3 Best Restaurants in The Osa Peninsula and the South Pacific, Costa Rica

This kitschy Italian spot within earshot of the surf serves savory bruschetta and 16 varieties of the town's most authentic pizza: crispy, with a thin crust, Neapolitan-style. The four-seasons pizza is a triumph, with thin, spicy pepperoni, flavorful ham, olives, eggplant, peppers, onion, and zucchini. The medium size is more than big enough for two. Save room for the knockout gnocchi, pillow-soft dumplings made with potatoes and cheese and bathed in olive oil and rosemary. Other choices include tortelloni in cream sauce and filet mignon. Tiramisu, piled high with whipped cream, and key lime pie do dessert duty. Japanese lanterns add a colorful touch, along with fuchsia and lime tablecloths. To find the place, look for the "La Piña" sign.

This alfresco restaurant tucked beside a bona fide Boeing 727 (minus the engine) delivers generous portions of upscale pastas, succulent meats, and tasty fish and seafood, including Peruvian-style ceviches. During the day kids can frolic in the swimming pool and adults can order spicy tropical chicken wings. If you've had one too many cocktails, you can see if a room is available in the plane that operates as a BnB.

No worries if you can't decide between lunch or the beach, because you can get both at this cheerful, casual restaurant and beach club, complete with swimming pool and showers. Just steps from Playa Ballena, Villa Leonor allows you to stroll down to the beach between courses or chill out with ice-cold beer while the kids play in the pool. Typical casados are a bargain, with fish or chicken and lots of sides. Local lobsters, broiled in garlic butter, can be ordered ahead. The restaurant also offers mixed chicken and fish fajitas, excellent fruit smoothies, and tropical cocktails. Service is sprightly, and the friendly owners are usually on hand to greet customers.