Buena Esperanza

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Review

76 reviews

#27 of 84 Restaurants in Osa Peninsula$$ - $$$, Central American, Costa Rican

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Ratings and reviews

4.0

76 reviews

#27 of 84 Restaurants in Osa Peninsula

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

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PRICE RANGE

$1.00 – $1.00

CUISINES

Central American, Costa Rican

Meals

Dinner, Late Night

features

Location and contact

between Ojo del Mar and Cabo Matapalo Costa Rica

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Is this restaurant good for local cuisine?

Yes

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PRICE RANGE

$1.00 – $1.00

CUISINES

Central American, Costa Rican

Meals

Dinner, Late Night

FEATURES

Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service

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4.0

76 reviews

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Alison S

Anchorage671 contributions

Great neighborhood restaurant and bar

Jan 2020 • none

Great chef. Best seared ahi in a long time. Very fresh. We went there expecting a sandwich bar and it far exceeded our expectations. Chef came out to talk about my celiac GF diet - thought about what he could provide and made suggestions. A restaurant card with english and spanish is required for celiacs traveling in Latin America. Every chef I’ve communicated with really appreciates the written information. Service just a bit below a 5, but good. Went back a second night. Chef greeted us personally 😁. He’s really a great guy and listens well Partner had the panco fried mahi mahi - moist and flavorful. A pineapple chutney accompanied it and was great. I had the chicken w/ coconut and peanut sauce. I asked for the chutney also and it was delicious with the sauce. Basically Martina has a gem of a “neighborhood restaurant and bar”. Very good value for delicious meals.

Written February 5, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LaurenandMark

Raleigh136 contributions

A real home of pura vida

Dec 2020 • none

Vincent and the staff make this little gem an absolute must on the road to/from Carate. We visited after an attempt to river run up to the nearby La Carbonera waterfall. Only a 20-30 minute walk along the main road from Matapalo. Think of your cool neighbor with an outdoor porch and good taste in chill music. Now make the porch 5 times that size, add satisfying, straightforward fare, a full bar, outdoor ping pong, and you’re getting close to Martina’s. We had fresh veggie quesadillas, cold beer and amazing ice cream from a local producer—don’t miss it if they’ve got some! Vincent, our server, shared stories, his zest for life, and some amazing wildlife pictures to top off our visit.

Written January 1, 2021

Lisa

Durham4 contributions

The best meal we had on our trip

Jan 2020 • none

This place came highly recommended by friends who had visited last year and it did not disappoint. Quite possibly the best seared tuna I've ever had. The service was also great.

Written February 6, 2020

filipo l.g.

Anchorage4 contributions

in the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king

Feb 2020 • none

if you're really thirsty and hungry and want to ruin your evening in arguments be sure to end at Buena Esperanza/Martina's. on market day it's fun to see a display of crafts, bringing some civilisation at the edge of the jungle. besides this occurrence, try to avoid. food is average, but service is lousy and bills are up. beware of keeping track of what you order, you might be subject to surprises when the bill comes. it could be understandable if they were local people taking advantage of tourists, but they're pure aliens, gringos! what a contrast with the local restaurants in Puerto Jimenez run by local people. they don't know what to do to please you.

Written January 4, 2021

WilliamDickerson

Tallahassee237 contributions

On the Path

Jul 2021 • none

If for some reason you ever find yourself this far out on the OSA Peninsula you should stop here even if it is just for a smoothie. Everything is fresh and comes from the surrounding area. I had the Tuna Casaba and it was awesome in its simply fresh taste that is one of a kind cause you cant get a meal lie this in the city. The open air dinning is fun and interesting as you watch various animals pass by. Like I said if you ever find yourself out this far.....

Written August 5, 2021

ThePlaceToGoOrNo

Staines14 contributions

You have to go here!

