A long-standing Tamarindo restaurant on a lagoon populated by crocodiles — fresh catch of the day, whole fish, and cold Imperial beer on an open-air terrace above the water. Come for the lagoon setting and fresh catch rather than culinary ambition.
Why It Belongs on the List
La Laguna del Cocodrilo earns its name — the restaurant is built on stilts over the edge of an estuary where American crocodiles are a visible, nonchalant presence below. The seafood menu centers on whatever was caught that morning: whole fish, ceviche, shrimp in garlic, tuna tartare. Spotting a 10-foot crocodile drifting below your table is a Tamarindo dining experience unlike any other.
What Stands Out
- Tables over a crocodile estuary — wild
- Fresh catch of the day — whatever came in that morning
- Tuna tartare and whole grilled fish are the moves
- one of the most memorable natural settings for a meal in Costa Rica
- Crocodile sightings virtually guaranteed