Rica

If you cook Indian food, curry or biryani, basmati belongs in a different category from standard Costa Rican rice.

Our Chandni Chowk Excel Basmati Rice comes in a 4.54kg package.

It contains 100% long-grain basmati rice and is produced in India. The product is characterized by long grains, a natural aroma and delicate flavor.

Basmati works particularly well with:

  • Curries

  • Biryani

  • Dal

  • Butter chicken

  • Tandoori chicken

  • Chickpeas

  • Lentils

  • Grilled meat

  • Middle Eastern-style rice dishes

  • Rice bowls

What Makes Basmati Different?

Basmati is an aromatic long-grain rice.

When cooked correctly, the grains lengthen and remain relatively separate rather than becoming creamy or sticky.

  • That is almost the opposite of what you want from risotto rice.

  • The natural aroma is part of the appeal.

This makes basmati a good choice when the rice itself should contribute fragrance to the meal.

How To Cook Basmati Rice

Preparation methods vary, so follow the instructions on the package first.

A common approach is to rinse the rice until the water becomes clearer, then cook it with a measured amount of water.

Some cooks soak basmati before cooking to help the grains elongate.

After cooking, let it rest briefly before fluffing with a fork.

Avoid aggressively stirring cooked basmati if you want long, separate grains.

Rice For Curry

Basmati is our first choice when serving rice with:

  • Indian curries

  • Thai-inspired curries

  • Chickpea curry

  • Lentil dal

  • Chicken curry

  • Lamb curry

  • Vegetable curry

The long grains and aromatic flavor work particularly well with heavily seasoned sauces.

That does not mean ordinary white rice cannot be used.

If you already have Costa Rican white rice in the pantry, it will still make a good meal.

Basmati simply creates a different texture and aroma.

Arborio Rice In Costa Rica

For Italian risotto, use rice designed for risotto rather than ordinary long-grain rice.

Our Scotti Arborio Rice comes in a 1kg package and is produced in Italy.

It has larger grains and a high starch content, characteristics that make it suitable for creamy risotto.

Use Arborio for:

  • Mushroom risotto

  • Seafood risotto

  • Parmesan risotto

  • Pumpkin risotto

  • Asparagus risotto

  • Risotto Milanese

  • Rice pudding-style recipes where a creamy texture is desirable

Why Arborio Rice Works For Risotto

Risotto depends on starch.

As rice cooks and is stirred with liquid, starch is released into the surrounding broth.

That helps create the creamy texture associated with risotto without needing to turn the entire dish into a cream sauce.

Scotti’s Arborio is specifically described as a large-grained, high-starch Italian rice intended for risotto.

Standard long-grain white rice does not behave the same way.

If you want proper risotto texture, choosing the correct rice makes a noticeable difference.

Carnaroli Rice In Costa Rica

We also carry Scotti Carnaroli Rice in a 500g package.

Carnaroli is another Italian rice commonly associated with risotto.

Like Arborio, it is chosen because it can create the creamy consistency required for the dish while maintaining grain structure.

The 500g size is useful if you make risotto occasionally and do not need a full kilogram.

Arborio Vs Carnaroli Rice

  • Both are excellent choices for risotto.

  • Arborio is probably the name most home cooks recognize.

Carnaroli is another classic Italian risotto rice and is often chosen when the cook wants grains that remain well-defined while still releasing enough starch to make the dish creamy.

  • For most home cooking, either works.

  • Choose Arborio if you want the familiar classic.

Choose Carnaroli if you want to experiment with another traditional Italian risotto rice.

How To Make Risotto

A basic risotto method starts with aromatics such as onion or shallot.

  • Add the dry rice and briefly toast it in the pan.

  • Wine may be added depending on the recipe.

  • Then add warm broth gradually while stirring periodically.

  • Continue adding liquid as the rice absorbs it.

Finish when the rice is tender but still has some structure and the surrounding liquid has become creamy.

Butter and Parmesan are often added at the end.

The important part is not to cook Arborio or Carnaroli exactly as you would cook a pot of ordinary white rice.

The technique is different because the goal is different.

Rice For Seafood Risotto

Both Arborio and Carnaroli work particularly well with seafood.

Try risotto with:

  • Shrimp

  • Mussels

  • Calamari

  • Salmon

  • Corvina

  • Mixed seafood

Use a seafood or vegetable stock and add delicate seafood late enough in the process that it does not overcook.

For something easier, our prepared paella products provide another route to seafood-and-rice dishes.

