Experience the Authentic Costa Rican Cuisine in La Fortuna
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Specialized infant seats are available
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of Costa Rica with a hands-on cooking class at Arenal Puesta del Sol, set in the lush landscapes of La Fortuna. This unique culinary experience starts with a tour of the organic garden, where you’ll handpick fresh ingredients like vegetables, herbs, tropical fruits, and spices. Guided by a local chef, you’ll learn traditional techniques and prepare iconic Costa Rican dishes tailored to the time of day. In the morning, create Gallo Pinto, Costa Rica’s signature breakfast, accompanied by handmade tortillas, tropical smoothies, and eggs or vegan tofu. For lunch, craft a hearty Casado, pairing grilled chicken, fish, or vegan jackfruit with rice, beans, and plantains. Evening sessions focus on stews or roasted vegetable dishes, paired with yucca chips, avocado salad, and sweet desserts like caramelized plantains. Savor your creation while enjoying stunning views of Arenal Volcano. Perfect for all skill levels, with vegan and non-vegan options available!
Sample Menu
main
Orange Chicken
Marinated chicken fillet, mashed potatoes, veggies, salad, handmade tortilla, fruit juice, sangria, and dessert.
main
Fish in passion fruit sauce
Fish fillet in passion fruit sauce, mashed potatoes, veggies, salad, handmade tortilla, fruit juice, sangria, and dessert.
What‘s Included
Tortilla Making Experience
Starter, Main Dish, and Dessert
Local Shot (Chiliguaro), Sangria & Natural Juice
Garden Tour & Sugar Cane Experience
Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner
Vegan, Vege, or gluten-free options are available
Cooking Class
Options
Experience the Authentic Costa Rican Cuisine in La Fortuna
Reviews
20 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing Experience!
Kristin L,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Such an awesome experience! Her garden was beautiful and she was very knowledgeable about all of the plants. Everything was so fresh and organic. We had chicken, veggies, and beans and it was sooooo delicious. 10/10 would recommend to anyone!
A Delicious and Fantastic Experience!!
Rachel C,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a lovely and wholesome experience cultivated for folks who want to get an authentic, organic, farm-to-table experience near La Fortuna. We experienced a tour of their personal garden, tried various types of herbs that have different flavours and medicinal properties, and learned about how much pride they take in creating a delicious and grounded dining experience for travellers. Be sure to use Waze alongside the instructions provided to find the spot as it is slightly tucked away, but otherwise we would reccommend this experience to anyone in the area.
Amazing!!
Shruti T,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I loved this experience!! Not only was the food amazing but they were so nice, welcoming and made us feel like we were at home! they have a beautiful place. Definitely would recommend trying out their farm to table cooking class!
One of a kind Costa Rican experience
Caitlyn K,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This experience was such a treat during our trip to Costa Rica. We enjoyed that this was a hands on activity and we were able to take part in cooking the meal, which was absolutely delicious. It’s a farm to table meal in the truest sense as the host uses herbs, honey, vegetables, etc right from her garden. She is so friendly and personable which adds to the experience
A Beautiful Way to Experience Local Culture
peaceofmindy,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This cooking class ended up being one of the most meaningful experiences of our entire trip. It felt so much more than just learning recipes. We walked through the garden first, learning about different medicinal plants and ingredients growing right there on the property. Hearing how turmeric, ginger, and other herbs are used not just for flavor but for healing made it feel deeper and more connected to the land. Everything we made was fresh and vibrant. You could taste how real the ingredients were. The colors alone were beautiful. It reminded me how simple food can be when it is grown with intention and prepared with care. What really made it special though was the hosts. They made us feel like family from the moment we arrived. The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, not rushed or touristy at all. Their sweet dogs stayed with us the entire time, happily wandering around and soaking up attention. They were so friendly and honestly just added to the warmth of the whole experience. I left feeling inspired, very full, and genuinely grateful we chose this. If you want something that feels authentic, heartfelt, and grounded in Costa Rican culture, this is absolutely worth doing.
Fun experience
clu28,Feb 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was such a fun night! Everyone was so friendly and it was fun being given a tour of her property and taste all the plants and honey she had. The food was delicious and it was a great night! Thank you!
A beauty experience
shardae c,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was such a lovely experience, it was so good that we booked another class on the spot. The host was so passion about cooking, gardening, and her country. It was such a pleasure to walk through the garden, learn about non-sting bees, guess the many plants and herbs used for the cooking class, and drink fresh sugar cane. The meal was so delicious and so was the drinks. My partner and I really enjoyed this experience and we are confident that anyone who book a class with the host will as well. Thank you for making our trip amanzing!
Incredible cooking class!!
Wade O,Jan 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00An incredible experience! The husband and wife team are wonderful and their herb garden is beautiful.
Incredible 5 star experience!
wadeo325,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The entire experience was incredible from beginning to end. The hosts made us feel like we were part of their family! The herb garden was amazing and the food/cooking was so much fun. Ivianne was so knowledgeable! I would highly recommend this experience...you won't be disappointed. Wade
A must do activity in La Fortuna!
Nekima W,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00WOW! What an exceptional experience. Hands on activity where you learn about the different ingredients in the garden, harvest herbs that you'll cook with, prepare meal in the outdoor kitchen with the chef and then sit in the dining area to enjoy your meal. This was the highlight of our trip. We did this as a family with my teenager. Host speaks English and Spanish. We cooked a traditional costa rican meal, tasted various types of honey from the bees in the garden and crushed sugar cane for juice. We would definitely do this experience again!
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