Jan 2020 • couples

I hear the bad reviews of the people who have reviews before me, but if you are me, then this place is a 5 star all the way! Yes, there are some catty vibes from the barman - but I love that. It’s a hodge podge of old hippies, shirtless guys who should probably be wearing shirts, yoga-types and expats. You’ll even hear a few British voices here on a Friday night when they have the market. It’s fun, it’s vibrant and it’s an experience. The food here is SO good and some of the best I had in Costa Rica. Yes, it’s expensive in comparison to some of the meals out there, but who cares when it’s that good?! Have the tuna and have it rare and you won’t be disappointed. Everyone’s there to have a good time. Would I go here again? 110% yes

Written January 30, 2020

Audrey W

Colorado Springs21 contributions

Great food. Terrible music.

Feb 2023 • friends

Best margarita ever and tasty food. But I was so disappointed in the famous Friday night dancing. There was no salsa, merengue, bachata etc. Just reggaeton and American girls dancing by themselves. So different from my memories of dancing in Costa Rica in the past.

Written February 10, 2023

LaraDavis

Sunriver236 contributions

a nice place by day, a fun place by night, and oh the food

Aug 2022 • none

walking back to our hotel from an excursion this was about a halfway point so we decided to stop for a cold beer. we were welcomed graciously and oh that beer was cold. we had another and decided to order a snack - it was on the board as a quesadilla i believe, but it was like the best tostada i've ever had. the prices were a bit steep relative to what you might expect, but not relative to the area, or at all when considering what you are getting - such fresh vegetables and tortillas and meats. and it's prepared right there, right when you order, just about right in front of you. it was a lovely, quiet lunch with only the company of one regular patron and a resident dog or two roaming about minding their own business. The locals call it Martina's, after the owner, and we learned at our hotel later that on Friday nights EVERYONE goes. it's not really our thing but we were sort of encouraged to check it out so we did. talk about a different experience! there were craft vendors selling arts and jewelry and foods and all manner of things; there were ping pong tables set out and music and food specials galore. and it did indeed seem everyone came from all around. the service was still top notch even considering the HUGE crowd of people. i ordered dinner - the beef stroganoff special and i still think about how delicious that was. the nighttime visit was a bit more pricey, but we got a lot more food and several more drinks. it was worth it even so, as like i said, the whole area is pretty remote and people charge what they charge. If i remember correctly it is CASH only, so be mindful of that if you go. if you are staying on the peninsula you can probably walk there and back, but if you are staying in Puerto Jiminez you would want a taxi - and the road is pretty rough at certain times of the year at least. none of that seems to stop people though - a lot of people come down from PJ to indulge in the fun village party that brings the jungle alive at night. so, you can have two different experiences here, whatever suits your fancy. i enjoyed both of mine quite a bit :)

Written December 29, 2022

Diana B

Toronto13 contributions

Good food and atmosphere tainted by the profanatory service

Apr 2019 • couples

As other reviewers have already mentioned, Friday night at Buena Esperanza (aka Martina's) is a must for the Friday night market. My husband and I attended the market and really enjoyed speaking with the local artisans. We purchased some beautiful hand made wooden bowls but did not stay to eat. We returned on a less busy day for dinner and while the food was good, the service was not. We ordered the seared tuna and mahi-mahi. Each was served with rice, salad or slaw and while delicious and well prepared, it didn't feel very 'local. I could have had this meal anywhere. This was the most expensive meal of our trip and thought the atmosphere appeared to be fun and inviting, I'm sorry to say that even though we did our best to speak the language and interact with our server, we did not feel welcome. Very disappointing especially since we saved our trip to Martina's for our anniversary dinner. We really wanted to love this place. Instead, it left a bitter taste in our mouths.