Paella Rice In Costa Rica

We currently carry two prepared paella options:

  • Vigo Paella Valenciana

  • Goya Black Paella Kit

  • These are not bags of plain paella rice.

They are convenience products with seasoning and additional ingredients already included.

That distinction is important if you are following a traditional paella recipe that calls for plain rice.

Vigo Paella Valenciana

Our Vigo Paella Valenciana comes as two 539g units.

The rice is already seasoned with ingredients including dehydrated vegetables, garlic, spices and saffron.

The kit also includes seafood and vegetables, including squid and mussels, and carries a shellfish allergen warning.

It can be prepared in approximately 20–25 minutes and can be served on its own or expanded with additional seafood or meat.

  • Choose Vigo if convenience is the priority.

  • You do not need to source every seasoning separately.

Goya Black Paella Kit

Our Goya Black Paella Kit comes in a 539g package.

It is designed for Spanish-style black paella and includes calamari and mussels.

The kit is prepared through a simple three-step process, takes approximately 30 minutes and provides about eight half-cup servings according to the current product information.

Black paella has a completely different appearance from yellow Valencian-style paella.

If you want an easy seafood rice dish with dramatic presentation, this is one of the most distinctive rice products we carry.

Plain Rice Vs Prepared Rice Mixes

Our Rice category includes both.

Plain Rice

Better when you want:

  • Control over seasoning

  • Your own recipe

  • Batch cooking

  • Gallo pinto

  • Casados

  • Curries

  • Risotto

  • Everyday side dishes

Prepared Rice

Better when you want:

  • Fewer ingredients

  • Faster preparation

  • Built-in seasoning

  • A convenient pantry meal

  • Something easy in a vacation rental

  • Neither is universally better.

A household can keep plain rice for regular cooking and one prepared option for days when nobody wants to start from scratch.

Which Rice Should You Choose?

For everyday Costa Rican meals, choose Tiquicia de Oro or Luisiana.

  • For rice and beans already bundled together, choose Don Pedro.

  • For quick-cooking parboiled rice, choose Imperio.

  • For Indian food and curries, choose Chandni Chowk Excel Basmati.

  • For risotto, choose Scotti Arborio or Scotti Carnaroli.

  • For prepared gallo pinto, choose Goya Gallo Pinto Rice & Beans.

  • For a convenient Valencian-style paella, choose Vigo.

  • For black seafood paella, choose the Goya Black Paella Kit.

The most expensive or specialized rice is not automatically the best rice.

It depends on the dish.

Long-Grain Rice Vs Risotto Rice

Long-grain rice is intended to remain relatively separate when cooked properly.

  • Risotto rice is selected partly for its starch behavior.

  • That means they produce very different textures.

Choose long-grain rice for:

  • Gallo pinto

  • Casados

  • Rice bowls

  • Basmati dishes

  • Beans and rice

  • Side dishes

Choose Arborio or Carnaroli when you specifically want:

  • Risotto

  • Creamy rice dishes

  • Italian preparations

Using long-grain rice for risotto usually will not produce the same creamy result.

Using Arborio for gallo pinto would be unnecessarily complicated and would give you the wrong texture.

What Is White Rice?

Codex defines white or milled rice as rice from which all or part of the bran and germ have been removed during milling.

That process creates the familiar light-colored rice used in many Costa Rican dishes.

White rice generally cooks relatively quickly and has a neutral flavor.

  • Its neutrality is one of its biggest culinary advantages.

  • It works with almost anything.

Rice For Casados

For a traditional casado, use straightforward white rice.

Costa Rica’s tourism authority describes casado as a plate commonly built around white rice and beans alongside plantains, vegetables or salad and other components.

  • You do not need basmati or Arborio here.

  • A simple everyday Costa Rican-style rice is the right tool.

  • Prepare enough for lunch and keep leftovers for gallo pinto.

Rice For Arroz Con Pollo

Arroz con pollo is another meal where everyday rice makes the most sense.

You want grains that absorb seasoning while remaining suitable for a large mixed dish.

Add ingredients such as:

  • Chicken

  • Sweet pepper

  • Onion

  • Garlic

  • Cilantro

  • Vegetables

  • Stock

  • Seasoning

  • The exact Costa Rican recipe varies by household.

Large packages such as Luisiana, Tiquicia de Oro or Imperio make sense if arroz con pollo is something you prepare for gatherings.

Rice For Fried Rice

Leftover cooked rice works particularly well for fried rice.

