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.

Our customized yoga class at our Riverside Rainforest yoga platform is the perfect opportunity to either continue your practice or if you’re new to yoga, this is an unintimidating class to help you explore this amazing, wholesome activity. Vacations are perfect for trying new things.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In this experience you will have the opportunity to have the guidance of an expert chocolate maker, you will discover the fascinating world of cocoa from the bean to the bar before your eyes. You’ll get up close and personal with the process in a real chocolate factory, complete with luxury tech equipment, and you’ll make your own chocolates with organic ingredients and various beginner or advanced professional techniques. In this experience, you will explore unique aromas and textures, learn about fermentation, tempering and molding, and taste chocolates with complex flavor profiles, made with fine cocoa from our farm. In our factory every detail counts, from the moment you enter the delicious aroma of fine chocolate will captivate you and the cozy space will allow you to feel welcome, as well as having the opportunity to deeply experience every step for the elaboration of chocolate. In the end, you will take a delicious chocolate souvenir created with your own hands and with your choice of recipes.

This activity stands out for its authentic, small-scale approach that connects travelers directly with Costa Rica’s nature and culture. Instead of crowded attractions, guests experience a quiet rainforest where sloths live freely and a working coffee farm rooted in local tradition. The tours are led by local hosts who share real knowledge, personal stories, and sustainable practices, creating a genuine connection to the place. The combination of wildlife observation and coffee culture, set in a volcanic landscape, offers a balanced experience that is educational, relaxed, and meaningful—ideal for travelers seeking depth, authenticity, and a true sense of Costa Rica beyond typical sightseeing.

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.

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.

Discover the best coffee, chocolate, and sugarcane tour in La Fortuna, an experience that blends tradition, culture, and flavor. In our tour, you won’t just learn about the artisanal process behind these products; you’ll take part in it! Enjoy the aroma of freshly roasted coffee, taste handcrafted chocolate, and sweeten your day with fresh sugarcane juice. With expert guides and a stunning natural setting, we offer an authentic and unforgettable experience. Come and taste the true flavors of Costa Rica!

We believe that a healthy and prosperous life starts with what we eat; also, gastronomy and family recipes connect us as human beings. Eleven years ago we decided to switch our farm from a "traditional" crops to organic ones to improve our own health. In this experience we'll walk through our organic farm with the last bits of sunlight looking for the fresh ingredients we'll need to prepare a delicious dinner and share our culture with you. We hope that, besides providing a delicious foodie experience, what we do inspires more people to care about the source of their food and protect our planet. We have veggie and vegan options. Please do let us know if you have any other allergy and/or dietary restriction.

Experience the adrenaline of Bungee jump (150 meters) above La Balsa river. You will enjoy the life of the forest from the top  of the trees - more than 500 acres of forest with an amazing view: 10 cables, 10 platforms, 3 trails, 2 hanging bridges, 1 Tarzan swing - total of 1045m. The canopy is a network of cables, towers and suspended platforms through the treetops of the cloud forest.

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.

The cooking class will make use of the ingredients harvested at the farm, and guests will be guided by a local chef. During the class, participants will have the opportunity to roast their own selected coffee beans, learn how to make traditional tortillas with cheese, and create hash browns using yuca. This hands-on experience will empower guests to discover the flavors and techniques that make Costa Rican cuisine unique This culinary experience lasts for four hours and is available once a day with prior reservation. Whether you are a food enthusiast or simply looking to explore the local culture, the cooking class at Rancho Don Lelo promises to be an unforgettable and enriching experience

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.

Follow underground trails into a series of remarkable grottoes and chambers on this Venado Caves tour from La Fortuna. Gear up and follow your flashlight along an ancient seabed as you explore the caves with your guide, checking out formations and bristling stalactites and stalagmites. Visit a bat colony that thrives in the cool, dark cave system, then return to the surface to enjoy a snack of tropical fruits.

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 believe that a healthy and prosperous life starts with what we eat; also, gastronomy and family recipes connect us as human beings. Eleven years ago we decided to switch our farm from a "traditional" crops to organic ones to improve our own health. In this experience we'll walk through our organic farm with the last bits of sunlight looking for the fresh ingredients we'll need to prepare a delicious dinner and share our culture with you. We hope that, besides providing a delicious foodie experience, what we do inspires more people to care about the source of their food and protect our planet. We have veggie and vegan options. Please do let us know if you have any other allergy and/or dietary restriction.

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.

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

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.

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.