There is provided a recording apparatus in which it is possible to use a suitable reaction liquid to be applied on the recording medium, out of multiple types of reaction liquids. A recording apparatus includes a transport mechanism that transports a recording medium, a reaction liquid applying mechanism that selectively applies, on the recording medium, either a first reaction liquid that reacts with ink or a second reaction liquid that reacts with the ink and is different from the first reaction liquid, and an ink discharge mechanism that is positioned downstream from the reaction liquid applying mechanism in the transport direction of the recording medium and discharges the ink onto the recording medium. It is preferable that the reaction liquid applying mechanism include a first reaction liquid discharge unit that discharges the first reaction liquid and a second reaction liquid discharge unit that discharges the second reaction liquid.