Private Native Caribbean Cooking in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Limon, Costa Rica
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Sample Menu
Main
Rice & Beans with Caribbean Chicken
This disk is prepared with fresh Coconut milk and ingredients, that are locally produced, and it is served with a Green Salad and Ripped Platains
What's Included
- Dinner
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Soda ShekinaC. 213, Limón, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, 70403, Costa Rica
My house is the meeting place, it is located next to Soda Shekina
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.5:00 pm
What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- It is easy and convenient for everyone.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Davinia_I
She was very accommodating, kind, and sociable. It was interesting to learn the history of the area, as well as the food we were making. She was very open about her experiences, as well as interested to learn about ours. I would recommend her as a MUST visit for anyone traveling to Costa Rica. It was the most delicious and authentic experience we have had in our time here.
Reviews
4.9
based on 93 reviews
Neal_E, Apr 2026
Loved our evening with Josefine. She was informative about the history if puerto viejo and carribbean food whilst also being entertaining. Loved learning to cook chicken rice and beans. Food was excellent. Very enjoyable.
Allyson_L, Mar 2026
We had a great time with Josephina, she made the most amazing meal. We arrived to her home, where she had fresh coconuts waiting for us. As an appetizer we had delicious chips and salsa (my mother in law said it was the best salsa she’s ever had). We sat while we she cooked dinner and told us the history of how Puerto Viejo came to be and her family history. For the main course we had juicy chicken, Caribbean rice, plantains, and salad. Overall, the food was absolutely delicious. It’s not really a “cooking class” more of a homemade dinner with a local, which was great however, we would’ve loved to be more hands on to really learn how to make it at home.
Jennifer_M, Mar 2026
This was an amazing experience that I strongly recommend for everyone! Josefina was the perfect hostess and the meal was one of the best we had during our time in Costa Rica. We spent about 3 hours learning about her experiences as a member of one of the first families to populate the area. Her perspective on the changes over the years was fascinating! The group (8 people total) enjoyed coconut water, chips and homemade salsa while she explained what she was cooking and discussed the preparation. The meal itself was chicken, pinto gallo, green salad with passion fruit dressing, and fried plantains. The flavors were all spectacular and the portions were very filling. We also had a ginger drink, brownie, and ice cream for dessert. She offered to go containers, but the food was so good, we ate every bite! Definitely do not miss this experience!!
Nicole_H, Feb 2026
This is a wonderful evening spent learning about the history of puerto viejo while immersing yourself in the smells and tastes of the local food.
Naomi_P, Feb 2026
Such a wonderful experience! You experience community while learning local history and eating delicious food! Josefina is a wonderful conversationalist and cook with lots of local connections. Her cuisine even accomodated a gluten and dairy allergy! All five of s would highly recommend this experience to anyne near Puerto Viejo!
Joseph_K, Feb 2026
Great time spent with Josefina. Really enjoyed hearing the history of the area and her family history. Her Caribbean cooking and hospitality were wonderful. Would highly recommend this activity.
Mac_M, Oct 2025
Josefina is amazing. Warm inviting knowledgeable. AMAZING food. Highly highly recommend this experience. She shares family and cultural history. She explains the processes along the way while cooking to engage the guests. The chicken was VERY flavorful and fall off the bone tender. The rice an beans were cooked perfectly. The traditional drink she shared was refreshing. She has some kitties that wandered in to visit and showed affection to the guests. I really enjoyed my experience.
Lauraine_C, Sep 2025
We did not really know what to expect because the cooking class takes place inside the home of the host, but we were pleasantly surprised by the entire experience. Josefina made the atmosphere feel so cozy and intimate that we soon felt like we were visiting with a friend.
In fact, Josefina not only provides a lesson of Caribbean cuisine in Costa Rica, but will capture your attention with her personal accounts and stories of long-standing Caribbean influence and presence in Costa Rica.
Jayda_R, Aug 2025
This was a unique and memorable experience. I thought it would be more of a hands-on cooking class, where I could actively participate in preparing an authentic Caribbean meal, but it turned out to be more of a private cultural experience. Our host, a native of the area, prepared the meal for us while sharing fascinating stories and history about Costa Rica.
While I would have enjoyed having a more active role in the cooking process, I still found it to be insightful and enjoyable. The food was delicious, and I appreciated that she shared the recipe with us afterwards so we can try making it at home. Overall, it was a warm, personal way to learn about Caribbean culture and cuisine.
Marc_A, Aug 2025
Great insight to how the area developed from one who lived it, great conversation with someone who has seen some things, all while learning how some very traditional Caribbean food is cooked from someone who has been cooking it her whole life. A great evening.
joplin9560, Jul 2025
I was suppose to go w/ my daughter, however she wasn't feeling well. I decided to go alone.. it was like visiting an old friend. Warm and welcoming. We talked about history and the culture shared personal family stories.. all before she started cooking. Food was fantastic.
