Signature dishes to try on your tropical getaway
One of the best ways to immerse yourself in local culture during your tropical getaway is to taste some local specialties. From learning about the origins of traditional recipes to exploring unique flavours, tasting dishes that your destination is known for is an essential part of travelling. To help satisfy your inner foodie, we’ve compiled a list of delicious signature dishes from four vacation hotspots that you need to try on your next vacation.
People all around the world love Mexican cuisine, especially guacamole! Created by the Aztecs in the 1300s, this delicious dish traditionally consists of mashed avocados, sea salt and lime juice with the option to add extra ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, garlic and chilli peppers! Whether you prefer to eat your guacamole with tortilla chips or add it as a topping to your tacos or enchiladas, freshly made guacamole is a must-try on your Mexican vacation. If you want to learn how to replicate these flavours back home, Paradisus Playa Del Carmen La Esmeralda offers cooking classes with authentic guacamole recipes.
Kick off a day in paradise with a delicious serving of Gallo Pinto, Costa Rica’s national dish that has captured the hearts of locals and tourists alike. Although the recipe for this breakfast staple is simple, white rice and red beans, this hearty meal is known for its robust flavour with notes of ginger and exotic condiments. At Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica, you can try authentic Gallo Pinto for breakfast or as a delicious side dish with dinner at the resort’s upscale Market Café.
During your Bahamian vacation, take advantage of your oceanside setting and try conch, the island’s signature food. A popular way to enjoy this seafood specialty are conch fritters which consist of minced conch with celery and an array of spices that are then battered, deep-fried and served with dipping sauces. Bahamas Restaurant at Riu Palace Paradise Island is a great place to try this traditional dish. This poolside eatery offers a variety of conch dishes such as chowders and salads to suit travellers of all tastes.
No visit to Jamaica is complete without a serving (or two) of Jerk Chicken! Jerk chicken is dry-rubbed or marinated in the island’s famous jerk spice then grilled to perfection. Jerk refers to the style of cooking, meaning that foodies can opt for a variation that suits their palate and dietary preference such as beef, pork, seafood or vegetables. At Royalton White Sands Montego Bay, you can sample this island favourite at the Jerk Hut, a beachfront hotspot for casual bites.