Top Central Valley Classes & Workshops

Learn to cook Costa Rican food made from local organic ingredients right from the farm where your class is held. You can help collect the seasonal produce from the fields, then you’ll get back to the kitchen. You’ll not only learn to cook in an open wood-fire kitchen, but you’ll hear stories about Costa Rican culture, too.

If you are looking for a pleasant place connected with nature where you can enjoy with your family or friends and spend an unforgettable experience, Agroecoturística Don Jorge specializes in Chocolate and Coffee, which includes tours of the trails of cocoa and coffee plantations, you will find diversity in flora. and birds, visit the waterfall, cane processing and finally the chocolate workshop where you can make your own chocolate bar. Our motto "From the seed to the palate". We are waiting for you to enjoy a family farm

Join a local chef for an afternoon cooking class near the La Fortuna waterfall. Learn how to make Costa Rican dishes such as ceviche, patacones, cashew-encrusted seabass, and, of course, dessert in a relaxed atmosphere. You can choose to participate in the meal prep or simply observe, plus sip on unlimited mojitos. The class is designed for both beginners and seasoned cooks.

We want to give our guests a special experience. By showing you around on our organic farm and allowing yourself to pick the cocoa fruits from the trees and be a part of the whole process from start to end. Our farm has the most beautiful view of the Arenal volcano and away from the noise of the city. Our guides are born and raised in the same environment and you can see and feel how passionate they are about it when they explain about the cocoa. The atmosphere a our farm is very relaxed and comfortable. Our chocolate tour is small groups of maximun 10 people.

Whether you're a chocolate snob or are happy to eat anything vaguely chocolate-related, this factory visit and tasting in San Jose will expand your palate. Learn how the humble cocoa bean is transformed into a bar of high quality chocolate, then try your hand at making your own bespoke goodies. With over 15 fillings and toppings, the combinations are endless.

Combine learning to cook with learning to dance with this combo experience. You'll learn how to make traditional Costa Rican food and sit down to eat your creation. Once you're done, you'll work off your meal with a dance lesson focused on Latin dance styles such as salsa, merengue, cumbia, and bachata.

Learn to cook some traditional Costa Rican food from a local grandmother, who knows all the secret tips. Dona Chela will help you to prepare the dishes with ingredients from her garden, which you can also wander around before and after you cook. You'll cook your food in the traditional, old school way, by using the wood-fired stove in the kitchen.

Explore the rich coffee heritage of Costa Rica at Hacienda La Chimba. This engaging 1.5-hour tour takes you through a historic coffee estate where tradition meets culture. Begin your journey at the Coffee Museum House, where captivating antique photographs unveil the significance of coffee in shaping the nation. Wander through lush gardens and working plantations, crossing the scenic Koi Fish Bridge and visiting a charming colonial-style chapel. Conclude your adventure with a unique coffee tasting session, savoring Hacienda La Chimba's high-altitude Arabica coffee in three distinct processes—washed, natural, and honey. Perfect for coffee lovers and families seeking an authentic cultural experience.

Immerse yourself in the culinary culture of Costa Rica during a small-group cooking class. Learn about the flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques specific to Costa Rican cuisine from your instructor. Get your hands dirty as you prepare several authentic recipes — from crispy Carimañolas to buttery cassava dishes — all while sipping on a refreshing Guaro Sour. Enjoy a true taste of Costa Rica beyond the restaurant scene. - Learn more about Costa Rican cuisine than you would just eating out - Small group size allows for a more personalized and experience - Ideal for foodies, adventurous travelers, or anyone who loves to create in the kitchen - Enjoy unlimited drinks while you cook, and share stories with fellow travelers

This is not a cooking class or a typical food tour, it’s a delicious, eye-opening journey through Costa rica’s extraordinary biodiversity, guided by a local fruit lover. If you opt for the full experience, your day begins at one of San Jose’s bustling markets, where your host will select and open fruits you’ve probably never seen before. Want to skip the walk? No problem — the tasting alone is just as immersive. As you taste, you’ll discover: Nutritional properties and healing uses Indigenous and colonial histories Seasonal patterns and farming traditions Culinary secrets from Central America From tangy to creamy, sweet to earthy, this tasting experience invites you to rediscover fruit the Costa Rican way.

Discover three of Costa Rica's best-known products on an interactive tour in La Fortuna. Learn how coffee, chocolate, and sugarcane are traditionally produced through hands-on demonstrations before sampling each along the way. Combining local culture, artisan techniques, and fresh tastings, this experience offers an engaging introduction to Costa Rica's agricultural heritage and the flavors that have shaped the region.

A sustainable tourism project located in Sarapiquí, Chilamate. It focuses not only on cacao production but also on forest conservation and biodiversity. The goal is to share both the chocolate-making process and its connection to nature. The standard Chocolate Tour lasts about 2 hours. Visitors explore a cacao plantation within a private forest reserve. The tour explains the entire process: from the cacao tree, flowers, and pollination, to harvesting, fermentation, drying, grinding, and finally producing chocolate. Guests can taste different stages: the fresh cacao fruit, cacao at various processing steps, and even enjoy traditional hot chocolate. Focus and Values Sustainability: minimal impact on the forest, preserving natural habitats, and practicing eco-friendly farming. Education: the tour highlights the history of cacao, its cultural role, and its ecological importance.

