Pura Vida Cooking Class in La Fortuna from Farm to Table

We had such a wonderful...

We had such a wonderful experience with this cooking class! From beginning to end, everything was organized, welcoming, and so much fun. Dionis was an amazing guide and made the experience enjoyable and informative. You could tell he genuinely cared about making sure everyone was having a great time and getting the most out of the experience. Alice, our chef who helped us throughout the cooking class, was absolutely wonderful! She was patient, helpful, and made cooking everything feel easy and enjoyable. We loved getting hands-on and actually learning how to prepare the food instead of just watching someone else do it. It was such a fun way to experience a little more of the Costa Rican culture and food. The entire experience was relaxed, fun, and something we will definitely remember from our trip to Costa Rica. Everyone was so kind and welcoming, and the food was delicious! We truly couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I would absolutely recommend this cooking class to anyone visiting Costa Rica! If you have the opportunity to take this class, definitely do it. Dionis and Alice were both amazing, and they made an already great experience even better. 🇨🇷❤️

via Viator

Great afternoon

Great experience, lovely food, fantastic guide

via Tripadvisor

Don't miss Pure Vida Farm to Table with Jerson & Marcela

Pura Vida Farm to Table cooking class was one of the highlights of our three-week trip to Costa Rica. Marcela is a crazy good chef & let us make every dish after demonstrating and Jerson toured the organic farm & we hand picked our dinner ingredients, providing education about traditional Costa Rican cuisine & why. From the moment we arrived, we felt like welcomed guests rather than tourists. The setting is beautiful, peaceful, and surrounded by nature. We loved walking through the gardens and learning about the fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs that would become part of our meal. The hands-on cooking experience was outstanding. We learned to prepare traditional Costa Rican dishes from scratch, and the instructors explained not only how to make them but also the history and culture behind the recipes. One of our favorite parts was making the homemade plantain tortillas, which were cooked in olive oil and tasted amazing. The fresh pico de gallo and everything else we prepared was delicious. What made this experience especially memorable was the warmth and enthusiasm of everyone involved. They made the class fun, relaxed, and interactive, and we left feeling like we had spent the afternoon with friends. If you're visiting La Fortuna and want something more meaningful than just another tour, don't miss this experience. It's a wonderful combination of local culture, great food, beautiful scenery, and genuine Costa Rican hospitality. Thank you for giving us memories that Debbie and I will treasure for many years. We highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting the Arenal/La Fortuna area.

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing such a heartfelt and detailed review of your Pura Vida Farm to Table Cooking Class experience! We are truly honored to hear that this experience was one of the highlights of your three-week journey through Costa Rica. Our goal is to create more than just a cooking class—we want our guests to feel connected to our culture, traditions, nature, and the people who make Costa Rica so special. We will be sure to share your wonderful words with Jerson and Marcela. Their passion, knowledge, and warmth are a big part of what makes this experience so meaningful. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring the organic farm with Jerson, harvesting fresh ingredients, and learning about the traditions behind Costa Rican cuisine. We know Marcela will be thrilled to hear that you enjoyed preparing the dishes together, especially the homemade plantain tortillas! It means a lot to us that you felt welcomed as guests rather than tourists. Creating a relaxed and authentic atmosphere where visitors can share food, stories, and meaningful moments is exactly what we hope to achieve. Thank you for choosing Jacamar Naturalist Tours and for allowing us to be part of your Costa Rican adventure. We are grateful to have helped create memories that you and Debbie will treasure for years to come. We hope to welcome you back to La Fortuna for another authentic Costa Rican experience! Warm regards, The Jacamar Naturalist Tours Team

via Tripadvisor

Escape in La Fortuna – A Must Do!

La Fortuna to us felt very commercialized, so we were searching for something truly authentic, off the beaten path, and away from the typical tourist traps. This cooking class at La Finca Farm was the absolute perfect solution! ​From start to finish, the entire experience was magical. Our fabulous guide, Gabrielle, picked us up directly from our hotel and took us to a gorgeous, picture-perfect farm setting. We started with a wonderful short tour where we got to pick fresh fruits and spices right from the source. ​The cooking lesson itself was fun and delicious, and the lovely Marcella made the class incredibly engaging and fun. And we even got a give away apron. We learned so much about the local cuisine and thoroughly enjoyed every single bite. ​If you want to experience real Costa Rican hospitality and flavor, this is an absolute must-do in La Fortuna. We cannot recommend it highly enough!

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your amazing review! We are truly happy to hear that our Pura Vida Farm to Table Cooking Class gave you the authentic Costa Rican experience you were looking for. While La Fortuna is a wonderful destination with many attractions, we know that many travelers are also searching for meaningful experiences that connect them with the local culture, traditions, and people. We’re delighted that you enjoyed every part of your visit to La Finquita, from exploring the farm and harvesting fresh ingredients to preparing traditional dishes and sharing a delicious meal together. We will be sure to share your kind words with Gabrielle and Marcella—they will be thrilled to know they helped make your experience so special. Thank you for highlighting the hospitality and authentic flavors of Costa Rica. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope to welcome you back for another memorable experience in La Fortuna. Warm regards, The Jacamar Naturalist Tours Team

via Tripadvisor

Highly recommend!

This was one of the best parts of our family trip to Costa Rica. Our group of 10 included people from age 9 to 80. Jacamar did a fantastic job from pick-up to drop off and everything in between. We received a brief yet thorough and interesting history & geography lesson on our drive over to the farm. This experience may not be for everyone, but we enjoyed every second, from picking and learning about the plants, the actual cooking lesson (outdoors, but covered) and then eating the fresh, delicious meal we had cooked. I honestly can’t say enough. Highly recommend!

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful and thoughtful review! We are truly honored that our Pura Vida Farm to Table Cooking Class was one of the highlights of your family trip to Costa Rica. It’s especially rewarding to know that everyone in your group—from 9 to 80 years old—enjoyed the experience together. We're delighted that you appreciated every part of the day, from the transportation and the introduction to Costa Rica's history and geography, to exploring the farm, learning about the plants, preparing traditional recipes, and finally sharing the meal you created together. Our goal is to provide an authentic experience that connects our guests with Costa Rican culture, nature, and cuisine, and it's wonderful to know we achieved that for your family. Thank you for your heartfelt recommendation and for choosing Jacamar Naturalist Tours. We hope to welcome you all back for another memorable experience the next time you visit Costa Rica. Pura Vida! The Jacamar Naturalist Tours Team

via Tripadvisor