THE LORD OF THE BAGELS

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Half a dozen bagels- $5.25

I’ve found them…bagels.  No it can’t be, I say to myself. But the closer I get, I quickly realize all my Costa Rican dreams have come true.

I grab them and huddle in a corner. Myyy Preciousss, I repeat over and over again as others reach over me for coffee filters. I’m lost in a carbohydrate trance.

Rob takes them out of my hands. “These are hard as a rock, are you sure you want them? You might need a trip to the dentist after eating one. I’m going to put them back. Let’s get the five dollar can of whipped cream instead.”

We never bought the bagels, but I know where they are. Yesss, my precious is waiting for me, but let me find a good dentist first.

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:35-04:00 December 7th, 2011|Categories: food|Tags: , , |23 Comments

About the Author:

Nadine is the author of the best-selling series, Happier Than A Billionaire. Join her as she navigates living as an expat in the sometimes confusing, always beautiful, country of Costa Rica.

23 Comments

  1. tobel cosiol September 21, 2015 at 12:33 pm - Reply

    why doesnt boston baegel have a phone number ti2tcc@hot mail.com

  2. Suzanne January 26, 2012 at 1:55 pm - Reply

    The bread products here leave so much to be desired. I love going to the new Walmarts.. the bakery section LOOKS awesome.. then you buy it and bite into it.

    • admin January 26, 2012 at 6:48 pm - Reply

      I agree. Some things just never taste like home. But once I start complaining, I remember how sweet the mangos and pineapples are. You can’t have everything in this world, and I suppose I will have to give up real good bagels for a while!

  3. Robert December 12, 2011 at 6:35 pm - Reply

    I love bagels, but $5.25 for a half dozen hard bagels….dunno, seems pretty high to me. Is there a CR equivalent you’ve learned to replace it with?

    • admin December 15, 2011 at 1:46 pm - Reply

      There are some places closer to San Jose that sell bagels, but if I remember correctly, they were pricey too. I’ve just learned to live without them. Way too many carbs in them for me, I usually fall asleep soon after eating one!!

  4. Cheapchick December 10, 2011 at 8:10 pm - Reply

    Okay people. Buy this woman’s book – its amazingly funny and she needs her bagels dagnabit!

    • admin December 15, 2011 at 1:43 pm - Reply

      Thanks Tammy!! Hope you are still taking some great pics with that camera of yours!

  5. Deb December 9, 2011 at 9:18 pm - Reply

    Boston Bagels in Pavas…..diagonally across from the US embassy……they have the best sweet cheese bagels…..and all the other ones are pretty darn good too!!!! On your next trip to the big city, stock up, slice, freeze and eat slowly (except for the sweet cheese ones…I don’t think they freeze well and they are soooo good, there are never any left!!!!

    • admin December 10, 2011 at 7:23 am - Reply

      I’ve been to the US Embassy plenty of times and never noticed it. How could I have passed up the chance of stocking up? I will certainly remember this, and you are right. When I see some I will stock up and eat slowly.

      Although Rob has a rule he made up. If the food is in the house for longer than 24 hours, he has the right to eat it all. I don’t know when this rule started, or if it really is a rule. All I know is I like to eat ice cream very slowly. A carton can last 3 weeks. Rob finds this unacceptable and has been known to polish the carton off without telling me.

      He then puts the empty carton back in the fridge. What a guy.

  6. Lily December 8, 2011 at 10:07 am - Reply

    There is a local chain that make bagels in San Jose, it is call Bagelmen. They have several locations in San Jose but not outside.
    They make bagels every day and they are great.

    • admin December 10, 2011 at 7:18 am - Reply

      I remember stopping at one while I was near San Jose. It’s one of those things, some days you just want a bagel with cream cheese. One should never underestimate a carboydrate induced coma.

  7. Myra December 8, 2011 at 7:41 am - Reply

    Loved this post. We miss the great bread we could find in the supermarket at home, especially rye, so I’ve started baking my own, but I hadn’t thought to try bagels!

    • admin December 10, 2011 at 7:17 am - Reply

      I probably should try making my own bread, a lot of gringos do. I really miss a good Italian loaf!

  8. Stephanie Pocina December 7, 2011 at 9:12 pm - Reply

    Nadine – I am flying in to Costa Rica on Sunday . I can’t wait! I am coming to do some “investigative” work for my future relocation. Your transparency about your move to CR has been so helpful to me and I am so grateful. To show my thanks, I’d love to bring you a care package: Heinz Ketchup, French’s Mustard, Oreos, Pop Tarts. Anything else that you are craving? We are staying at the Westin from Sunday-Friday then Saturday night in Tamarindo, hotel TBD. Would there be a convenient way to deliver a care package that is convenient for you? It would make me SO happy to this.

    • Merry December 7, 2011 at 9:57 pm - Reply

      That is SO considerate of you to think of Nadine and ketchup, ect.

      I hope you two can catch up w/each other and good luck w/your investigative relocation project, Stephanie!

      • admin December 10, 2011 at 7:14 am - Reply

        Thanks Merry. There are really some great people out there!

    • Chris R December 7, 2011 at 11:09 pm - Reply

      Laundry Detergent! LOL! That is very sweet of you!!!!

      • admin December 10, 2011 at 7:16 am - Reply

        I feel like I am in the service anxiously waiting for a package from home. It’s funny how excited you get down here when you receive something that reminds you of your glorious supermarket back home.

    • admin December 10, 2011 at 7:11 am - Reply

      Thanks so much, I will send you an email.

  9. Julie December 7, 2011 at 1:12 pm - Reply

    Weird. As I was eating my bagel and cream cheese yesterday I wondered ” do they have bagels in Costa Rica and what other food would I miss?”. I can’t believe you blogged about bagels today. Well, now that I know they’re there…

    • Merry December 7, 2011 at 9:52 pm - Reply

      I never saw cottage cheese during my 10 day visit to CR, lots of yogurt though. I would really miss my Knudsen cottage cheese and it just might be a deal breaker, lol.

      • admin December 10, 2011 at 7:14 am - Reply

        I know what you mean. It’s hard giving up some of those items you never thought you had to give up. But I just keep telling myself I am healthier for it. It gives me incentive to buy more fruit and vegetables. I really think this place may be the best place to lose weight and get healthy.

        I refuse to spend over $5 for Oreos or any packaged goods. It’s like I’ve created an instant healthier diet just because I am frugal.

    • admin December 10, 2011 at 7:10 am - Reply

      I was happy to see them too!! I think I will try earlier in the day to see if they are fresher.

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