Refrigerating rice allows the grains to firm up, making them easier to stir-fry without turning soft and sticky.

Use leftover rice with:

  • Eggs

  • Chicken

  • Pork

  • Shrimp

  • Vegetables

  • Soy sauce

  • Ginger

  • Garlic

  • Green onion

This is also a useful way to avoid wasting rice left over from the previous day’s dinner.

Rice For Meal Prep

  • Rice is one of the easiest foods to batch cook.

  • Prepare rice once and divide it among several meals.

For example:

  • Monday: rice, black beans and chicken

  • Tuesday: rice bowl with vegetables

  • Wednesday: fried rice

  • Thursday: rice with fish

  • Friday: use remaining rice for gallo pinto

  • If you do this regularly, large packages make sense.

If rice is only an occasional side, buying 8kg at once is probably unnecessary.

How Much Rice Should You Cook?

  • The correct amount depends on how central rice is to the meal.

  • If rice is a small side, you need less.

If you are making gallo pinto, arroz con pollo, paella or a rice bowl, you need more.

Remember that dry rice expands significantly as it absorbs water.

FAO data illustrates that roughly 100g of raw white rice can produce more than twice its weight once cooked because of water absorption.

It is easy to cook too much if you estimate based only on how small the dry grains look.

Fortunately, leftover rice is useful.

How To Cook White Rice

The exact water ratio depends on the rice and your preferred texture, so the package instructions should always come first.

A general stovetop method is:

  • Rinse if your chosen product or recipe calls for it.

  • Place rice and the recommended amount of water in a pot.

  • Add salt if desired. For everyday seasoning options, see our sea salt guide.

  • Bring to a boil.

  • Reduce the heat.

  • Cover.

  • Cook until the liquid is absorbed.

  • Remove from heat and let the rice rest before fluffing.

  • Avoid repeatedly lifting the lid while the rice is cooking.

Should You Rinse Rice?

  • This depends on the rice and what you are making.

  • Rinsing can remove surface starch and loose material.

For basmati, rinsing is commonly used when you want distinct grains.

For risotto, you generally do not want to aggressively wash away the surface starch that contributes to creaminess.

Prepared seasoned rice mixes should be prepared according to their own package directions rather than automatically rinsed.

Follow the product and recipe.

Rice Cooker Vs Stovetop

Both work.

A rice cooker is useful if you make rice constantly because it removes much of the monitoring.

Add the rice and appropriate amount of water, start the machine and let it handle the cooking cycle.

Stovetop cooking gives you more direct control and does not require another appliance.

For most everyday white rice, either method can work well once you understand your preferred water ratio.

How To Keep Rice From Becoming Mushy

Several things can cause overly soft rice:

  • Too much water

  • Cooking too long

  • Using the wrong type of rice

  • Excessive stirring

  • Not allowing rice to rest

For ordinary long-grain rice, avoid stirring continuously while it cooks.

For risotto, on the other hand, stirring and gradual liquid addition are part of the method.

That difference is another reason the type of rice matters.

How To Keep Rice From Sticking

  • Use the correct water ratio.

  • Keep the heat low once the rice reaches a simmer.

  • Use a pot with a good-fitting lid.

  • Let the finished rice rest briefly before fluffing.

  • For basmati, rinsing can help keep grains separate.

For risotto, some sticking and starch release are expected because creaminess is the goal.

How To Store Dry Rice In Costa Rica

  • Costa Rica’s heat and humidity make pantry storage important.

  • Dry rice absorbs moisture from the surrounding environment.

FAO notes that rice is hygroscopic, meaning its moisture content changes in response to surrounding humidity. High moisture also creates better conditions for insects and microorganisms.

Keep dry rice:

  • Tightly sealed

  • Somewhere dry

  • Away from direct sunlight

  • Away from the stove and steam

  • Protected from insects

  • Off damp floors

  • Inside a food-safe container after opening large bags

This is particularly important with 4kg, 6kg or 8kg purchases because the package may remain open for weeks.

Storing Bulk Rice In Costa Rica

If you buy a large quantity, do not leave the entire bag loosely folded in a humid pantry.

Transfer rice into sealed food-storage containers.

You can divide a large purchase among several containers rather than constantly opening the same large one.

This also makes it easier to notice any moisture or pest problem before it affects your entire supply.

Large Luisiana, Imperio and basmati packages are much easier to manage this way.

How To Store Cooked Rice Safely

Cooked rice should not stay at room temperature indefinitely.

