Traditional Cooking Class with Dinner, Arenal/La Fortuna
Learn how to prepare traditional Costa Rican recipes and mixing your own cocktail in a fun local cooking class
This was amazing! One of the best parts of our trips. My partner and I had a blast making homemade tortillas and Casado.
Cathy was really great, if they offered other meals we would have done more.
Great experience engaging in active cooking with chef Cathy. Cathy was amazing explaining costarican recipe. The dinner was very good - felt like a home cooking...
Fabulous experience!
Priscilla was fantastic. She guided us through preparation of an authentic Costa Rican meal. Her partner assisted with making tortillas and coffee. The meal was delicious!
Overview
Upon arrival, explore the gardens and farms where your fresh ingredients come from. Mix up a tropical cocktail or jungle juice, then learn how to prepare traditional Costa Rican dishes, including picadillos, tortillas, and guisados. Enjoy a sit-down meal with fellow travelers and skilled chef.
Highlights
- Explore the gardens and farms where ingredients are sourced
- Mix up a tropical cocktail or jungle juice
- Learn how to cook traditional Costa Rican dishes
- Enjoy a sit-down meal with fellow travelers and a skilled chef
Know before you go
2.5 hours
5 years old & up
Small group
Dinner Included
What you'll do
Upon arrival at our venue, you'll be greeted by your friendly and knowledgeable guide, who will take you on a tour of the nearby gardens and farms where the fresh ingredients for your meal come from. You'll learn about the different plants and crops grown in the area, and gain a deep appreciation for the hard work and care that goes into cultivating the ingredients that makeup Costa Rican cuisine.
After your tour, it's time to get started on the cooking! You'll be guided by a skilled chef who will teach you the ins and outs of preparing traditional Costa Rican dishes like picadillos, tortillas, and guisados. You'll learn about the unique flavor combinations and cooking techniques that make these dishes so special, and you'll get to try your hand at preparing them yourself under the chef's expert guidance.
But first, it's time to mix up a tropical cocktail or jungle juice to get you in the mood for cooking and eating! You'll learn how to prepare a delicious and refreshing drink using local ingredients. As you sip, learn how to cook some traditional grub, including Tico-style picadillos, tortillas, and guisados.
Once you've finished cooking, it's time to sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labor! You'll be treated to a sit-down meal featuring the dishes you've prepared, along with some additional treats prepared by the chef. This is the perfect time to bond with your fellow travelers, swap stories and travel tips, and savor the unique flavors of Costa Rican cuisine.
Start times
-
Daily5:00 pm
What's included
- Transportation
- Bilingual guide
- Dinner
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Get startedSee alternatives
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Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Visit
Visit Proyecto Asis, a wildlife rehabilitation and rescue center. A naturalist guide will lead you on a tour, introducing you to the resident animals and sharing their stories. You'll likely see anteaters, monkeys, snakes, parrots, sloths, and more.
(Because the center's goal is to release as many animals back into the wild as possible, the wildlife present at the center is subject to change.) During your visit, you'll also learn about conservation and sustainability.
Guided Nature Walk at Ecological Park & Butterfly Garden Danaus
A bilingual guide will lead you on a nature walk through the Ecological Park & Butterfly Garden Danaus on this half-day tour. You'll have the chance to spot tree frogs, caimans, monkeys, sloths, and a wide variety of birds as you follow your guide on a nature trail. Stop at botanical gardens, a butterfly garden, and a wetlands area that serves as a bird nesting site. Finish the tour with a visit to a Maleku cultural center to learn about Indigenous traditions and environmental practices.
Traveler photos
Travelers often mention
Summarized by AI based on kimkim traveler reviews
Multiple reviews praised the hosts for being friendly, caring, and making participants feel at home. Specific mentions of hosts like Cathy and Priscilla stand out, with comments on their personal stories and attentiveness. (8 mentions)
The majority of participants found the food delicious, highlighting the authenticity and enjoyment of the meal prepared during the activity. (5 mentions)
Many reviewers enjoyed the interactive cooking experience and felt like they were learning authentic Costa Rican recipes. However, there was a notable negative review mentioning a lack of hands-on cooking and learning due to the large group size. (5 mentions)
Several reviews appreciated the personalized experience, such as private lessons and being in the hosts' home, which made the activity feel more intimate and culturally immersive. (4 mentions)
Traveler reviews
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4.7
Vegetable saute - chopped a few vegetables, but that was it
Beans - cooked ahead of time
Chicken (main course) - cooked ahead of time. No... Read more
She also sent us the recipe to make! Loved it Read more
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