Top Caribbean Coast Cooking Classes

Discover Caribbean flavors with Darshan, a local chef with deep roots in Puerto Viejo. Their culinary knowledge has been handed down for generations since their ancestors came to this land, turning each recipe into a journey through time and Afro-Caribbean culture. In this practical class, you will learn how to prepare authentic dishes with fresh ingredients and traditional techniques that you can apply in your home. Rather than a cooking class, it is a cultural experience: ✔️ You will cook alongside the chef in a warm and familiar atmosphere ✔️ You will know the history and origin of each dish ✔️ You will live a direct connection to local identity through flavors Ideal for those looking for authentic experiences, human contact and real gastronomic learning. It's not just cooking, it's Caribbean soul in every bite!

A unique Puerto Viejo date night or celebration: a 90-minute guided tasting of four aged rums and four local chocolates, with cacao tasted at three stages of its journey. Relax on our deck overlooking the Caribbean and discover surprising flavour combinations together as the sun sets. Perfect for couples, birthdays, anniversaries, or anyone looking for a memorable and different evening experience.

Foodies and anyone with a sweet tooth will love this chocolate-themed activity. See cacao trees growing before touring the chocolate-making kitchen. Learn all about what it takes to turn cacao into a bar of chocolate, and even have a go at grinding the beans and separating the shells yourself. Make some chocolate to take home with you and share with your friends–if you don’t eat it all first.

The experience is special because it is not just any cooking class, but a cultural immersion in authentic Caribbean life. It takes place in a family atmosphere and real, like the classic Sundays where grandmother brings everyone together to cook, share and enjoy. We don’t just learn a recipe; participants learn about the history of the Costa Rican Caribbean, its Jamaican roots, cultural influence, traditional flavors and the meaning of food in local life. We cook step by step with fresh ingredients, using coconut milk and traditional spices, and ultimately share the table as a family, creating connection, learning and true memories of the Caribbean.

Come visit our mini permaculture farm at Hidden Jungle Beach House! This is an interactive experience where you will see, touch, and taste a diverse variety of edible and medicinal plants. Meet our chickens and guinea fowl, learn about backyard farming and the medicinal and edible plants of the Costa Rican rainforest! We are here to show you that you can do a lot in a small space! We will teach you about the variety of medicinal plants we have growing here and how to use them. This is a great experience for anyone with an interest in gardening, plant medicine, keeping chickens, growing your own food, homesteading, and becoming more self-sufficient. We would love to share our paradise with you!

Taste chocolate, then turn inspiration into watercolor. This relaxed Puerto Viejo workshop combines a five-piece craft chocolate tasting with a beginner-friendly painting session, with all materials provided and your finished artwork to take home.

Embark on a unique journey of heart and soul with our cherished family business. Our tours, offered in five languages, ensure a warm embrace for every guest. Explore the vibrant culture of the Southern Caribbean's indigenous population with us. Experience the beating heart of a Bribri community, witness captivating chocolate making, and indulge in Indigenous cuisine. Conclude the adventure with a visit to a cascading waterfall, allowing you to reconnect with nature and rejuvenate your spirit. Feel the energy, taste the chocolate, savor the food, and embrace the adventure with us!

Explore two great Mesoamerican traditions together: artisanal mezcal and craft chocolate. Taste three traditional mezcals alongside carefully selected chocolates, discovering how fermentation, smoke, fruit, spice and cacao interact as sunset approaches over the Caribbean. With no prior tasting experience required, this experience invites curious travelers and food enthusiasts alike to enjoy a relaxed and informative session, uncovering the complexity of these two Mesoamerican treasures. Who Is This Experience For? Curious travelers Chocolate lovers Mezcal enthusiasts Food and drink explorers Couples and friends looking for a unique tasting experience Anyone interested in traditional food cultures and artisanal production No previous tasting experience is required.

Chocolate and wine are both shaped by fermentation and place. This guided tasting brings their stories together in a surprising way. Taste three South American wines alongside artisanal tree-to-bar chocolates. Discover how each wine changes what you notice in the chocolate. Fruit, spice and earthy notes emerge, disappear and sometimes become something completely unexpected. There is a story behind the pairing, too. Cacao is native to the Amazon. Wine arrived in Latin America from Europe. Today, both are grown and transformed across the continent. At Cacao Huasi, we bring them together for an interesting and delicious conversation. Enjoy the tasting overlooking the Caribbean, with plenty of time to taste, talk and compare. It is a unique Puerto Viejo experience for couples, date nights, celebrations and curious food lovers.

This private experience offers a unique opportunity to delve into the heart of Bribri Indigenous culture, far from the usual tourist paths. Start your day by crossing the river in a traditional boat, leading to a Spiritual Center where you’ll learn about their beliefs and healing practices. A gentle walk takes you to a scenic river, followed by a visit to an Indigenous family for a delicious traditional lunch. Engage in the age-old tradition of chocolate making, guided by the Bribri people themselves. You'll be able to walk through their huge property in a primary forest and learn about edible and medicinal plants. This journey promises authentic interactions and an unforgettable cultural exchange.