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Considering taking a cooking class in La Fortuna? Well, you’ve come to the right place! While living in La Fortuna, we took a handful of local cooking lessons – after all, farm-to-table food is a big part of the country’s pura vida lifestyle.
In fact, agriculture is Costa Rica’s main industry, so what could be better than learning to make fresh, healthy food from local families and farmers? Not only are these classes a ton of fun, but we’ve found that they’re a great way to really immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture and connect with locals.
So, without further ado, allow us to introduce you to our favorite cooking classes in La Fortuna. And don’t worry, they all cater to vegetarians!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this private cooking class on an organic farm, which uses fresh ingredients to cook a traditional meal! You can book this highly-rated tour here and see all the 5-star reviews.
Tip: Book this tour before you go with FREE 24-hour cancellation options!
Best Cooking Classes in La Fortuna
1. Private Cooking Class on an Organic Farm in La Fortuna
- Price: $75 USD
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Highlights: Guided farm tour, vegetable and herb picking, family-style meal
- Inclusions: All ingredients, 3-course meal
- Rating: 5 Stars (Read reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
We can’t say enough good things about this private cooking class!
We received a very warm welcome from our host, Hubert, and we began with a tour of his family’s farm. As we explored, Hubert taught us about local medicines and explained why the family switched to organic farming over a decade ago, which was really interesting. We got to see how different fruits, vegetables, and herbs are grown in Costa Rica and helped Hubert pick some before heading back to the kitchen, where we met the rest of the family.
Then, it was time to get to work! Together, we prepared a delicious meal that included picadillos, tortillas, and traditional chicken rice. Hubert demonstrated some local cooking techniques and as we cooked together, we got to know his family better. They made us feel so welcome, so if you’re looking for a wholesome experience, you’ll want to book this tour ASAP!
Even though we had already been living in La Fortuna for a little while when we booked this tour, we still came away knowing a lot more about Costa Rican culture and food. It’s suitable for pretty much anyone, but especially those who are health conscious as Hubert and his family put a big focus on fresh, organic ingredients and nourishment. Get excited for all the yummy food and check out our guide to Costa Rica’s traditional dishes!
We loved this tour so much that it’s our top pick of all the cooking classes in La Fortuna!
Book our FAVORITE cooking class here before dates fill up!
Related Read: Another one of our favorite La Fortuna experiences is whitewater rafting! Check out our guide to whitewater rafting in La Fortuna here and add it to your itinerary.
2. Private Evening Cooking Class with a Costa Rican family
- Price: $70 USD
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Highlights: Farm tour, 5-course meal, private cooking lesson in a family home
- Inclusions: All ingredients and equipment
- Rating: 5 Stars (Read reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
We think that this private evening cooking class is ideal for families. Not only is it hosted by a local family on their private farm, but it’s also a great way to get kids excited about cooking, healthy eating, and sustainable living. We found that our hosts had a super inspiring attitude towards eco-friendly living, and they made every aspect of this class educational and fun.
We began with a tour of the family farm and learned how they organically farm their crops. We also learned about how different herbs are used to treat various ailments and the benefits of sustainable farming practices. Then, we headed to the kitchen in the family’s homestead to prepare our meals.
This was a private class, so we had our hosts’ full attention and learned a lot about how Costa Ricans prepare their food. We made five different dishes in total, including salad, picadillos, and tortillas, and believe me when I say that we left stuffed at the end of the night!
The best part for us, though, was the opportunity to connect with a local family and hear their stories. As much as we love the wildlife and beautiful scenery of Costa Rica, it’s the people that really make this place special, and this cooking class was an excellent reminder of that. So if you’re looking to make wonderful memories with your family in La Fortuna, you’ll want to book your spot on this tour before it sells out.
Book this exact private cooking class here with FREE cancellation!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
3. Private Cooking Class with a Costa Rican Grandmother
- Price: $50 USD
- Duration: 2 hours
- Highlights: Learning local cooking secrets from a Costa Rican grandmother, picking herbs in the garden
- Inclusions: All ingredients and equipment, sugarcane juice, a meal at the end
- Rating: 5 Stars (Read the 70+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Grandma’s cooking is always the best – and this cooking class just proves it!
What initially attracted us to this cooking class was the low price tag. It’s perfect for budget travelers as it’s quite a bit cheaper than similar classes, but it still includes all ingredients and tons of food. But trust me, you won’t be cutting corners by choosing this option.
Dona Chela, the host and family matriarch, was an absolute delight. She’s warm and welcoming, and boy does she know how to cook! She kicked off the class by giving us a tour of her herb garden and even helped us spot some howler monkeys scampering around in the trees. She even did an impression of them that had us in stitches, and that was pretty much how the rest of the night followed.
After picking some herbs to cook with, we followed Dona Chela back to the kitchen and prepared a meal along with the rest of her family, all of whom really showed us the meaning of Costa Rican hospitality. We made a ton of food, including rice and fried beans, salad, picadillo, and a meat dish (although vegetarian options are available!) And like a true grandmother, Dona Chela encouraged us to eat as much as we possibly could.
