Top Central Valley Dining Experiences

Enjoy a thrilling yet gentle day of white-water rafting down class II and III rapids on the Balsa River. This active adventure includes transfers from La Fortuna, equipment, instruction, a safety briefing, and ends with a delicious lunch in a local restaurant. Feel the thrill as you bounce and glide 6 miles (10 kilometers) down the river flanked by lush the jungle filled with monkeys, tropical birds, and sloths.

Take advantage of some of northern Costa Rica’s best white-water rafting on this full-day, guided tour with traditional lunch included. Paddle through the rainforest and over the rapids of the Balsa River stopping along to swim and rest in nature. After your adventure is done enjoy a Costa Rican style lunch at a local restaurant.

Sample a wide variety of Costa Rican flavors while learning about the country's cultural heritage on this San Jose walking tour. You'll shop for fruits and veggies at the Mercado Central and Mercado Borbón, visit the National Theater and Morazan Park, and try local treats including a hands-on cooking class with artisanal chocolate empanadas and specialty coffee at Mr. Sloth Coffee Shop.

Heading deep into Arenal's rainforest typically means renting a car and navigating unfamiliar roads. This small-group tour lets you skip the self-drive stress and takes you to directly to the area's highlights. Walk across the rainforest over a hanging bridge, wander along trails through lava fields for excellent views of Arenal Volcano, and, finally, rejuvenate in a natural hot spring.

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 the flavors of Costa Rica through a guided tasting session designed to go beyond surface-level tourism. This small-group experience introduces you to 33 local foods and drinks, explained in context by a knowledgeable local host. Instead of just eating, you’ll understand how, when, and why locals enjoy these foods in their daily lives. - Learn more about Costa Rican cuisine than by eating out alone - Small group for a personal, social experience - Ideal for food lovers, curious travelers, and culture seekers - All tastings and drinks included

Learn about the wildlife that makes the Arenal area famous on this 6-hour tour from La Fortuna. Hike for 2.5 hours down the Arenal 1968 Trail, learning about local wildlife and the infamous 20th-century eruption as you go, and then relax in natural pools at the Baldi Hot Springs. This tour includes a guide with extensive knowledge about local wildlife and culture, round-trip transportation from your hotel, and a buffet dinner.

Discover the essence of San Jose on this immersive food walking tour, where a dedicated guide leads you through the city's vibrant street markets and architectural treasures. Begin at Mercado Central, a bustling hub of local commerce, where you can sample traditional Costa Rican snacks and engage with friendly vendors. Next, explore Mercado Borbón, another lively market teeming with unique flavors and cultural experiences. Along the way, your guide shares insights into Costa Rica's rich history and cultural heritage, offering context to the vibrant street scenes. As you navigate San Jose's bustling streets, take in architectural gems like the National Theater and Catedral Metropolitana, which stand as testaments to the city's historical significance. The tour provides a sensory journey, allowing you to immerse yourself in the local atmosphere while tasting delicious dishes and learning about the heart of San Jose.

Experience one of the most exciting adventures in La Fortuna, Arenal. The Canyoning Rock combines breathtaking abseiling descents through waterfalls and natural walls, optional jumps into crystal clear pools, river walks and two exciting canopy lines over the tropical forest. Explore a hidden canyon surrounded by lush greenery, waterfalls and unique landscapes of Costa Rica while enjoying an experience that combines adrenaline, nature and fun. No prior experience required; our certified guides provide complete induction and accompaniment throughout the tour, using professional equipment and high safety standards. The adventure ends with a walk along the Arenal River and a delicious lunch at La Roca Bistró. Ideal for those looking for an authentic canyoning, waterfall, adventure and nature experience near Arenal Volcano. The perfect balance between adrenaline, nature and fun in Costa Rica.

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.

Leave behind the urban bustle of San Jose for the clear, aquamarine waters and unspoiled beauty of Tortuga Island on this full-day sailing adventure. Cruise on a yacht or catamaran through the Gulf of Nicoya to Tortuga and the surrounding archipelago, where protected forests, white-sand beaches, and pollution-free waters house an amazing array of plant and animal species. Enjoy a fresh lunch on board, sip tropical cocktails, and sway to live music as you sail through this picturesque island paradise.