Written April 28, 2019

Tom Schultz

Santiago de Puriscal259 contributions

Friday Night at Martina's ... a MUST

Feb 2019 • couples

Osa: the last untamed part of Costa Rica. That is what you hear as the pitch to visit… and it exceeds expectations, especially on a Friday night at Martina’s To get to the best parts of the peninsula you drive to Puerto Jimenez, which is not much of a port, but started life as a gold mining town. Hot and dusty, you head south of town and immediately the road becomes dirt. Driving about 10-15 km further you notice something else: the power lines have disappeared. You are entering the wild outback of Osa - all out of sight, off the grid and stand alone - solar power, micro hydro and generators . We stayed in Matapalo de Osa, which started life as a surfing destination, and still pretty much is. The laid back, hang loose vibe is immediate as you settle into the Osa lifestyle. There are not many choices to eat in this part of the country , but everyone… every, single person we talked to said “ you MUST go to Martina’s for Friday dinner. When we asked why, we got mostly smiles and the response : “ it is real Matapalo, real Osa, go early to find parking and get to the local market”. We could not pass up an opportunity to get real local color, so off to Martina’s for Friday dinner. The first part is finding Martina’s… it is not on Google Maps as Martina’s… it is the Buena Esperanza. You find it right before a good sized river crossing towards Matapalo ( which if you take incorrectly you can have problems… I lost my front license plate there) . You’ll find two signs: one for Buena Esperanza and one for Martina’s. We arrived right at 4:30 pm - that is when the market opens. Finding the small parking lot already filling, we parked on the side near the restaurant, and strolled in. Suddenly, we were transported back through space and time. The parking lot was filled with ancient Range Rovers, pickups and VW vans. The vendors were all just setting up… it has been a really long time since I saw that much tie dye. The market is a local ‘ artisans market’ , where dozens of aging hippies, counter culture drop outs, yoga infused millennials , and their home schooled semi feral kids were gathering and setting up wares. It was a cornucopia of new age, organic, artisanal foods and handiwork: soaps, essential oils, jewelry , handbags , and organic coffees, chocolate, baked goods and even ice cream. It is said that people come for miles to get the ice cream, since there are few freezers in the area . The tattooed chocolatier with a top-knot bun mingled with the aging French ponytailed jeweler , a tall, straight-haired women in a long tie dyed skirt meticulosity set up her booth of bath and body oils, while chatting with a young gringo with his Tica wife and children in tow, setting up their home grown coffee. Darkness started to fall, and you heard the muffled sound of the generator starting up. Soon the restaurant and market area was filled with light , adding to the already otherworldly festive atmosphere. The sound system started and if you did not feel unstuck in time ( a nod to Kurt Vonnegut) then the playlist pushed you over - from the “Age of Aquarius” to Nirvana, and everything in-between. The crowd continued to arrive , some were even real patrons like us. It turns out that the Friday market is half market, half Friday get together for the Matapalo , Carate and Puerto Jimenez expats, exiles, dropouts, entrepreneurs, and their friends and family. It was like nothing I had seen in a long time… It was wonderful. Then came a roar of what I swear was a big Harley-Davison tricycle ( probably was a quad, but I so wanted it this way) as Martina herself made a grand entrance : Aging, Germanic, tattooed - she looked like she was typecast as she strode off the bike to an almost royal greeting. It was dinner time. By now we were actually getting hungry, resisting eating chocolate and ice cream to spoil dinner. We went into the rancho-like restaurant and bar and were greeted by a young asian American who was our waiter . He asked us where we were from, I said Puriscal. He laughed and replied - “Wow- I worked at a farm here there for two years and even bought this shirt ( a classic Hawaiian one) at a Ropa Americana there. Small World”. I went to the bar to get us drinks and turned out the bartender was from the Boston area, where we moved from. Small World, The Dinner menu gets announced on a chalk board, and there is always at least one vegetarian entry. Being one, I ordered the Gnocchi , while our traveling companions ordered the pork and the chicken. Dinner arrived as a huge surprise - it was wonderfully prepared, presented and tasted fabulous. Here we were in the literal middle of nowhere, no power, few bridges to cross rivers, and we had one of the better meals we have ever had in the country. A big thumbs up for Martina’s! Afterward we did eat some of that local organic chocolate and the Osa famous ice cream, topping off a surprising, amazing, memorable , and delicious Friday night at Martina’s. When you are in Osa… GO.