We are sure that the most special thing about this activity is the authenticity and personalization of the service. We emphasize that the activity is done in our home and not in a tourist place that makes it even more special since we open the doors of our home to people we do not know, but who we want to feel comfortable as when we receive our best friends to cook together and have a wonderful time. We do our utmost to offer an interactive experience where you will discover the unique flavors of traditional tortillas and empanadas with delicious accompaniments of Costa Rican cuisine.

What distinguishes this experience in Slothland is its combination of nature, conservation and tradition in an authentic tourist experience. More than a tour, it is the opportunity to enter a natural sanctuary where the sloth and other species are observed in freedom, within a protected and completely natural environment. Every encounter becomes a genuine and unforgettable moment. In the middle of a lush tropical rainforest, you will discover one of Costa Rica’s most fascinating ecosystems, surrounded by biodiversity and unique landscapes. The experience is complemented by a sensory experience of coffee and chocolate, where you will meet artisan processes, actively participate and taste flavors that reflect the cultural richness of the region. Adventure, learning and real connection with nature make this activity a unique experience in Costa Rica.

It is an activity where you will enjoy a real experience of what it is to work on a coffee farm, where you will share with the collectors and the owner, you will be able to feel what a collector feels in his daily work, you will be able to carry out other activities adjacent to coffee production such as it is fertilizing, weeding, spraying etc. It is a unique and 100% real experience. Also, if they wish, they can have breakfast or lunch on the farm and also have the opportunity to see a great diversity of birds and our river with the waterfall.

If you’re looking for a way to connect with the local people in Costa Rica, taking a cooking class in a private home is ideal. Your hosts will teach you about their culture, traditions, and cuisine, and give you a tour of their organic garden. Learn to cook dishes such as marinated shredded chicken and rice, followed by traditional desserts and washed down with a freshly prepared mojito.

Spend a half-day at a farm in La Fortuna for a cooking class that features some of Costa Rica’s favorite dishes. Start with a tour of the farm’s orchards and gardens, collect some ingredients for your meal, then head to the kitchen to learn to prepare classics such as gallo pinto (rice and beans). Top off your experience by enjoying the meal with your hosts.

Immerse Yourself in the Vibrant Flavors of Costa Rica Experience hands-on cooking at Arenal Puesta del Sol, nestled in the lush landscapes of La Fortuna. This culinary adventure is designed to connect you with the essence of local culture, blending traditional techniques with the freshest ingredients straight from the garden. A Meal to Remember Once your dish is ready, gather with other participants to enjoy your creations while taking in the stunning views of the majestic Arenal Volcano. Savor the fresh flavors, celebrate your efforts, and take home recipes to recreate these beloved dishes in your own kitchen. Whether you’re an experienced cook or a curious beginner, this class promises a delightful blend of learning, culture, and flavor. With options for both meat lovers and vegans, it’s a feast for every palate. Let the vibrant cuisine and warm hospitality of Arenal Puesta del Sol inspire your taste buds and soul.

Don’t just feast on delicious ceviche and empanadas, learn to cook the Latin American delicacies during a cooking class in La Fortuna. Enjoy personalized attention from your cooking instructor as you learn about Costa Rican cuisine, while enjoying views of the mighty El Arenal volcano and sipping cocktails.

During this immersive experience, you'll not only indulge in the deliciousness of Costa Rican food but also gain insights into local agricultural products and other ingredients that define Costa Rica's cuisine.There’s no better place to experience local cuisine than the Central Market, a 120-year-old building full to the brim with typical Costa Rican food and drink. It’s here that we’ll also buy the ingredients for our cooking class. Learn to prepare classic Latin American dishes such as ceviche and empanadas, picadillos, all while sipping on mojitos, sodas, and tropical drinks. There’s no better way to experience the flavour of a country than by going from market to kitchen, and we hope by the end, you feel like an authentic Costa Rican foodie! After your class, head back to your hotel with a stomach full of food and a head full of memories for you and your family that will last a lifetime.

Enjoy panoramic views of the Chachagua Forest Reserve and the guide will be able to take photographs of different animals, including birds and sloths. The tour also includes a short walk to visit a 60-meter-high ceiba tree. Our guides have extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna and will provide explanations about nature during the horseback tour. You will have the opportunity to enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch, which is a part of a cooking class. You can also roast your coffee and make tortillas at the end of the tour. The tour covers a total of 5 kilometers around our rainforest reserve and is highly recommended for families and nature lovers. Guests can collect ingredients during the horseback ride to cook their lunch at the typical Don Lelo ranch

This is the only activity in La Fortuna that offers an experience with stingless bees. It is an activity suitable for the whole family, both children and older adults can enjoy it. It is also an educational activity that is highly visited by schools and colleges in the region.

My intention in every dance class is to make the person really feel that they are learning and can notice their advancement, for me it is always important to see the participants feel confident, confident and satisfied with their process. Additionally, I want the class to be interactive, fun and easy to understand. This experience is done taking into account cultural factors such as the environment in which I give it: a dance studio inside a local La Fortuna property, and the Latin elements that I take into account in it. I also give my full attention and am very passionate about what I do. I am a dancer my whole life and I like to teach my classes with great enthusiasm. I am aware of any doubts they may have and always try to create an environment of trust and security for everyone. I am a Latina girl, lover of the culture and history of the town, I love what I do, so I hope that people can enjoy my class as I enjoy giving it.