The food in Costa Rica is similar to other Latin American countries especially when considering the fruit. I love tropical fruit, it’s one of the best parts about living in Costa Rica. A daily dose of pineapple, mango, starfruit and avocado in this country rivals any in the world. However, it can be a pain to prepare them because of the size, shape, skin, peel or pit and I’ve set out on a quest to find the best gadgets to solve the problem.

1. Mango Peeler / Pitter Set

First up is the mango peeler/pitter set ($18.99). This is a must have for those slippery  mangoes while you’re trying to get the pit out and peel them. If you’ve found the right fruit, they are nice, soft and juicy, which makes it even more difficult to prepare. You can’t be without one if you’re in a tropical climate with mango season lasting for several months.

2. Pineapple Corer / Slicer

There are pineapples-a-plenty in Costa Rica and adding it to your weekly, if not, daily diet is a must. Pineapples are actually a type of bromeliad, or a flower, which is a conglomerate of a bunch of tiny fruits. But, it’s not really important what they are besides delicious, but with their tough skin and crown, they can be a pain to get into. With a pineapple slicer-corer ($13.99) you’ll be able to have fresh, ripe pineapple within seconds. Don’t forget to compost the scraps!

3. Avocado Slicer

The avocado slicer ($15) does what your large spoon and knife used to have to tag team to accomplish. The curved shape of the slicer digs into the wide part of the halved avocado and slices as it pulls the edible part out of the skin. It’s perfect for sandwiches, guacamole or hamburgers.