Written February 22, 2019

Jackson2006

5 contributions

Quirky bar in the jungle

Dec 2018 • family

Really enjoyed our meal at Martina’s, and contrary to some reviews we found Martina really friendly! The bar is colourful, stylish and relaxed, the food was great (delicious tuna) and we met some nice people. We bought the most amazing chocolate at the Friday night market and yes the music was loud later on (we were in an AirBnb almost next door), but it’s only once a week. Approach this bar with an open mind and a relaxed and friendly attitude and you’ll enjoy it.

Written January 4, 2019

Mae LaJ

19 contributions

Excellent food!

Dec 2018 • couples

My husband and I ate dinner here on our honeymoon. He got the mahi mahi and I got the tuna steak. I thought my meal was by far the best in Costa Rica, the tuna was perfectly cooked. The feel is pretty chill and friendly. Prices are pretty high including beer prices but with only a few restaurants to choose from in this area what can you do? Our waitress was a bit rude to my husband who doesn’t speak any Spanish, she was clearly annoyed by his lack of knowing the language.

Written January 2, 2019

Stefan H

3 contributions

Best food in capo matapalo!

Aug 2018 • family

We are travel bloggers and get to see many places. Its a fun spot on fridays but despite the vibe the food is absolutely fantastic! Be sure to have the best plate of food (its pricey $15) for sure!

Written August 17, 2018

Matt K

4 contributions

Great Food, Cold Cerveza, Nice Vibe

Jul 2018 • family

If you are in the area, you are likely staying at a beach house for a while. If you don't feel like cooking you come to Martina's. Luckily, the food is really good and the beer is really cold. Friday's there is a farmers market and all the ex-pat hippies (not meant at all as a bad thing) come out of the woodwork, to make us jealous we don't live here too. It's a very fun and welcoming crowd. Martina is super cool too. Ask for a shot of chile guaro, it's delicious. The smoked pork chop is my favorite. Keep in mind this place is half an hour from town and there's no public electricity, so everything runs on solar and generators. Naturally, it's more expensive than in town, but still less than a similar meal in the States. And the bartenders, especially Paul and Lola, are great. Pura Vida!

Written August 3, 2018

Antje R

Bad Homburg5 contributions

Rip off and unfriendly staff!

Jul 2018 • family

This is the first time ever that I am writing a negative review, but need to share our experience at Martinas. We arrived around 4pm and were the only guests. Wanted to order but were told by the incredibly unfriendly waitress (who did, to begin with, not ask me what I would like to drink or gave me a chance to order but simply brought two beers after my husband had ordered one for himself) that the only food available was Quesadillas, although there was the usual choice of four or five typical lunch dishes at average prices listed on the chalkboard. That we'd have to wait until 6 for a bigger variety. Or maybe at least for half an hour. No further explanation why or until when we'd actually have to wait. So we ordered the Quesadillas since we were really hungry. Right after we had ordered, she told us that the other choices on the board would have been available as well. What shall I say. So the Quesadillas were served and, to be fair, they were really good, although tiny portions. When we asked for the bill about an hour later (still being the only guests), she showed us a number she had typed in a calculator, no receipt or anything. We were more than suprised by the amount and asked whether it included gratuities, but were told it wouldn't, that these would come on top (as previously written on the chalkboard which she had entirely erased in the meantime). Remembering the price for the Quesadillas, we asked her for the price details for the drinks then. Coke 3,000 (USD 4.50), water based Smoothie 3,500 (nowhere else in Costa Rica we ever paid more than 1,500 for a smoothie!) although the chalkboard had previously shown a lower price. When we mentioned that to her, she explained to us that those prices had been the day prices but now we had to pay the evening prices. Ridiculous!

Written July 17, 2018

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