Share this tour
Offered languages
- English
- Spanish
Set in the shadow of the Arenal Volcano, the San Carlos region is Costa Rica's agricultural heartland, famous for its cattle, dairy, and volcanic soil crops. This 3-hour class takes place inside an authentic family home, offering a genuine look at northern Costa Rican home cooking. Rather than watching a demonstration, you dive straight into hands-on techniques, kneading corn masa, pressing fresh tortillas, and assembling a traditional Casado. To maximize your active cooking time, your host prepares time-consuming foundation steps (like slow-braising the beef) in advance, ensuring a seamless, engaging, and culturally rich culinary experience.
-Learn the stories and cultural traditions behind San Carlos's regional cuisine
- Learn to prepare classic Costa Rican Dishes
-Discover practical cooking techniques from a local host in a relaxed setting
-Share a complete multi-course meal and dessert around your fellow participants.
Example Menu
Starter
Fresco de Piña y Jengibre
Refreshing cold beverage made from freshly blended tropical pineapple and ginger. Includes an optional shot of local Cacique Guaro sugarcane spirit.
Starter
Gallos de Picadillo de Chayote
Warm, handmade corn tortillas topped with a traditional stew of diced native chayote squash and sweet corn.
Main
Casado de carne en salsa
Traditional Costa Rican plate featuring tender, slow-braised beef cooked in a rich tomato, sweet pepper, and onion sauce.
Main
White rice
Main
Frijoles Arreglados
Black beans seasoned with local spices, sweet peppers, and cilantro.
Main
Plátanos Maduros Fritos
Pan-fried sweet ripe plantains.
Main
Ensalada Verde
Fresh green salad tossed with a simple lime and cilantro dressing.
Dessert
Arroz con Leche y Cacao
Traditional sweet, creamy rice pudding infused with cinnamon and locally sourced Arenal cacao powder.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
The exact meeting point will be provided by our booking manager after the purchase, and the lcoal instructor will meet you there. Please contact us via Whatsapp so we can better coordinate your meeting location.
What to expect
Upon arrival, your host welcomes you with a traditional beverage—enjoy a refreshing fresco de piña y jengibre, served virgin or spiked with local Cacique Guaro sugarcane spirit. Discover San Carlos’s signature produce, including locally made cheeses, tropical fruits, native corn, and Costa Rican cacao.
In a hands-on session, prepare starters, mains, and dessert from scratch. Learn the art of mixing corn masa to hand-press fresh tortillas, cook a savory picadillo de chayote, and assemble a traditional Casado plate featuring Carne en Salsa (tender braised beef in sauce). As you cook, your local instructor shares the cultural context and history behind each food item, explaining how these regional staples fit into everyday life in northern Costa Rica. With lengthy base preps handled beforehand by your host, the class stays engaging and perfectly paced.
Finally, gather with fellow participants around the family dining table to share and enjoy the complete multi-course meal you prepared, finished with a traditional dessert with local cacao.
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Please specify any dietary restrictions, allergies, or non-alcoholic drink preferences in advance so ingredients can be adapted.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Your guide to the flawless travel experience
Popular Countries
Get our app
