Private Tour
Costa Rica The Chela Cooking Experience
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
With the help of Doña Chela, you will learn about the preparation of traditional Costa Rican dishes with products from the garden and the oldest way in the heat of the wood-fired kitchen.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for people who have the flu or cough
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
You will learn how to prepare a typical recipe with products from the garden and in the style of the grandparents in the wood stove, and then enjoy a dinner in the company of the hosts.
Sample Menu
main
Typical married
Preparation of rice, fried beans, salad, Picadillo and a meat or vegetarian option. In addition to preparing the webbed tortillas.
What‘s Included
Typical married with natural drink.
Private transportation
Options
Costa Rica The Chela Cooking Experience
Reviews
138 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Chela and her team are...
Madalyn W,May 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Chela and her team are fabulous! She has so much passion and love for cooking and it shines through during the class. She is very easy to talk to and enjoys sharing details of her life and family in La Fortuna. She's working on an expansion to her farm/garden which will include a night walk through when finished! You get to pick the meal you want to eat. I highly recommend making the Rice Pudding for dessert! It was the best I've ever had.
We had a lovely evening...
Amy W,May 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a lovely evening with Chela eating delicious food with good company. When we got there we got to pick what we would cook and Chela and her assistant walked us through how to make it. The ingredients were simple but everything was flavorful and delicious! She has a beautiful property and we would love to visit again if we are in the area. Thank you Chela!
Great experience for anyone!
missthekeys,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great experience! Chela's kitchen was wonderful. The atmosphere of her open air restaurant/kitchen was really unique. Each group of guests were able to choose what they wanted to make from Chela's cookbook and then we shared all the cooked food. It was a lot of fun to work with the other guests. Both my 15 and 13 year old enjoyed the experience. And the food was delicious!
A perfect experience...
Angela R,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A perfect experience making authentic Costa Rican food with a wonderful woman-Chela. Was relaxed and fun, got a tour of her garden after we stuffed our bellies so full! Highly recommend for adults/families/kids.
Great family activity!
Elizabeth M,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience cooking with Chela! Family of 5 with 3 teens. Everyone enjoyed learning to cook traditional Costa Rican food. Immersive tour. Chela is great with the kids. She's super friendly, engaged with everyone as we cooked. Food was delicious! Highly recommend.
Great and yummy experience!
Seth E,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a wonderful experience for our family (ages from 5 to 75). We had fun preparing the meal and everything was delicious. There was even an impromptu dance party that broke out! Chela is a fantastic host and teacher, and has a special ability with the kids. This was a highlight of our trip for sure!
A Highlight of Our Vacation
Meagan B,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our family visited Costa Rica for two weeks, and cooking with Chela was easily one of our favorite things we did. She is so warm and inviting and made everyone feel at ease. It was so fun to pick what we wanted to cook, and then use the fresh ingredients to make dinner. We all had a blast and the food was delicious!! It was our favorite meal we had in our two weeks there. She will send any leftovers home with you to eat later as well. If you’re in the area, make sure to book this experience. You won’t regret it!
3 Canadian friends
Jackie F,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing cultural experience! A fun time cooking delicious food and meeting lovely people. Everyone at el Fogon de Chela were very friendly, helpful and welcoming. The team were amazing ambassadors for the area! Thank you very much from Canada!
Fun and unique experience!
marjid2019,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My daughter and I wanted to take a cooking class while vacationing in Costa Rica, and we were lucky enough to get a private experience on Christmas Day! We were thrilled that they accommodated us on a holiday. We got to pick out several dishes to cook, and she walked us through each step as we cut vegetables and cooked delicious meals. Afterwards we ate, and there was enough leftovers to feed 4 of us for dinner that night.
Chela’s place was...
Heather W,Jan 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Chela’s place was incredible and we made one of the best meals I’ve ever had! We made gallo pinto, cerdo, patacones, arroz con pollo, and more. It was a lovely and unique experience and she was amazing.
Related Experiences
Operated by El Fogón de Chela