Emily_O, Jun 2025
Josephine was fantastic! She was so friendly and explained a lot of the Puerto Viejo culture and history to us. The food was also AMAZINGLY delicious! Definitely recommend this activity for a taste of authentic Puerto Viejo life!
Davinia_I, May 2025
She was very accommodating, kind, and sociable. It was interesting to learn the history of the area, as well as the food we were making. She was very open about her experiences, as well as interested to learn about ours. I would recommend her as a MUST visit for anyone traveling to Costa Rica. It was the most delicious and authentic experience we have had in our time here.
Bruce_W, Mar 2025
I would definitely recommend this dinner outing. We learned a lot about the culture and cooking. The dinner was beyond excellent! I’m excited to try this recipe at home!
jessicapuckett, Dec 2024
Josefina's class was really incredible. It was a really great experience for our family - our kids (10, 13, 15) loved watching her cook. And we all loved tasting her delicious food! We are definitely going to try to recreate at home. I absolutely recommend this activity!
Rachel_B, Dec 2024
Had a great time talking with Josefina and learning about the Caribbean Tico culture. The food was thoughtfully prepared and delicious. Highly recommend! The kitties were an added bonus!
Dawson_F, Oct 2024
Cook is very knowledgeable, friendly and offered an unforgettable experience. My wife and I, along with another family that came had a great time. Food was yummy 😊
Janelle_G, Aug 2024
Our group (adults and teens) had multiple excursions while in Puerto Viejo and San Jose and this was HANDS DOWN the best! Josefina was so easy to talk to and had so much knowledge of the region's history! And that's not even mentioning the FOOD WAS INCREDIBLE! We are so grateful she opened her home to our group to teach us about Caribbean culture and created an experience everyone was talking about days later!
Lara_M, Jul 2024
Wonderful experience! Great food and history. We really enjoyed learning to cook and meeting the other people. Highly recommended.
leah_b, Jun 2024
absolutely amazing host, so beautiful to hear of her history and such a beautiful curated experience!!! Food was phenomenal couldn’t recommend enough
VictoriaSitters, Jun 2024
Amazing time with our cook! She shared many stories about the area in Puerto Viejo and her experiences. We learned a lot. She did the cooking and explained as she went. We sat at the counter listening and watching. Best food I had in the area and she sent the recipe. Do this early in your trip to find opportunities in the area.
Brian_P, Mar 2024
After being warmly welcomed into her home, we were given a welcome drink and began to make friends. She gave us the history of Puerta Veijo and its Jamaican influence. We were given the option to cook with her if we chose too. Conversation flowed during the time spent there while she informed us step by step how to make chicken, rice and beans. The dish had just a hint of spice but was so flavorful you could hardly tell. Her kitchen was clean and comfortable. Time flew and before we knew our time had passed. Worth every penny.
Damien_L, Feb 2024
Josephina was amazing! She taught us so much about the local history and prepared us the most amazing Caribbean chicken and rice. I would definitely recommend and return for another lesson!
Jessica_F, Feb 2024
With generations of family here in Puerto Viejo, Josefina kindly shares the history of the region and the fabulous flavors of her Caribbean heritage with her guests. She hosts guests from all over the world and treats them like old friends in her home (and some repeatedly come back to see her). We learned how PV developed in the 1900's and how it has changed over the years, all while having a super tasty and filling meal. Deeply rooted in this community, she is a wonderful ambassador to those whom are interested in learning more about the beautiful culture of Puerto Viejo.
Danielle_M, Jan 2024
Wonderful experience. Josefina was an excellent conversationalist and we enjoyed learning about her culture and food. The food was probably the best we had in all of our Costa Rica travel. I recommend this experience to get an authentic taste of Caribbean Costa Rica.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Thank you very much Danielle for your wonderful comment it's inspiring, to keep up the great work. I highly appreciate your gratitude.
Betsy_M, Sep 2023
Josefina welcomed us into her home and made great conversation with personal touches about her family, her travels abroad, and the area’s cultural history. She was a patient teacher who showed us how to create delicious Caribbean flavors. We enjoyed the meal very much and left with full hearts and tummies. Her cats were also adorable.
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Thank you for your wonderful review, it was a great evening, i really enjoyed your company and shared this experience with you all, you´re welcome back anytime.
Kevin_H, Jun 2025
Very nice time and very good food, plus quite informative. Super recommended very nice experience.
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ClauGlz, Apr 2024
Los sabores, la conversación y la historia de puerto viejo. Un ambiente muy familiar, de verdad nos sentimos como en casa y quedamos más que satisfechos.
From $45.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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