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
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.
Options
Experience the Authentic Costa Rican Cuisine in La Fortuna
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
31 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The family was wonderful....
Amanda E,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The family was wonderful. It was an experience we will remember. Walking through the garden, seeing the different bees, trying different honeys, opening the sugar cane, and cooking lunch. We all were happy we found this one it was fun afternoon!
An Unforgettable Farm-to-Table Costa Rican Adventure
Ladd,May 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was one of the highlights of our trip to La Fortuna! Ivannia was an incredible host—warm, welcoming, knowledgeable, and passionate about sharing Costa Rican culture. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by the most adorable and friendly Chihuahuas, which immediately made us feel at home. The experience was so much more than a cooking class. We learned about Costa Rica’s fascinating stingless bees and sampled several unique and delicious varieties of honey. We even prepared fresh sugar cane juice before heading into the beautiful organic garden to harvest ingredients for our meal. Ivannia guided our group through every step of the cooking process, teaching us about local ingredients and traditions while helping us create an authentic, healthy, and absolutely delicious Costa Rican meal. The atmosphere was relaxed, fun, and engaging, and everyone had a great time. If you’re visiting La Fortuna and want an authentic cultural experience, I highly recommend this class. You’ll learn, laugh, eat amazing food, and leave with wonderful memories of Costa Rica!
Mother and daughter cooking class
Cadin N,May 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My mother and I had such a great time learning about the bees and their honey, walking through the garden and cooking our lunch! Eviana was great at teaching us about all of the different bees and directing our cooking experience. Everything was so delicious. We had a great time, highly recommend!
A Must!
Jacob C,May 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was above and beyond our expectations! We were greeted with a fresh fruit smoothie, visited the stingless bee hives and tried multiple honeys. We crushed and drank fresh sugar cane. We walked through the garden and picked fresh ingredients for dinner. There was a white pineapple that just turned ripe after growing for 1 year and 4 months! We picked it and ate it with the hosts. We had a desert and pour over style coffee to finish off the dinner. It was turning dark as we were leaving so we went flashlighting for frogs too! So special! So delicious! So memorable!
So good!
sophiamL1103ZC,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Such a great experience! We were told many plants and herbs in advance in the garden and we were allowed to taste different honey and make sugarcane juice :) You have noticed the love for the products and cooking. We were lucky enough to cook only in two. Spontaneous attention was paid to "extra wishes" regarding the ingredients. 10/10 more than we expected and so likeable
Better than the description
charityelder,Apr 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The description of this experience sounded wonderful on line. The actual experience was even better than we expected. The gardens are beautiful. The tour, including trying more types of honey than I even knew existed, was delightful, and educational. Getting to help prepare the meal was fun, and super organized. And enjoying the delicious farm- to-table meal was perfect. What a treat to find this hidden gem. Highly recommend!!!!
Highlight of an excellent trip
Mitchell B,Apr 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Incredible garden and excellent food. We would recommend this to anyone. We did the cooking experience in the afternoon and came back the next day for lunch. Thank you
An experience you should not miss!!!
Eric,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an amazing time at this cooking class. We got to walk through their garden collecting fresh veggies for dinner. They are also been keepers and we got to try multiple kinds of honey. The food was AMAZING and when we left we had full bellies and an experience we will remember! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
LOVED the food
Jovanna M,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I had a great time during this cooking class.We went from making our own tortillas to mixing our own spices. The food we made was sooooooo delicious! They also had the cutest little doggies there ☺️
10/10
Luca T,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The cooking class was truly a great experience! The atmosphere was very pleasant and relaxed, so you felt comfortable right away. The instructor explained everything clearly and patiently answered every question. I especially liked that you didn’t just watch, but could actively participate in the cooking. The recipes were varied, delicious, and easy to recreate at home. I learned many useful tips and tricks that I can apply in everyday cooking. I would highly recommend this cooking class to everyone—whether you’re a beginner or more experienced. It was a lot of fun, and I would definitely join again!
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