Cooking Coast to Coast in Costa Rica

Costa Rica
8 nights

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Coast to Coast Culinary Adventure in Costa Rica

This culinary tour will take you on a journey from coast to coast, starting with Costa Rica’s Caribbean side. You will travel to the town of Tortuguero by boat, as it is located on a sandbar in Tortuguero National Park. The network of rivers and streams surrounding the town makes it inaccessible except by boat. The beaches are a nesting place for the green sea turtle, which you will likely spot during your visit.

From there, you will visit Arenal National Park in La Fortuna, where you can see the famous Arenal volcano from your room. Arenal is still classified as an active volcano, though it has been dormant since 2010. Thanks to Arenal’s geothermal activity, there are hot springs located all over the region which can be enjoyed year round.

Enjoy an evening swim during your culinary tour of Costa Rica. Following your visit to Arenal, you will head for the Pacific Coast. You will relax on the beaches of Guanacaste, which just happens to be the warmest and driest region of Costa Rica – the perfect weather for swimming in the ocean! Guanacaste is known for its large variety of corn dishes and its cattle farms. It is also known for the traditional dancing and music of the region, as well as being another haven for sea turtles.

Coast to Coast in Costa Rica

This is the perfect tour for those who would like a healthy mix of active adventure and plenty of leisure time. Rainforest excursions are tempered by long hours spent enjoying the beach and fresh ocean air. You will experience the natural beauty of Costa Rica in all its glory as you find yourself immersed in the landscape and culture.

Your guides in Costa Rica will help you to successfully navigate your surroundings while exploring some of the most breathtaking national parks in the world.

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Cooking from Coast to Coast in Costa Rica

DAY 1
Arrival at Juan Santamaria International Airport. Meet your driver for a private transfer to your hotel in San José.

You will stay for one night in San José at an intimate boutique hotel before proceeding to the Caribbean Coast. San Jose is Costa Rica’s capital city and it is home to all kinds of fabulous night life, restaurants, museums, and festivals. You will come across all sorts of interesting attractions in San Jose no matter what time of year you choose to stay.

You will enjoy a welcome dinner around 7pm at the hotel restaurant.
DAY 2
Pick-up at 6am to begin your shared transfer to Tortuguero. Tortuguero is a village by the sea, populated by a famous network of canals.

At 8am, you will stop for a typical Costa Rican breakfast included at Río Danta Restaurant in Guápiles.

Depart at 9:00 am for the Caño Blanco dock located in the Siquirres area.

Arrival at the Caño Blanco dock at 11am and transfer by boat to Tortuguero.

Arrive at your eco lodge accommodations around 1:30pm and have lunch at the fabulous hotel restaurant.

At 3pm, depart for a visit to Tortuguero Town and the Caribbean Conservation Corporation Museum and learn about the lifestyle of the local inhabitants.

Return by boat to the hotel at 5pm and enjoy free time in the pool or luxuriate in your surroundings.

At 7:30pm, enjoy dinner at the hotel.
DAY 3
Gather in the hotel lobby at 5:45 am for a private transfer to your next excursion. Complimentary coffee and cookies will be available.

At approximately 6am you will begin your 2 hour boating excursion through the Tortuguero canals. You will see all manner of flora and fauna, and likely a selection of the unique wildlife of costa Rica as well. For those hoping to spot a frog or a sloth, this will likely be your chance to do so.

Return to the hotel at 8am for a breakfast of fresh fruit, pastries, gallo pinto, and more.

Around 9am, you will take a walk on the private trails of the Hotel, catching sight of natural wonders you may not have been able to see during your excursion to the canals.

After your walk, you will take a private transfer by boat around 11:30am from the hotel to Tortuguero town.

Once you reach Tortuguero town, you will assemble for a Caribbean cooking class. This class will focus on coconut and will include lessons on making coconut oil, coconut fudge, and coconut shrimp. You will eat lunch together following the lesson and enjoy the sights and sounds of this lovely village.

Return to the hotel around 2pm for free time.

