Sarapiquí Traditional Hands-On Cooking Class with a Local Host

La Fortuna, Costa Rica
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Duration3h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
Group sizeUp to 6 travelers

Overview

This 3-hour experience takes place inside an authentic family home, highlighting Sarapiquí's role as Costa Rica's agricultural capital for fresh heart of palm (palmito) and cassava (yuca). Rather than watching a demonstration, you dive straight into hands-on regional cooking—shaping crispy enyucados, sautéing fresh palmito, and crafting traditional drinks. To maximize your active cooking time, your host handles lengthy foundation steps in advance, ensuring a seamless, engaging, and authentic culinary experience.

Options

Shared Group cooking class
Private class

Private. Minimum 2 pax

What's included

  • Guided hands-on cooking class with a local host inside a private home
  • Bottled water
  • Full multi-course meal, side dishes, and dessert
  • Relaxed small-group setting in a local home
  • Cultural explanations and step-by-step guidance from your host
  • All ingredients and kitchen equipment
  • Welcome local drink (non-alcoholic and alcoholic options included)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Tips and gratuities

What to expect

Step into a local home in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí for an immersive 3-hour cooking class exploring Costa Rica's northern lowland flavors.

Upon arrival, your host welcomes you with a traditional beverage, enjoy a refreshing agua de sapo (cane sugar, lime, and ginger), served virgin or spiked with local Cacique Guaro sugarcane spirit. Discover Sarapiquí’s signature produce, including fresh hearts of palm, root vegetables, green plantains, and native culantro coyote.

In a hands-on session, prepare starters, mains, and dessert from scratch. Mash cassava into crispy enyucados, simmer fresh heart of palm into a picadillo, and assemble a traditional Casado plate. As you cook, your instructor shares the history behind each dish and its role in local daily life. With lengthy base preps handled beforehand, the class stays engaging and perfectly paced.

Finally, gather with fellow participants to share and enjoy the complete multi-course meal you prepared, finished with a hot caramelized plantain dessert.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

The class takes place in an authentic local home in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí. The exact meeting point and GPS location will be shared after booking via WhatsApp or email.

End point

The class takes place in an authentic local home in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí. The exact meeting point and GPS location will be shared after booking via WhatsApp or email.

Additional information

  • 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 inform us about allergies or dietary restrictions before the class.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
From
$70.00 per person
Check availability & book
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
Operated by Cook in Fiesta · Booked through Viator
More activities in La Fortuna
From
$70.00 per person
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