Cool leftovers promptly and refrigerate them in covered containers.

When reheating, heat the portion you intend to eat thoroughly.

For meal prep, dividing rice into smaller containers helps it cool more quickly and makes portions easier to manage.

If you make rice specifically for gallo pinto the following morning, refrigerate it rather than leaving it on the stove overnight.

Can Cooked Rice Be Frozen?

  • Yes.

  • Cooked rice freezes well.

Cool it, portion it and place it in suitable freezer containers or bags.

Freeze portions sized for individual meals.

This works particularly well if you buy rice in bulk but do not want to cook every day.

Frozen cooked rice can be useful for:

  • Quick lunches

  • Fried rice

  • Rice bowls

  • Side dishes

  • Emergency meals

Is Rice Gluten-Free?

  • Plain rice is naturally gluten-free.

  • That includes plain varieties such as white rice and basmati.

  • Prepared rice products are different.

Seasoned paella, gallo pinto mixes and other packaged dishes contain additional ingredients, so customers who require strict gluten avoidance should check the ingredient and allergen information for that specific product.

For example, our Vigo Paella includes multiple seasoning ingredients and carries a shellfish warning because squid and mussels are included.

Never assume a prepared rice dish has the same ingredient profile as plain rice.

Rice For Vegetarian Meals

Rice is easy to build into vegetarian meals.

Combine it with:

  • Black beans

  • Red beans

  • Lentils

  • Chickpeas

  • Tofu

  • Eggs

  • Cheese

  • Vegetables

  • Avocado

  • Salsa

  • Curries

One of the simplest meals is rice, beans, vegetables and avocado.

For a more specialized dish, use Arborio or Carnaroli for mushroom risotto.

Rice For Vegan Meals

Plain rice is plant-based.

Use it as a base for:

  • Black bean bowls

  • Chickpea curry

  • Vegetable stir-fry

  • Lentil dal

  • Caribbean Rice and Beans

  • Tofu bowls

  • Vegetable burrito bowls

Prepared mixes should be checked individually because additional ingredients may include animal products.

Rice Vs Quinoa

Rice and quinoa are both useful pantry staples but behave differently.

Rice has a milder flavor and is more deeply connected to traditional Costa Rican cooking.

Quinoa has a different texture and provides more protein and fiber than many refined white rice products.

You do not need to choose one permanently.

Keep rice for traditional meals and use quinoa when you want a different grain-style base.

We also carry a wide range of white, red, black and tri-color quinoa.

Rice And Black Beans

Few food combinations are more relevant in Costa Rica.

Rice and black beans can become:

  • Gallo pinto

  • Casados

  • Rice bowls

  • Burritos

  • Soups

  • Tacos

  • Simple side dishes

We also carry organic, agroecological, canned and bulk black beans, making it easy to order both pantry staples together.

Cook both in larger batches and you already have the base for several meals.

Rice And Red Beans

Red beans can be used anywhere you would like a different bean texture or flavor.

Our Don Pedro package already combines rice with red beans.

Red beans also work in gallo pinto; Costa Rica’s tourism authority explicitly includes either black or red beans in its gallo pinto recipe.

Which bean you choose is partly regional and partly household preference.

What Is Rice Called In Costa Rica?

Rice in Spanish is:

Arroz

Useful searches include:

  • Rice Costa Rica

  • Arroz Costa Rica

  • White Rice Costa Rica

  • Arroz Blanco Costa Rica

  • Basmati Rice Costa Rica

  • Arroz Basmati Costa Rica

  • Risotto Rice Costa Rica

  • Arroz Arborio Costa Rica

  • Parboiled Rice Costa Rica

  • Arroz Precocido Costa Rica

  • Paella Rice Costa Rica

  • Arroz para Paella Costa Rica

  • Rice Delivery Costa Rica

Because arroz is such a broad category, adding the style you need will usually produce more useful results.

Rice Delivery In Costa Rica

We let you order rice together with everything else needed for the meal.

Add rice with:

  • Black beans

  • Red beans

  • Chicken

  • Grass-fed beef

  • Pork

  • Fish

  • Seafood

  • Eggs

  • Fresh vegetables

  • Coconut milk

  • Spices

  • Salsa

  • Hot sauce

  • Sea salt

  • Olive oil

  • Broth

You can browse our complete Rice selection for current options.

