Tobías Bolaños International Airport

Tobías Bolaños International Airport is a small, no-frills facility primarily serving domestic routes and private aviation, so don't arrive expecting a sprawling food court. What you will find is a handful of modest snack counters and a compact café near the main departure lounge that keeps things refreshingly local. Think fresh-brewed Costa Rican coffee from highland beans, sweet pan dulce, and simple bocas that remind you exactly where you are before you even board.

The standout option airside is the small café-style counter that serves a rotating selection of típico staples — gallo pinto made properly with black beans, scrambled eggs, and a side of natilla sour cream. If you time your visit right, you might catch warm empanadas stuffed with cheese or potato, the kind of handheld bite that Central American grandmothers have been perfecting for generations. Portions are honest, prices are fair, and the staff genuinely seem pleased to see you enjoying something made with care.

Because SYQ sits just outside the lively Pavas district, savvy travelers grab a proper meal before heading in. The neighborhood offers cheerful sodas — Costa Rica's beloved family-run lunch counters — where a full casado of rice, beans, plantains, salad, and your protein of choice costs just a few dollars. If you have any flexibility in your schedule, eat in Pavas first and treat the airport stop as a chance to grab a good coffee and maybe one last bag of local snacks for the road.