Well Costa Rica is the blandest food in Lat Am too, but there are a few jewels available, mostly the fruits, chocolate and coffee though. If you want "latin" food, Mexico or Peru for sure. CR is just mostly poverty plates of bean and rice, which are good for me and my issues, mostly stomach related, but they aren't winning any culinary awards in CR for national cuisine.
RE: Goodbye Hive. Thank you for the memories