We deliver groceries throughout multiple areas of Costa Rica, including the GAM, Costa Ballena, Southern Pacific, Central Pacific, Nicoya Peninsula and Guanacaste coast. Current areas include San José, Heredia, Escazú, Santa Ana, Uvita, Dominical, Ojochal, Jacó, Manuel Antonio, Santa Teresa, Sámara, Nosara, Tamarindo, Flamingo, Playas del Coco, Liberia and other communities.

Check our delivery locations for current coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rice In Costa Rica

Can You Buy Rice Online In Costa Rica?

Yes. We carry everyday Costa Rican rice, parboiled rice, basmati, Arborio, Carnaroli and prepared rice dishes through our Rice category.

What Rice Do People Eat In Costa Rica?

Plain white rice is a major everyday staple and appears in meals such as gallo pinto and casados.

What Rice Is Used For Gallo Pinto?

Everyday cooked white rice works well. Gallo pinto combines cooked rice with black or red beans, bean broth and aromatics such as onion, sweet pepper and cilantro.

Do You Sell Costa Rican Rice?

Yes. Our current selection includes Costa Rican products such as Luisiana and the Don Pedro rice-and-red-bean combination.

Do You Sell Large Bags Of Rice?

Yes. Our current options include multi-kilogram packages such as 6kg of Imperio Parboiled Rice, 8kg of Luisiana Rice and 4.54kg Chandni Chowk Excel Basmati Rice.

Do You Sell Basmati Rice?

Yes. We carry 4.54kg Chandni Chowk Excel Basmati Rice from India. It contains 100% long-grain basmati rice.

What Is Basmati Rice Good For?

Basmati is particularly well suited to curries, biryani, dal and dishes where you want aromatic, separate long grains.

Do You Sell Arborio Rice?

Yes. We carry 1kg Scotti Arborio Rice from Italy. It has large grains and high starch content and is intended for risotto.

Do You Sell Carnaroli Rice?

Yes. We carry 500g Scotti Carnaroli Rice.

What Rice Is Best For Risotto?

Use a high-starch Italian rice such as Arborio or Carnaroli rather than ordinary long-grain white rice.

What Is Parboiled Rice?

Parboiled rice is soaked and heat-treated before drying and milling. Our Imperio option is also precooked to absorb water more quickly during final preparation.

Do You Sell Parboiled Rice?

Yes. We carry Imperio Parboiled Rice in three 2kg packages.

Do You Sell Prepared Gallo Pinto?

Yes. We carry a 198g Goya Gallo Pinto Rice & Beans mix containing long-grain rice, black beans, red and green peppers and seasoning.

Do You Sell Paella Rice?

We carry prepared paella options from Vigo and Goya.

What Is In Vigo Paella?

Vigo Paella Valenciana includes seasoned enriched rice, vegetables, spices and saffron, along with seafood ingredients including squid and mussels. It contains shellfish.

Do You Sell Black Paella?

Yes. Our Goya Black Paella Kit includes calamari and mussels and is designed for Spanish-style black paella.

Is Rice Gluten-Free?

Plain rice is naturally gluten-free. Prepared and seasoned rice products contain additional ingredients and should be checked individually.

Can Cooked Rice Be Frozen?

Yes. Cool it, divide it into meal-size portions and freeze it in suitable containers.

How Should I Store Rice In Costa Rica?

Keep dry rice tightly sealed and protected from heat, humidity, insects and moisture. Rice readily absorbs moisture from humid air, making proper storage particularly important in tropical climates.

Do You Deliver Rice?

Yes. We deliver groceries to numerous areas throughout Costa Rica. Current coverage is listed on our delivery locations page.

Shop Rice In Costa Rica

If you are searching for Rice Costa Rica, start with what you are actually cooking.

For everyday Costa Rican meals such as casados, arroz con pollo and gallo pinto, choose one of our traditional large-format rice options such as Luisiana or Tiquicia de Oro.

  • For a pantry combination of rice and beans, look at Don Pedro.

  • For faster everyday preparation, choose Imperio Parboiled Rice.

For curries, biryani and aromatic rice dishes, choose Chandni Chowk Excel Basmati Rice.

For homemade risotto, choose Scotti Arborio or Carnaroli.

For a fast gallo pinto-style pantry option, choose Goya Gallo Pinto Rice & Beans.

For convenient Spanish-style seafood rice, choose Vigo Paella Valenciana or the Goya Black Paella Kit.

Browse our full Rice collection and add the rice that fits your kitchen to your next Market & More grocery order for delivery across Costa Rica.

Before finalizing your grocery order, read Market & More customer reviews on Facebook. You can also check delivery locations for current coverage.