Meet for an upscale Caribbean style dinner at at the hotel restaurant around 7:30pm. Enjoy a selection of original dishes based on traditional fare, as well as classic Costa Rican delicacies.

Afterward you may meet for an optional night tour for “the search of the Green Turtle,” which is included in your hotel stay. This is in reference to the fact that Tortuguero is host to the protected nesting beaches of the Green Turtle.
DAY 4
Breakfast at the hotel.

Meet at the dock at 9am for your private 2-hour boat ride to Caño Blanco.

Board the bus for your shared transfer to Guápiles, where you will have a lovely lunch at a family-style restaurant nestled amidst the greenery of Braulio Carrillo National Park.

Arrive at Río Danta Restaurant in Guápiles for lunch around 12:45 pm. You will try a variety of traditional Costa Rican food and international cuisine that has been integrated into the local flavor.

Depart for Sarapiqui around 1:45pm for a Chocolate experience.

Arrive in Sarapiqui around 3pm for The Best Chocolate Tour. You will learn about the chocolate-making production from expert guides, tasting your way through the entire process. You will take part in a demonstration led by the chocolatier in charge of edible samples.

Afterward you will have another private transfer to La Fortuna, or Volcán Arenal. La Fortuna is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica because of its hot springs, which are a biproduct of the Arenal Volcan. The hot springs are rich in minerals associated with well-being, and your hotel actually has its own private network of hot springs which you can enjoy during your stay. Additionally, the national park boasts the country’s largest artificial lake, Lake Arenal, which is surrounded by picturesque mountains and forest.

Arrive at your hotel around 6:15pm.

Relax in the hot springs before having dinner on your own at the hotel or in La Fortuna. Your guide or the hotel staff can recommend local options.

Overnight.
DAY 5
Breakfast at the hotel.

meet for a private transfer to Sky Adventures Arenal at 8:30 am.

Take a cable car to the viewpoint, heading upward toward the volcano.

Meet for your Sky Walk tour at 10am, and take a guided tour in the hanging bridges. You will see parts of the forest that would be unavailable to you from the ground, and learn all about Costa Rica’s rich natural world. This sightseeing adventure in the air will change the way you think about the rainforest and give you a one-of-a-kind look at this unique ecosystem.

Stop for lunch around 1pm at an intimate local restaurant.

Return to the hotel in La Fortuna and rest for a few hours before your next cooking class. You may want to spend more time in the delightful private hot springs at your hotel or book a spa treatment.

At 5pm, you will transfer to a local cooking school for your next class. Here, you will learn to make typical Costa Rican dishes based on the local agriculture. Your instructor will guide you through regional gastronomic production while teaching you about La Fortuna’s favorite foods.

Afterward, you will eat dinner together before returning to the hotel in La Fortuna.

Overnight.
DAY 6
Breakfast at the hotel.

Meet in the lobby for a private transfer from La Fortuna to Papagayo Gulf around 8am.

Arrive in Guanacaste around 11:30am and check into your hotel. You will have access to all manner of activities and amenities during your stay, and you may choose to book additional tours or a massage.

After checking in, you may take lunch at your leisure, as all meals are included in your stay. The restaurant offers a variety of local and international dishes based on seasonal offerings and the catch of the day.

The rest of the day can be spent at leisure or exploring nearby beaches and attractions.

Dinner at the hotel at your leisure.

Overnight.
DAY 7
Breakfast at the hotel.

During your second leisure day in Papagayo Gulf, you will have time to relax and enjoy the sun and sea, or take part in hotel activities. You might go scuba diving or take another guided hike.

You may also choose to arrange a third cooking class with the hotel, which is included in the cost of your trip. If you do take part, you will learn to make Pacific Coast specialties such as ceviche and fried plantains. Your class will likely be based around the catch of the day and seasonal fruit.

If you would like to explore Guanacaste on your own, you may also arrange for additional transportation with the hotel.

You may take lunch and dinner at the hotel at your leisure.

Overnight.
DAY 8
Breakfast at the hotel.

Enjoy a final morning of free time at the hotel. You may choose to squeeze in a final excursion in Guanacaste or relax in the sun until your transfer back to the city.