Discover San Jose’s hidden delights with this unique evening tour of the Costa Rican capital. Get up close and personal with the nightlife in San Jose, starting with the Morazán Park where you'll learn post-colonial Costa Rican history. From there, gain an appreciation for San Jose’s historical architecture, with a walk by the Metallic Building, then on to Spain Park for a fantastic view of the Yellow House (now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Continue to charming Barrio Escalante, one of the oldest residential areas in San Jose.  Finish the night with a tasty traditional meal (and wine or beer) at a gourmet Costa Rican restaurant.

Step into one of San Jose’s most vibrant restaurants for a private dining experience that captures the essence of Costa Rican gastronomy in every bite. Here, each dish is crafted to highlight a unique facet of Costa Rican cuisine—from cherished, traditional recipes passed down through generations to innovative, contemporary interpretations that bring new life to local flavors. You’ll delve into the stories and ingredients behind each plate, gaining insight into Costa Rica’s rich culinary traditions, sustainable practices, and dedication to slow food. Skip the guesswork and indulge in an expertly curated menu that celebrates Costa Rican food—100% local, responsibly sourced, and bursting with authenticity. This is more than a meal; it’s a taste of Costa Rican culture and a moment to savor every flavor.

The 230-foot (70-meter) high La Fortuna Waterfall, surrounded by verdant wet forest, is one of the region’s most photographed attractions. On this half-day tour, take the scenic route as you float down the river on a raft, then cool off with a swim beneath the falls. Along the way, look out for exotic birds, howler monkeys, and sloths; visit a traditional Costa Rican family home; and tuck into a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

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.

Experience the adventurous side of La Fortuna on a half-day tour that includes a waterfall rappel, climb through the forest, zipline course, and a return trip on horseback. Combining some of La Fortuna’s top activities into one high-energy tour means you can explore even more of the rainforest: get wet, soar through the air, learn about indigenous Maleku culture, and watch for wildlife in the lush rainforest canopy.

-Tour of the Coffee We will know the complete history and importance of coffee for Costa Rica; In addition, we will know the complete process of elaboration; from planting the seed to tasting a cup of 100% pure Costa Rican coffee.   -Tour of the Chocolate We will return to the past to know its origin, history and 100% traditional process in honor of our ancestors. We will be able to see their different stages and varieties of cocoa. - Both tours include tastings; In addition, we teach the process and history of sugarcane in the traditional Costa Rican way and its derivatives

Get a taste of Costa Rica’s famed biodiversity without straying too far from the city with this all-access day pass to La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park. Prebooked entry saves you from waiting around in long ticket lines, so you have even more time to explore its attractions. Choose whether to tackle family-friendly hiking trails through the cloud forest, visit a rescued jungle cat educational program, or spend time at the site's numerous specialty wildlife exhibits.

Get a taste of San Jose’s culture and cuisine on this walking tour that includes snacks. Explore Costa Rica’s capital alongside a guide who alleviates the hassle of navigating, and learn about the city’s history, architecture as you taste. Explore the produce stalls of two traditional markets and discover what makes Costa Rican coffee so delicious as you sample some local brews.

A chocolate tasting flight is included on this chocolate tour in La Fortuna. Sample artisanal chocolates fresh from the source as your guide shares information about the chocolate-marking process from bean to bar—one of Costa Rica’s biggest businesses. Plus, try special treats like caramelized cocoa seed that’s hard to find anywhere else.

Get a taste of authentic Costa Rican life and cuisine as you join a local family for a cooking class and home-style meal. Along with a guide, visit the home of your hosts outside of La Fortuna and learn about household customs and cooking techniques for a cultural experience that takes you well beyond just dining out. Join in the preparation of a typical meal, and then savor the fruits of your labor alongside new friends.

Learn about the chocolate industry in Costa Rica on this private 7-hour tour from San Jose. You'll visit Tirimbina, a private biological reserve in the rain forest and take a guided hike across a suspension bridge to a cacao plantation. Get an intimate look at the chocolate-making process, from fruit to chocolate bar. Lunch is included.

Experience two of Costa Rica’s best features, coffee and cloud forests, during this trip to Santa Ana from San Jose. Get ready for a day of adventure, going from your hotel in San Jose directly to the cloud forest with your guide. Zipline through lush forest, keeping an eye out for local wildlife. Take a relaxed hike through trails to view waterfalls then visit a coffee plantation where you learn about the coffee making process and enjoy a local lunch.