Tea in Costa Rica includes a modest but diverse mix of black tea, green tea, herbal infusions, iced tea, and specialty blends, shaped by tourism, wellness trends, and international retail access. In cities such as San José, tea appears through supermarkets, cafés, hotels, and health-focused stores offering both mainstream tea bags and higher-end loose-leaf options. In smaller towns and rural areas, tea is more commonly consumed at home, with herbal infusions often playing a larger role than traditional tea varieties. The tea market is influenced by eco-tourism, health-conscious consumers, and exposure to global beverage trends, which encourage experimentation beyond coffee. Compared with dominant drinks such as coffee and fresh fruit juices, tea occupies a secondary but growing niche supported by wellness positioning and convenience. Bottled teas and specialty imports continue to expand availability across retail channels. As a result, tea in Costa Rica reflects a developing market shaped by tourism, sustainability, and evolving consumer preferences.