Meet at the hotel around 2pm for a private transfer from Papagayo Gulf to San José.

Arrive at the San José Hotel around 7:30pm.

Dinner on your own.

Overnight.
DAY 9
Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer out to International Airport Juan Santamaria.

Coast to Coast in Costa Rica Culinary Adventure Details

Included in the 8-Night Culinary Tour of Costa Rica

Accommodations

8-Night accommodations in a 4* or 5* hotel

Food & Beverages
- Daily Breakfast.
Classes & Instructors

Your cooking classes in Costa Rica will reflect the gastronomy of each region that you visit during your travels from the Caribbean Coast to the Pacific Coast. You will take part in two Cooking Classes in Tortuguero and La Fortuna, with an optional third class available to you in Guanacaste. Your Caribbean Cooking Class will focus on classic Caribbean dishes with a coconut theme, and you will learn about the coconut’s versatility in Costa Rican cooking. Your second class will center upon Costa Rican staples, teaching you the various components of inland Costa Rica’s favorite dishes. Tropical fruits and freshly caught fish will feature prominently in all of your cooking classes. Your third cooking class will complete your basic education on Costa Rican gastronomy by showing you the favorite dishes of the Pacific Coast, such as ceviche and fried plantains.

Excursions
- Tortuguero town visit with tour of the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (Tortuguero National Park).
- Boat excursion to the Tortuguero Canals.
- Sky Tram and Sky Walk Tour (Equipment, tour guide, taxes and transportation are included).
- Best Chocolate Tour featuring immersive chocolate experiences.
Transfer Details
- Private arrival transfer from San Jose airport to your hotel
- Private departure transfer to San Jose airport
Miscellaneous
- Sales Tax

Accommodation Information

Gran de Oro Hotel

San José: The term “Grano de Oro” means “Grain of Gold” and refers to the coffee bean. This boutique hotel’s founders were enamored with the concept that one small fruit could be so valuable.

This lovely boutique hotel is located in a renovated Victorian-style home that was built at the turn of the 20th century to be a family residence. Founded in 1991, the hotel was the first of its kind in San Jose, offering a cozy and intimate setting with an emphasis on a personalized service model. Today, the hotel boasts 34 rooms and a jacuzzi terrace.

The Restaurante Grano de Oro has grown from the modest cafe it was at the time the hotel was opened, and it is now one of the most popular options in the city for fine dining. Its award winning wine cellar and one-of-a-kind menu will both satisfy and wow you.

The Hotel grano de Oro in San Jose

Your hotel room at Grano de Oro Hotel in San Jose

The dining area at Grano de Oro Hotel in San Jose.

Enjoy the rooftop at Grano de Oro Hotel in San Jose.

Grano de Oro Hotel Dining Room.

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Mawamba Lodge

Tortuguero: Mawamba is an oceanfront property, however Tortuguero Beach is unsafe for swimming due to its strong currents and tides. There is a small pathway to town which parallels the beach, allowing you to walk the short distance easily.

There is a pool next to the La Macarela Restaurant, the bar, and the lounge, which is open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The bar is fully equipped and can serve coffee or smoothies as well as alcoholic beverages.

The Machela Lounge consists of a number of floating platforms atop the Tortuguero Lagoon. The platforms are the perfect place to go to soak up nature and enjoy your beautiful surroundings.

Mawamba is part of an initiative to protect the area’s natural resources and develop a more ecofriendly model of production. They are part of several environmental initiatives and they try to follow a low impact plan of operations. One of their most effective tools for doing so is their biodigester, which allows them to treat the lodge’s sewage and convert it into methane gas for cooking.

Enjoy dining al fresco during your stay at the Mawamba Lodge.

Dine on a floating barge during your stay at the Mawamba Lodge.

Enjoy farm to table meals at the Mawamba Lodge restaurant.

The full expanse of Mawamba Lodge can be viewed from above.

There is plenty to explore during your stay at Mawamba Lodge!

Your room during your stay at the Mawamba Lodge.

A delicious dish served at the Mawamba Lodge Restaurant.

