Authentic Costa Rican Cooking Class & Central Market

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Authentic Costa Rican Cooking Class & Central Market

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 US$69.89  per guest
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Adult x1
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Check Availability
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Instant Confirmation
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Earliest available date: September 11, 2026
Free cancellation (24 hours notice)
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For each guest that attends this experience, byFood will donate
10 meals
Summary
Experience Details
What You’ll Experience
Where to Meet
Reviews
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Duration
3 hours 30 minutes
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Number of Guests
1 - 15 guests
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Accessibility
Stroller Accessible
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Language
English, Spanish
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Other
Pescetarian, Family-friendly
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Digital Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Join a Costa Rican Cooking Class at the historic Central Market. Discover local flavors, shop fresh ingredients, and create traditional dishes like ceviche. Experience true Costa Rican culture!

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For each guest that attends this experience, byFood will donate
10 meals

Experience Details

During this immersive experience, you'll not only indulge in the deliciousness of Costa Rican food but also gain insights into local agricultural products and other ingredients that define Costa Rica's cuisine.There’s no better place to experience local cuisine than the Central Market, a 120-year-old building full to the brim with typical Costa Rican food and drink. It’s here that we’ll also buy the ingredients for our cooking class. Learn to prepare classic Latin American dishes such as ceviche and empanadas, picadillos, all while sipping on mojitos, sodas, and tropical drinks.


There’s no better way to experience the flavour of a country than by going from market to kitchen, and we hope by the end, you feel like an authentic Costa Rican foodie! After your class, head back to your hotel with a stomach full of food and a head full of memories for you and your family that will last a lifetime.

What You Get

Coffee Tasting, learn how to brew coffee the traditional way
Chifrijo, Sweet Plantain Empanadas with cheese or beans, Picadillo and Patacones, Sweet Dessert.
Participate in a hands-on this cooking lesson and learn to make traditional dishes
Everything that is not specified that is included

Good To Know

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

What You’ll Experience

Dive into Costa Rica’s flavors! Shop for exotic ingredients at the historic Central Market, then head to a secret kitchen to cook authentic dishes with local chef. The ultimate market-to-table tour. Your adventure begins at the iconic San José Central Market, a vibrant, 120-year-old landmark overflowing with tropical colors, rich aromas, and authentic local life. Guided by your expert host, you’ll learn about local agricultural products, taste unique ingredients, and handpick the fresh produce needed for your cooking class. Next, we’ll head to our exclusive secret location for a hands-on, 2.5-hour cooking masterclass led by the talented Chef . Under his guidance, you’ll master the flavors and techniques of traditional Latin American and Costa Rican cuisine. You'll learn to prepare classic dishes like fresh ceviche, savory empanadas, and traditional picadillos—all while sipping on refreshing mojitos, tropical drinks, or local sodas. There’s no better way to connect with a country's culture than through its food. After sharing a delicious meal, you’ll head back with a satisfied appetite, new culinary skills, and unforgettable memories to share with your family!

Meeting & Pickup

Meeting Point

Banco Central de Costa Rica, Calle 4, San José, Costa Rica, CR

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In front of the Central Bank, Monumento Los Presentes.
End Point

This experience ends at the meeting point.

Cancellation Policy

Cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the experience start time to receive a full refund.

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Reviews
4.8
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based on 5 reviews
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(TripAdvisor)
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Amazing Cooking Experience
March 14, 2026

Angel was an amazing guide. He was very knowledgeable and made the entire class fun and entertaining. We learned so much and the food was delicious. We'd highly recommend this cooking class.

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(Viator)
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Fun Experience
January 29, 2026

It takes 3 to 3 and a half hours. Lots of chopping involved. Could have had sharper knives. Food was good. Angel our guide was personable and informative!!

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(Viator)
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We had Angel as our tour...
January 27, 2026

We had Angel as our tour guide! He was very knowledgeable in central market items, and as well as being able to explain things during the cooking session. The cooking portion is completed as a grou...read more

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(TripAdvisor)
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A fun afternoon with a feast at the end!
January 22, 2026

Our guide for the tour was Angel, very friendly and knowledgeable. He took us to central market to buy many of the ingredients for the cookery class, which was very interesting. The group then prep...read more

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(TripAdvisor)
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Culinary immersion in San José thanks to Angel!
August 09, 2025

Excellent morning with Angel, after a visit to the local market we cooked empanadas, plantains, tiburon, guacamole... we learned a lot and we are feasted!!!

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