TROPICAL COOKING SCHOOL
& TOUR IN COSTA RICA
 The Only Cooking Tour in Costa Rica
    Specially Designed for Visiting
   Culinary Students & Alumni

Colleges, Schools and Groups should contact us about scheduling a session

Open up to the tastes of the Tropics!

Interest in cuisines from Latin America is growing as American tastes are becoming more international and exotic tropical fruits and vegetables unique to this region are more available. Our program will provide you with the knowledge of traditional recipes and cooking techniques needed for adding authentic Latin American cuisine to your repertoire.

The Tropical Cooking School & Tour allows you to get acquainted with the Tropics, the Ticos (Costa Ricans), and their Way of Life while you are immersed in their Way of Cooking. Learn unique techniques and exciting traditional recipes that have been passed on from generation to generation. Taste exotic tropical fruits and vegetables you have never had before and learn what you can do with them! In addition to the hands-on classes at the lodge, off-site activities will introduce you the culture and history of Costa Rica.  The Costa Rican Tropical Cooking Classes will enrich your knowledge and provide you with an unforgettable experience that you will enjoy for years to come!  

View Video of this Tour

Tour Highlights: 

• Three regional cooking sessions:
      -Highland cooking with Irazema Zuniga
      -African-Caribbean cooking with Marlon Lacayo
      -Nouvelle Tropical with Rosanna Lok
  
               See Sample Menus and Instructor Bio's

• Hands-on cheese making lesson at a local organic farm

• Tour a local coffee plantation to learn how coffee is grown and processed
• Have a Chocolate Lesson, turning raw cocoa beans into chocolate to make a tasty desert.

• Enjoy a typical lunch at a local restaurant and have a hand-on lesson in making several types of tortillas

• Visit CATIE: world renowned agricultural center to see
  their vast assortment of tropical fruit

• Rainforest hike to Costa Rica's most significant archaeological site, Guayabo National Monument

• Visit Veragua Rainforest Research & Adventure Park
  for an exciting and educational Costa Rican rainforest experience and Canopy (zipline) tour.

• See the magnificent Basilica de los Angeles in Cartago 

• Folk dance show by local school children 

Optional tour extension can include:

• White Water Rafting on the Pacuare River (Class III-IV Intermediate) or Pejibaye River (Class II / Beginners). You will enjoy the thrill of the rapids and the natural beauty that surrounds the rivers.
• Behind the scenes tour and discussion of the “nuts and bolts” of running a lodge
• Soccer game with a local team or a party with students of CATIE
• Community service activity
• Tour of Irazu Volcano
• City Tour of San Jose with visits to museums

What our passengers have said about their Tropical Cooking School & Tour experience:

"This trip was educational, and fun. I walk away happy and feeling fulfilled in my trip." (Tiffany Derry)

"It was a great trip. I could not have asked for anything more. You had everything planned to a T. We did so much it was all so fun. I could not decide what was the best." (Alex Guzman)

 "The tour and guides were great, the energy they showed to everyone was outstanding. They thought of everyone, and made you feel welcomed." (Matthew Crowe) 

"I liked that we did lots of fun things that I have never done before.  I would definitely do another trip."  (Carol Treece)  

"Words cannot describe how thankful I am for the opportunity to be on this trip.  It was very well organized and executed. I had the time of my life, learned way more than I thought, and gathered memories of a lifetime.  I can't thank everyone enough, thank you for all your hard work." (Emily Bair) 

The land package includes a pre-departure newsletter, transfers, lodging, 15 meals, apron, and cookbook.

The package does NOT include passport fees, international airfare, airport departure tax, gratuities or personal expenses.

Not a culinary student or professional Chef? Then contact us about our Cooking and Tour Adventure: a modified cooking and Costa Rica tour program offering a flexible itinerary for adventurous culinary enthusiasts.