Private Tour

Costa Rica The Chela Cooking Experience

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

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

5.00

131 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

131

3 Canadian friends
Jackie F,,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Amazing 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
5.00
My 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
5.00
Chela’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.
MUST DO!
jillkG1084JY,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This is a must do when in CR! Chela is so gracious and passionate about local cuisine and enthusiastically shares her grandmother’s recipes. We went with our 17 year old son and all agreed it was a highlight of our trip—not to mention a delicious meal!
Must do in Costa Rica!!
Erica W,,Dec 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
My favorite thing we did on our trip! If you have the opportunity to do this cooking class, you must! Learned a lot and was such a treat getting to chat with Chela. Highly recommend!!
This was a top experience near La Fortuna!
emilygH6112MB,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My family of 4 (kids are 18 and 21)) had a fantastic time learning to cook authentic food with Chela! It was interesting, fun, and delicious. It was a top experience of our time in La Fortuna!
Thanksgiving Dinner in Costa Rica!
Z1984PLsarahg,,Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We made a delicious Thanksgiving dinner at El Fogon de Chela! Our host was welcoming, down-to-earth, and made all five of us feel useful, including our five-year-old. We enjoyed every minute, especially sharing our meal and chatting with her afterwards. It was at the top of our Costa Rica trip!
Lovely evening!
Anonymous,,Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
The food is delicious! The experience is unique. We learned how to make several traditional dishes over on open-fire stove. The owner, Dona Chela, hires single moms in the community so you are really helping by participating. As a family, we had a great time. Our kids were 15 & 17
Wonderful personal cooking class and conversation
Wanderer522293,,Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My family loved the class. We chose our dishes, Chela taught and ate with us and we talked about our families. The food was the best meal we had the whole trip. Cooking with Chela is a must-do and wonderful for the whole family.
Chela is awesome! Food...
Christiane R,,Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Chela is awesome! Food was delicious, location just a 15 mins ride outside of the town of La Fortuna. You cook on an outdoor stove. We went on a day that periodically rained and were protected completely from the rain. Chela loves what she does and you can taste it in your cooking. She took photos for us and shared her recipe book too. 10/10 recommend. Felt very authentic !!