Gastronomic Experience: Traditional Costa Rican Cuisine From Monteverde
Overview
Available languages
4 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
The purpose of this experience is to provide you a real experience to cook different traditional recipes that are part of the Costa Rican culture. You can participate in the whole process, from the dish preparation to the tasting. Classes are held in an area that has been very well equipped, each participant is given a personalized apron and hair covered. The experience takes place on a family farm in the surroundings of Santa Elena and Monteverde. The family is the one that assists you and will present the experience of Tica cuisine. All the ingredients and utensils for the cooking class will be provided to each participant. ´´Achiotada´´ chicken, chicken with vegetables, rice with chicken, ´´vigorones´´ (pork meat), rice and beans with Caribbean chicken, tortillas, meat pot, chorreadas, prestiños, etc. are some of the different recipes we must prepare, accompanied by a natural drink with fresh fruit Seasonal, coffee, chocolate, or aguadulce.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Contact line available for handling hotel pick-up reconfirmations and day-to-day operational matters.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Santa Elena
The purpose of this experience is to provide you a real experience to cook different traditional recipes that are part of the Costa Rican culture. You can participate in the whole process, from the dish preparation to the tasting. Classes are held in an area that has been very well equipped, each participant is given a personalized apron and hair covered. The experience takes place on a family farm in the surroundings of Santa Elena and Monteverde. The family is the one that assists you and will present the experience of Tica cuisine. All the ingredients and utensils for the cooking class will be provided to each participant. ´´Achiotada´´ chicken, chicken with vegetables, rice with chicken, ´´vigorones´´ (pork meat), rice and beans with Caribbean chicken, tortillas, meat pot, chorreadas, prestiños, etc. are some of the different recipes we must prepare, accompanied by a natural drink with fresh fruit Seasonal, coffee, chocolate, or aguadulce.
What‘s Included
Ingredients to prepare the meal
Lunch or Dinners
Round Trip Transportation from Santa Elena / Monteverde
Tour operate with a minimum of 2 people.
Personalized Apron
Guide
Gratuities
Alcoholic Beverages
Children under 6 years old are not allowed.
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Gastronomic Experience: Traditional Costa Rican Cuisine From Monteverde
Pickup included
Reviews
4 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
An Unforgettable Taste of Authentic Costa Rican Home Cooking
701jingd,,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My daughter and I had an amazing experience learning about local Costa Rican cooking in a truly authentic setting. Our hosts, Cindy and Dina, were incredibly warm and welcoming, making us feel right at home from the start. Alex, our tour guide and Spanish/English translator, was extremely helpful, ensuring we understood every step and cultural detail along the way, without communication difficulty. At first, we thought it would be a quick process—perhaps just a brief demonstration of how to cook one dish—but the experience turned out to be wonderfully immersive, with the entire cooking process taking about three hours. We experienced the genuine cooking style of local Costa Rican residents, surrounded by a beautiful farm view in the Monteverde mountain. Cooking on a traditional wood-burning stove with fresh vegetables picked straight from the garden was unforgettable. Everything was freshly prepared and cut on the spot. We also learned how to make refreshing soursop juice for the dinner table and how to make tortillas step by step, starting from corn powder. After preparing the meal together, we shared dinner with Cindy, Dina, and Alex, and it truly felt like sitting down with family—and we shared many laughs together. The entire experience was authentic, warm, and deeply memorable. Highly recommended for anyone looking to truly experience Costa Rican culture and cuisine.
The best cooking experience- highly recommend!
anoopn723,,Dec 24, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the best cooking experience with Destination Services It was like cooking in a family home together with family. Cindy and Dina were the best chefs who guided us through the whole process. They were warm, welcoming and funny! Vanessa not only translated for us but also cooked with us! Vadi was an expert driver! We highly recommend this experience! This is on a family farm!
Cooking lesson with a local family.
Galina G,,Mar 18, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing experience! Prompt pick up. After a short drive we ended on the local farm. The host family was very welcoming. We cooked a dinner on a wooden stove from the ingredients from their garden.
GREAT tour with local cuisine!
kythoro,,Jan 4, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Gladys was our host and we went to the local produce markets with free samples of fruits and vegetables. Gladys' English was excellent and she was very knowledgeable of the culture, history and cuisine of San Jose. We walked the oldest locally owned market and the central market. We visited several historical sites and were always given time to take pictures. We finished our tour on the outskirts of town in a local restaurant that catered to us with chocolate drink samples, vegetable or pork tapas and empanadas. Food and tour was excellent and it was great to eat the local cuisine.
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Operated by Destination Services Costa Rica