Top Costa Rica Dining Experiences

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.

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.

Avoid the disappointment of struggling to see wildlife in Manuel Antonio National Park by going with a guide. Learn more about the park’s rich biodiversity than you would wandering around alone. Your guide will find where animals such as sloths and frogs are hiding, and you can get a closer look through the provided spotting scope.

Have the special opportunity to visit an independent beer, wine, and mead producer located near San José—and taste their distinctly local products—during this small-group tour. Pick from two tour times, and make your own way to the meadery in Santa Bárbara. After touring the fermentation room, taste six different meads, beers, and wines—which are made from locally grown flowers, fruits, and other botanicals—in the company of the owners.

Twilight rainforest experience visiting a Costarrican family kitchen, joining a Tortilla or Patacones class, and ending with a frog watching.

Take the plunge from the highest bungee jumping spot in Central America on this bungee jumping tour in Monteverde. Strong cables and a helmet keep you safe, while guides push you out of your comfort zone for an extreme adventure in the middle of the cloud forest. The maximum jumper weight is 113 kilograms, ensuring safety standards are met.

Instead of dealing with the hassle of planning your own day trip to Tortuga Island, booking this tour means an expert has sorted everything out for you—from what you’re eating to the best local spots for swimming to how you’re getting from A to B and back again. But your day isn’t micro-managed—there’s plenty of time to relax on the island too.

Experience a different side of the Monteverde Cloud Forest with this small-group tour through a local private farm. Walk through a private farm set within the region’s beautiful countryside to see how coffee, cocoa, and sugar are produced here. Besides seeing their plantations, you’ll have the chance to taste each of the local products. Trails on the farm are accessible for strollers, walkers, and wheelchairs. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in Monteverde and Santa Elena.

This private full-day tour combines a Tempisque River boat cruise with local sugarcane farming experiences. Spot birds, monkeys, and crocodiles while cruising on the Tempisque, which borders Palo Verde National Park. Afterward, check out a working hacienda and traditional oxen-operated sugar mill, tasting local specialties and learning about how rum is prepared locally. Finish your visit by preparing your own fruit- and spice-infused rum. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

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.

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.

Enjoy a luxury picnic on the beaches of Playa Grande in Costa Rica when you book this exciting experience. Choose to have just the decor set up or upgrade to include chef-prepared food and drinks. Whether you're planning a romantic date, celebrating a special occasion, or proposing to your loved one, this is a great way to create an unforgettable memory.

Experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of San Jose on an evening bus tour. Starting from your hotel, board a comfortable double-decker bus with a welcome drink. See over 25 of the city’s landmarks as you take a bus tour, and stop for bilingual guided tours at key locations, including the Costa Rican Art Museum. Enjoy an included dinner of local cuisine before drop-off back at your hotel.

This one-of-a-kind Costa Rica canyon tour at Hacienda Guachipelin will make you fly through the trees on zip lines, rappel, rock climb, swing like Tarzan, and cross hanging bridges over a narrow river canyon. It’s an incredible adrenaline rush! Your playground is the spectacular White River Canyon, formed by water erosion over millions of years. Your excitement begins a short walk from Hacienda Guachipelin’s Adventure Center to the first zip line platform. You’ll have exhilarating fun on 7 zip line cables, 1 hanging bridge, 2 Tarzan swings, a controlled 20-meter (65-foot) rappel, natural rock climbing wall, and via ferrata traverses and climbs. The tour generally takes between 90 minutes and two hours to complete.

Whether you’re an avid chef or would just like to learn more about Costa Rican cuisine, this small-group cooking class will teach you all you need to know. Meet a local family and gain insight into how they live, cook, and eat. Your hands-on cooking class will focus specifically on medicinal plants found in your hosts’ garden. Have fun learning new skills and then eat your tasty home-cooked meal after.

Make the most of your time in Palo Verde National Park by touring with a guide. Travel through a range of habitats, including rivers and mangroves, and look out for the special bird and animal life in the area. Learn more about what you see with a guide, and receive personalized attention from them as this is a small-group tour. Hotel pickup is now included for added convenience.

Get onto the water on an exclusive tour to Playa Fantasia by catamaran for a beautiful sunset tour. You’ll depart from Playa Nicoya to the secluded beach with a jungle backdrop. You’ll be treated to a fresh lunch cooked by a private chef. You’ll also have use of boogie boards, surfboards, hammocks, and lounge chairs. Have a drink, too, with a bar of pina coladas and margaritas. Sail home at sunset.

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.

Embark on an enriching journey through the captivating history of Costa Rican coffee, a beverage that has shaped the nation's economic landscape. Immerse yourself in the fascinating tale of its cultivation, from seed to cup, and gain a profound appreciation for the meticulous process behind each aromatic sip. Delve into the lush plantations where coffee beans flourish, witnessing firsthand the dedication and expertise required to nurture this treasured crop. Engage your senses as you explore the intricate steps of harvesting, drying, and roasting, unlocking the secrets that transform humble beans into a morning elixir. Join the ranks of locals and visitors alike who have savored the rich flavors and invigorating qualities of this beloved beverage. Allow us to awaken your taste buds to the essence of Costa Rican coffee —because no journey is complete without a sip of perfection.

Whether you're looking to relax or enjoy something more active, this full-day catamaran excursion to Tortuga Island from Jacó will accomplish your goals. The island has some of the most pristine beaches in Costa Rica, ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Make use of the hot tub on board and take a fun banana boat ride if you wish. It is an ideal fun day for couples and groups of friends.

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.

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.

Combine high-adrenaline activities with a relaxing natural spa retreat on this great-value full-day adventure tour from Playa Flamingo. Kick things off with a thrilling zip-line canopy tour and make like Tarzan as you swing through the treetops before splashing down a 1200-foot (366-meter) water-slide. After lunch (included), saddle up for a horseback ride along sandy beaches or scenic jungle trails. Finally, unwind with a soak in natural hot springs and a therapeutic volcanic mud bath.

Learn more about Costa Rica through its cuisine during a fun private cooking class using tropical ingredients. Start with a tour of the restaurant’s organic garden, discovering local ingredients. Then, put on your apron and get busy in the kitchen, preparing dishes such as salad from the garden, honey mustard chicken (or a vegetarian alternative), and homemade ice-cream.