Tours and Activities > La Fortuna> Pure Vida Cooking Class
Experience farm-to-table magic in La Fortuna where you'll harvest local produce from the organic farm, learn traditional Costa Rican cooking methods and savor your own yummy creation amidst the tropical rain forest.
Duration
3 Hours
Transportation
Included
Certified
Tour Guide
Mytanfeet
Customer Service
Description
The Pura Vida Cooking Class offers an immersive culinary experience that begins with a guided tour through a local family-owned organic farm. Follow your friendly bilingual Costa Rican guide through rows of tropical fruit, fragrant herbs, and fresh veggies to learn about local crops and see the sustainable farming practices first hand. Discover what are the most important crops in Costa Rica, learn how to identify them and pick your own ingredients for the meal you'll make in the cooking class. The ingredients you harvest depends on what is in season.
After harvesting your ingredients, your guide will bring you to their open-air kitchen ensconced in the tropical rainforest. For the next two hours, you will master traditional Costa Rican recipes like gallo pinto, homemade corn tortillas, picadillo, and much more. The experience culminates in a feast of your creations, paired with freshly squeezed tropical juice and delicious local coffee. At the end of this educational and fun cooking experience, you will leave with a greater appreciation of food and all the work dedicated to growing your own food.
The meal you cook depends on the time of the excursion. Morning excursions will cook a breakfast dish and afternoon excursions will cook a lunch/dinner dish.*
*Vegetarian/vegan/gluten free meals available upon request. Please inform us of any and all food allergies so the guide will be aware.*
Starting $99.44
per adult
Free cancellation
if cancelled before 24 hours of start time
Full cancellation policies below
Pure Vida Cooking Class Highlights
- 3 hour tour
- An organic farm tour included where you will pick your own ingredients
- Learn about traditional Costa Rica farming techniques and local produce
- Eat your own meal!
- Easy tour. Little walking on the farm which is the only outdoor portion. The cooking portion is outdoors and under roof
See What the Pura Vida Cooking Class is Like Below
What is included?
Additional Information
- Confirmation will be given upon tour booking.
- Tour must be prepaid in full to book.
- Children must be at least 3 years of age to participate.
- Morning and afternoon tours available.
- These are shared experiences.
- Does not require any previous experience.
*Morning tour pick up time is approximately 9 AM. Return is around 12 PM. Afternoon tour pick up time is approximately 230 PM, return around 530 PM. Exact pick up time will be given in the confirmation.
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking clothes
- Rain jacket in rainy season
- Sunscreen, hat and insect repellent
- A good attitude and appetite!
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policy: If the tour is cancelled in less than 24 hours of tour time and date, it is a 100% penalty fee. If cancelled outside the 24 hour window, we will give a full refund minus a 5% administration service fee. All cancellation requests must be written to us via email and confirmed in writing via email to be taken into effect. No refunds for no shows. No refunds for cancellations the day of the tour, no refunds if you are late and miss the bus. No refunds if you leave early on the tour. Refunds are given the same way invoices were completed. If cancellation is made 180 days after the initial payment date, refunds are given only via Paypal. For groups of 10+, the cancellation policy is 100% penalty if cancelled in less than 72 hours. If cancelled outside the 72 hour window, we will give a full refund minus a 5% administration service fee.
Booking form
We offer a 7% discount for adults and children for this tour. Our prices include all Costa Rican taxes and we never charge booking fees. What you see is exactly what you'll pay. While other websites might show lower initial prices, they often add taxes and fees at the end. At Mytanfeet, we believe in transparent pricing from the start.
If you can't see the booking form below, please try refreshing the page or contact us for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this experience require a lot of walking or exercise?
No. You will walk a bit when you tour the farm. The farm trails may be muddy so please wear closed toed shoes. The farm tour lasts around 30 minutes.
The rest of the cooking class is outdoors, under roof. As you will be cooking, you will be standing for about 1.5 hours but there are chairs for you to sit.
You can read about the tour in our blog post: La Fortuna Cooking Class.
Do you offer vegetarian/vegan meals?
Yes. We can include vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten free or any other type of diet but it has to be requested in the booking form. If specific diets are not requested, the standard meal plan will be prepared. If you have any food allergies, you must write that in the comments for the guide to be aware.
What is the normal menu?
For breakfast (morning tour), the menu is a typical Costa Rican breakfast of gallo pinto (riice and beans), empanadas, tortillas and other side dishes that are in season.
For the afternoon tour which will be a traditional Costa Rican casado (eaten for lunch or dinner), it will be marinated achiote chicken, picadillo (chopped vegetable hash), yucca or plantain chips and other side dishes that are in season.
Is the morning or afternoon tour better?
Both tours are great and whichever one fits in your schedule, is better. The difference is the menu, so if you want to learn how to make gallo pinto, the morning tour is the one to do. If you're interested in the chicken, then that will be for the afternoon.
How hands on is the cooking class?
100%! The idea is for you to be completely immersed in this experience. It's a fully hands-on experience from start to finish. Walk out to the garden, pick your ingredients from the farm and prepare them in the kitchen. Activities include picking plantains, pulling up yucca, harvesting herbs, gathering fruit, squeezing juice, chopping vegetables and shaping tortillas."
There will be a local cook with you to show you how to peel, dice, chop and prepare all the ingredients. If you need assistance, please feel free to ask them or your guide and they'll be delighted to help you.
Is this a good tour for kids?
Absolutely! Children who are at least 3 years of age can join this tour and they will have a blast seeing bananas growing on a tree, picking their own herbs and molding their own tortillas. Not only is this excursion educational and informative, it is very fun and entertaining for all ages.
Can I drive to the farm?
Yes. The farm is located just 2.3 km (1.4 miles) from downtown La Fortuna, about a 5 minute drive. If you have a car and do not need pick up from your hotel, you can drive directly to the farm and meet the guide there. There is a free secure parking lot. 4x4 not required but a high clearance car recommended in rainy season.
Can I eat what I cook?
Yes! That's the ultimate reward after harvesting and preparing your own meal, you get to taste your own creation.
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