Cooking Class in San José: 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks

Cook traditional Costa Rican dishes in a real kitchen, then sit down to eat them together.

A hands-on cooking class in San José where you prepare nine authentic Costa Rican recipes in a local home, guided by a bilingual host. You'll learn techniques and cultural details as you cook ceviche, patacones, gallo pinto and other traditional dishes, then share the meal you made with your small group over unlimited drinks. The class runs about three and a half hours and includes all ingredients, aprons, a digital recipe booklet, and a curated San José Food Guide.

Options for this experience

2 options

From US$ 75 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

Shared group, alcohol excluded 18:00 Guide in English or Spanish Enjoy the complete shared group experience with only non-alcoholic drinks, ideal for those who would rather pick a fun option without alcohol

Shared group with unlimited drinks 18:00 Guide in English or Spanish Enjoy your experience even more with refills of Guaro Sour, unlimited

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What’s included

• Hands-on cooking experience with a bilingual local host.
• all ingredients, utensils and apron provided.
• the full meal you prepare (appetizer, main, dessert).
• unlimited drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic, your choice at checkout).
• digital recipe booklet and San José Food Guide.
• candid photos from the class.
• 5-star money-back guarantee.

Times

• Thursday 18:00

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Before you book

Group Up to 6

Live guide English and Spanish

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to 1d before

Ages Adult (18 and older) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (2 to 9 years) · Infant (under 2): free

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Infants must sit on laps

Operated by Cook in Fiesta

Prices and times updated today

Traveler reviews

4.50 ★★★★★ Excellent 12 verified traveler reviews

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The experience

You arrive at a real Costa Rican home and step straight into the kitchen with a small group. Your host walks you through preparing dishes like ceviche (fresh fish with lime and vegetables), patacones (fried green plantains), gallo pinto (rice and beans prepared Caribbean-style), and Caribbean chicken slow-cooked with coconut and spices. The rhythm is relaxed: focused on how locals actually cook rather than rigid technique. As you work, your host shares practical details and cultural context that rarely appear in cookbooks but make the difference when you recreate these at home. Most ingredients are common enough that what you learn travels with you.

While you cook, candid photos are taken so you leave with real memories. Your host also covers a house-made guacamole, ensalada rusa (beet and egg salad), and arroz con leche (rice pudding). You'll choose between a Miguelito or Chiliguaro (a spicy or sweet local shot), and finish with a Guaro Sour made from Costa Rica's traditional Cacique liquor (or Agua de Sapo if you prefer non-alcoholic). Drinks flow throughout, so there's no rationing.

When everything is ready, the group sits down to eat the full meal together (appetizer, main course, and dessert), at a shared table. This is where the kitchen becomes a space for conversation and laughter. You leave with a digital recipe booklet so you can cook these dishes at home, a curated San José Food Guide for further exploration, and the confidence of a 5-star money-back guarantee.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (2 to 9 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What recipes do I actually prepare during the class?

You prepare ceviche, patacones, gallo pinto, Caribbean chicken, guacamole, ensalada rusa, and arroz con leche, plus your choice of a local shot (Miguelito or Chiliguaro) and a Guaro Sour cocktail. The exact menu may vary slightly, but you'll work through at least nine dishes across appetizers, mains, and dessert.

Do I need cooking experience to join this class?

No. The class is designed for everyone from complete beginners to experienced cooks. Your bilingual host teaches practical techniques specific to Costa Rican cuisine and focuses on how locals actually cook, not on rigid culinary rules.

What's included, and what do I need to bring?

All ingredients, utensils, and aprons are provided. You bring nothing to the kitchen. The class includes the full meal you prepare, unlimited drinks, a digital recipe booklet, and a San José Food Guide. If you choose the shared group option with alcohol, drinks are unlimited throughout. The non-alcoholic option is also available.

How long does the class take, and what happens at the end?

The class runs about three and a half hours. After you finish cooking, the group sits down together to eat the meal you prepared, share drinks, and talk with fellow travelers. You'll leave with photos taken during the experience and the digital recipe booklet to recreate the dishes at home.

Is this class private, or do I cook with other people?

You cook in a small group, which keeps the experience personalized and allows you to meet other travelers. The small size means your host can give each person attention without the class feeling crowded or rushed.