Top Central Valley Dining Experiences

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.

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.

Experience an authentic night in the heart of Costa Rica. Enjoy a vibrant show that will take you through the traditions and culture tica, accompanied by live music, typical dances and a festive atmosphere. Immerse yourself in an experience where the color, joy and flavor of our land come together to offer you an unforgettable night. Ideal for those who want to feel the soul of Costa Rica and discover the essence of its people.

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 traditional picadill, 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.

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.

Getting immersed into the experience of enjoying the local vibes and flavors, visiting old-style "cantinas" (local bars) we get to explore the city at night. Step into a journey through San José’s historic nightlife, where timeless cantinas meet "pura vida" flavors. This intimate evening experience is designed for travelers who appreciate authenticity and an indulgent blend of local culture. Guided by a local expert, you’ll explore iconic cantinas known for their character, heritage, and local vibes. Each stop offers a curated tasting that highlights the richness of Costa Rican tradition.

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.

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.

With 4 years in this paradise and 20+ years in his culinary career, our Executive Chef has discovered delightful foods in markets, squares, and streets. Join him for an authentic gastronomic adventure, featuring memorable dishes and honoring tradition. Explore Costa Rica’s multicultural essence and vibrant “Pura Vida” lifestyle from north to south and east to west!

-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

Some of Costa Rica’s most spectacular rainforest waterfalls are tucked away from the tourist trail, so reaching and tackling them safely requires the right equipment and guidance. This adventure from La Fortuna handles the logistics for you, so you can focus on the thrills. Rappel down two waterfalls, swim in crystalline pools, and opt to jump from natural rock formations before refueling with a Costa Rican lunch.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This experience focuses strictly on the agricultural heritage of the Sarapiquí lowlands by featuring rarely-served items like fresh, raw heart of palm and indigenous pejibaye, setting it apart from generic national food tours. It offers intimate private access by taking place entirely at the dining table of a local's private residence, providing an unfiltered look into everyday Costa Rican life away from commercial restaurants. Furthermore, the curated degustation format is specifically designed as a seated, multi-course tasting rather than a hands-on cooking class, allowing you to completely relax, eat, and listen without having to cook, which perfectly fills the gap for travelers returning from a morning of jungle hikes or rafting.

The experience is a gastronomic tour in the center of San José, the tour takes you through the three different pedestrian promenades of the center of San Jose, each one very different from the other, during the tour you will learn about our street food culture while your guide tells you peculiarities and myths of our great little city

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.

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.

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.

Escape the crowds and discover one of La Fortuna's best-kept secrets. Jungle Yoga is a small-group wellness experience set in a private rainforest lovingly protected by a local Costa Rican family committed to preserving its natural beauty and wildlife. Far from the busy tourist attractions, you'll enjoy a peaceful environment where nature remains the true host. Your journey includes a mindful walk through the rainforest, a yoga session on a private deck beside a waterfall, sound healing, a guided reflection with the Jungle Intuition Oracle—created by your host and transpersonal therapist, Karla Corrales—time to relax in natural swimming pools, and a traditional Costa Rican lunch cooked over a wood-fired stove with vegetarian and gluten-free options available. More than a yoga class, this is an invitation to slow down, reconnect with nature and experience Costa Rica in a meaningful and authentic way.