Gluten Free in Playas del Coco

One of the most enjoyable things I used to do when traveling was trying local foods! But since I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease (an auto-immune disease where gluten found in wheat, rye, barley and oats is toxic to my body), any type of travel has been a challenge. If you're Celiac like me, don't despair - you can still be gluten free in Playas del Coco! Let's take a look:

Luna de Plata

It took me a long while in life before I found crepes again, I remembered them being called sweet milk pancakes when I was a kid. Then after my rediscovery of crepes, I was diagnosed with Celiac, arghhh! Bistro Luna de Plata offers gluten free menu items and gluten-free crepes! Eat in or on the inviting courtyard patio. Luna de Plata is located 3.1 km from our condo.

Citron Restaurante

Serving Latin American fusion cuisine, Citron Restaurante is located in the Pacifico Retail Village, just a 24-minute walk or 1.9 km drive from our condo. They offer gluten free dishes including salads, stir fry and seafood.

Kaixo Restaurant & Showroom

This new and very popular restaurant in Playas del Coco (3 km from our condo) offers gluten free options, but as they mention below, they are technically not gluten free, as with most restaurants. But it's great to have them acknowledge potential cross contamination issues! Here's what Kaixo has replied to a customer question on TripAdvisor about gluten free menu items:

"Yes, we have gluten free options, we aren't a gluten free restaurant but we offer to our clients gluten free food. We do take care about the cleaning side to avoid contamination, but for strict allergies we do not recommend for safety.

Our breakfast, meals and dinners are full of options like ommelettes, sweet and salty toasts, desserts, smoked salmon, different kinds of potatos and bread. Also gluten free beer ;)"

The Lookout Restaurant

Open Tuesday through Sunday and 1.7 km or a 25-minute walk from our condo, The Lookout Restaurant has amazing views and a great selection of gluten-free menu items - check out this positive Celiac gluten-free reply on TripAdvisor from the Canadian/chef owner:

"We do not offer a 'gluten free menu' but we will happily accommodate your dietary needs. Many of our items are gluten free already and our famous Tuna Poke Nachos can be made with corn tortilla chips instead of the usual wonton chips, making them gluten free. Additionally, with enough advanced notice we can prepare you something special, off-menu. We are here to serve! 

Villa Italia 

Gluten-free options are available at this Italian restaurant! Villa Italia is 2 km (a 26-minute walk) from our condo.

Gluten Free Grocery Store Shopping in Playas del Coco

The main choice for gluten-free grocery shopping is at the modern Automercado store located on the right-hand side going into Coco; it's 1.7 km or a 23-minute walk away from our condo. According to Automercado Category Buyer, Juan Jose Porass, the 13 Automercado stores throughout Costa Rica carry 19 gluten-free brands including Glutino, Betty Crocker, Gullon, Pasta Zara, Schnitzer and Gullon. Products are said to include gluten-free beer, bread, granola, flour, jams, brownies, cereal and cereal bars. Of course, there's an abundance of fresh fruit to savour including pineapples and bananas.

And before you visit, there's an easily-Google-translatable Facebook page for people with Celiac Disease in Costa Rica.

Be sure to check the RentOurCostaRicaCondo list of 10 Best Restaurants in Playas del Coco, along with my celiac-challenged cruise vacation, Travel Writer Review: Norwegian Getaway.

And remember, you can Rent Our Costa Rica Condo for as low as USD $25 per night in the Green season (April through October)!!

Pura vida!

Connie