If you’re looking for an authentic experience for less, then we can’t recommend this class enough. Honestly, it’s an absolute bargain for how amazing the class is – we would definitely do this again. However, that does mean that it sells out weeks in advance sometimes, so make sure you book your place well in advance!
This tour is likely to sell out – reserve your spot here before you go!
Other Things to do While You’re in La Fortuna
This is just one of the many fun activities to fill your itinerary with and there are so many other things to do in La Fortuna you won’t want to miss! These are just a few of our top picks:
- Hot springs – Be sure to get plenty of relaxation time in during your stay in La Fortuna. The Free Natural Hot Spring River is a public river running through the Tabacon Hot Springs Resort. It’s only 15 minutes outside La Fortuna and feels amazing after a day of hiking! If you don’t mind paying for a soak, there are tons of other amazing hot springs in La Fortuna to choose from too.
- Go on a night walk – After a day of adventure, going on this night walk and dinner tour makes for a fun evening experience. Guides lead you on an easy hike through the rainforest, spotting all the critters that come out after dark. To finish it off, you’ll enjoy a traditional Costa Rican dinner prepared on a wood-burning stove.
- Visit a rope swing – El Salto, or “the rope swing,” is a hidden paradise with a swimming hole, waterfalls, and a local vibe. This is one of the best free things to do in La Fortuna! You can easily walk to El Salto and swing into the refreshing waters – or ask the locals where it’s safe to jump!
- Drink great coffee – It’s no secret some of the best coffee in the world comes from Costa Rica! You can grab a cup of coffee at one of the restaurants in La Fortuna or take it a step further with a coffee tour. We had the freshest cup of coffee and tasted amazing homemade chocolate on this Costa Rican coffee and chocolate experience that takes place on a small family-owned plantation.
- Arenal Volcano – Arenal Volcano is the centerpiece of La Fortuna! You can wander the trails at Arenal Volcano National Park on your own or as part of a hiking tour. For more unique volcano views, take to the sky aboard the Sky Tram, fly by on an ATV ride, or take a leisurely sunset cruise on Lake Arenal.
Where to Stay in La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Because La Fortuna is such a big tourist town, there are a ton of amazing places to stay. We even wrote an entire blog about the best hotels in La Fortuna. However, to make it super easy, we’ve narrowed it down to our top places for each price point. So keep reading to find one that suits your needs (and budget!).
Luxury – $$$
Those with a luxury budget can wake up to views of Arenal Volcano! The Volcano Lodge is set at the foot of Arenal Volcano. It has hot springs and a lush, tropical garden on the property where you can see lots of the beautiful birds of Costa Rica, including hummingbirds! Rooms here typically start at $200 USD per night. For a luxurious stay in a natural setting, book The Volcano Lodge online here.
For arguably the most luxurious hotel in La Fortuna, check out The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal. While the rooms don’t come cheap ($600 USD+), it’s a bucket list place to stay that’s perfect for visiting Costa Rica on a honeymoon! There’s also a resort-style pool, a fitness center, a swim-up bar, hot tubs, and a spa and wellness center. If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury, reserve your stay at The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal!
Mid-range – $$
Those with a medium budget should check out Casa Luna Hotel & Spa. I stayed here on my first visit to La Fortuna and loved it. The property is beautiful, with a large pool and four hot tubs surrounded by nature. They also include a delicious breakfast at the $170 USD room rate. Casa Luna is located a short drive from town and can be booked online here.
Budget – $
One of the go-to budget options is Selina La Fortuna. I’ve stayed in Selina hostels around the world, and this is a great one. It has a fun party atmosphere and a great co-working space where we spent a lot of time. You can also book on Booking.com or Hostelworld.com for the best rate.
La Fortuna Natural Green is another budget option suited to those who prefer to avoid hostels. They offer small chalets a short walk or drive from town. Rooms start at $75 USD and include free breakfast. To grab this great deal, check prices and availability on Booking.com.
Getting Around Costa Rica
How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level.
Renting a Car
Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.
One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.
Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.
Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.
You can browse cars on Discover Cars here.
Book Shuttles
If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica, or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.
Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)
To get the best price, use the website Bookaway. They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway!
You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.
Public Bus
Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!
The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!
It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind.
Pura Vida!
Once you get a taste of traditional Costa Rican food, you’ll be jumping at the chance to learn how to make it! We love cooking classes and think they are a great way to dive into the culture further. Plus, you get to eat yummy food the whole time, and all three of these cooking classes are amazing options! I know you’ll have a great time, just as we did.
If you’re looking for more fun things to do while in La Fortuna and beyond, be sure to browse through the rest of our Costa Rica blog. We have traveled all over the country so we have lots of tips to share with you. Here are a few blogs to get you started!
Comparing 6 TOP Zipline Tours in La Fortuna: Our Personal Review
How to Get from San Jose to La Fortuna + 11 BEST Places to Stop