Floating Restaurant at the Mawambe Lodge.

Bungalow Accommodations at the Mawamba Lodge.

Superior Double Accommodations at Mawamba Lodge.

Walk around the beautiful acreage at your luxury eco lodge in Costa Rica.

TIK_CostaRicaTours_Relax on the porch of your private dwelling in a luxury ecolodge in Costa Rica.

TIK_CostaRicaTours_Superior Accommodations at your luxury ecolodge in Costa Rica.

You will have plenty of time to relax and enjoy nature during your stay at this luxury eco lodge in Costa Rica.

Relax in the common areas at this luxury eco lodge in Costa Rica.

Seating areas and pavilions are available as you wander the property.

Relaxing in a hammock during your stay at the Mawamba Lodge.

Enjoy the pool at Mawamba Lodge.

You will be greeted by Mawamba Lodge's helpful staff in the lobby when you arrive.

Lounge on the deck at Mawamba Lodge.

Flora and fauna can be found at every corner of the eco lodge.

Bathroom in the superior accommodations at Mawamba Lodge.

The tour of the Tortuguero Canals at Mawambe Lodge

Suite accommodations at Mawamba Lodge.

Your room during your stay at Mawamba Lodge in Costa Rica.

Entryway to your private accommodations in Mawamba Lodge.

Hammocks are available for relaxing at any time at the Mawamba Lodge.

Relaxing in the lobby of Mawamba Lodge in Costa Rica.

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Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa

Arenal: Tabacon was founded in 1991 by the Costa Rican architect, Jaime Mikowski, who fell in love with the land at the base of the Arenal Volcano, where a number of streams of hot mineral water intersected. He developed the concept of a wellness spa centered around the natural resources in the area, which would allow guests to immerse themselves in nature while luxuriating in high class accommodations.
Tabacon boasts 42 comfortable guest rooms, as well as a restaurant and spa. The resort encompasses 900 acres of lush tropical paradise, and is home to Costa Rica’s largest network of hot springs. Waterfalls flow into hidden bathing areas as guests rejuvenate in the steaming springs.

The classic Orchid Room at Tabacon resort and Spa

The bathroom attaced to the Orchid room at the Tabacon resort and spa.

Double twin room available at the Tabacon Resort and Spa.

Another view of the Orchid Room.

Suite upgrade room available at Tabacon Resort and Spa.

Bosque Bar at Tabacon Resort

Drinking at the bar at Tabacon Resort and Spa.

View of Tabacon's Thermal Spa

Thermal hot springs at the Tabacon Resort and Spa.

Relaxing hot springs.

Waterfall into the hot thermal springs.

Swim up bar at Tabacon Resort and Spa.

Spa Treatments available at Tabacon Resort and Spa.

Enjoy spa treatments during your stay.

Optional excursions available through the resort.

Fulfill all your most adventurous dreams at Tabacon resort!

Tabacon is home to a world-class restaurant.

Delicious and unique cocktails are available at the bar.

The ceviche is just one of many delicious traditional dishes available at the restaurant.

You will find only the best in food and beverage at Tabacon Resort and Spa.

Outside the restaurant at your hotel in Arenal.

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CC Beachfront Papagayo 4*

Guanacaste: This premium boutique hotel features two large swimming pools with their own wet bars, as well as two Jacuzzis and multiple dining options on the premises. The resort is surrounded by forest and located just around the corner from Papagayo and alongside Panama Beach. The tranquil and all-inclusive accommodations offer beachfront dining options, spa services, and sweeping vistas.

The clean and modern rooms offer premium amenities with butler services available as well. You will have access to additional tour and excursion services through the hotel such as white water rafting and sunset snorkeling.

Overhead view of your hotel in Papagayo Gulf.

Relaxing at your hotel in Papagayo Gulf.

Your room during your stay at Papagayo Gulf.

Arriving at Papagayo Gulf Hotel during your stay in Costa Rica.

Recreation room at Papagayo Gulf.

Dine in style during your stay at Papagayo Gulf Hotel.

Dine al fresco at Papagayo Gulf Hotel.

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