Costa Rican Culture: Market to Table Experience

Immerse yourself in the culture and history of San Jose on this historic tour. Visit the Central Market, learn about local cuisine, explore architectural gems, and enjoy an authentic Costa Rican dinner in a charming private home dining experience.

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Banco Central de Costa Rica - The tour begins at the bank’s entrance, adjacent to the Monumento de los Presentes, which features small, green figures. The discussion will focus on how this monument represents the community’s resilience and survival through tough times, connecting the past with the present. It serves as a powerful reminder of the…
What's Included
  • Walking tour of Historical Center and neighborhoods like Otoya and Amon
  • Bilingual experience
  • Special 4-course dinner at private home with Farm to Table concept
  • Cocktail making classes and tasting
  • Sangria and beer included
  • Visit Central Market, Metallic Building, Spain Park for Yellow House view
  • Pre-Hispanic, gluten-free food and ingredients
What's Not Included
  • Transportation: if you need to quote transportation service, write to us.
  • Also not included are additional food and drink beyond what is specified.
Additional Information

An All-Inclusive Evening Adventure: This experience goes beyond a typical food tour, offering a blend of historical exploration, market visits, coffee sampling, a practical cocktail-making class, and an engaging cooking session, all in one memorable evening.
• Dine in a Unique Historic Venue: Skip the busy restaurants. Conclude your evening in a…

Location
Los Presentes
Calle 4
Between Avenue one and Central Avenue on street 4, we have the Central Bank of Costa Rica, in front of the main entrance we have a Monument with several small green people, this monument is known as the Monument de los Presentes, there is where the we will be waiting to start the tour.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(478 Ratings)
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Saira_d
Oct 28, 2025
Lots to eat and drink and see in a short time - We only had 1 night in San Jose and the weather was shocking so this was the perfect trip to see as much as we could in a short time, the food and drinks were delicious and Angel was very informative and a lovely guy
Review provided by Viator
Carina_r
Oct 23, 2025
I had a great time! - Angel was a such a good tour guide. I loved the history lessons he taught us, the cooking portion and when we made the drinks. Everything was so good along with the dinner we had. I definitely recommend this experience. You get to learn about the real Costa Rica
Review provided by Viator
R3754yhmichellej
Oct 17, 2025
Great evening, great food in San Jose - I was in San Jose for a conference and had one free afternoon. Many of the tours were only available in the mornings, so I was thrilled to find this afternoon/evening option. Angel, our guide, provided a lot of interesting information on San Jose and Costa Rican history and culture. It was fun to learn about some of the local monuments, public art, and food culture as we walked along. I was sorry that I hadn't taken the tour at the start of our visit, as Angel provided many suggestions of additional things to see and do, but we are leaving tomorrow morning. The cooking and cocktail making were very participatory and we had a good time making our own empanadas and drinks, while learning about the dishes and ingredients. After making and eating our empanadas, we were then served a full dinner, which featured some of the best food that we had on our trip. Truly a fun evening and a great way to wrap up our week in Costa Rica.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nic0shaj
Sep 27, 2025
Don’t miss this one! - AWESOME experience! Angel and the staff was nothing short of amazing! Empanadas were good and drinks were also good. Coffee was 10/10.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ashas933
Sep 11, 2025
Fun team bonding experience! - Was an amazing team bonding experience! Angel was a fantastic guide providing us a very informative tour. The drinks and food were delicious and we would totally do it again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
847chinenyea
Sep 5, 2025
10/10 Solo Trip Experience - Angel was an amazing tour guide! Even though I showed up late, he came back to pick me up, which I really appreciated. We explored the downtown area, then headed to a coffee shop where we made cocktails and enjoyed a delicious dinner. I highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting San José — it’s the perfect way to enjoy a great meal while learning more about the local culture. Such a memorable experience for my first solo trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Madi_d
Aug 19, 2025
Authentic, fun & yummy!... - Authentic, fun & yummy! Angel was a Very knowledgeable and welcoming guide. Would definitely do more tours in the guest.
Review provided by Viator
Elizabeth_g
Aug 9, 2025
Informative and Fun! - Angel was a great tour guide and shared information about local history, culture, and cuisine. He was also very accommodating, guiding us through making the cocktails alcohol-free and even offering a delicious juice in lieu of wine/beer at dinner for a non-drinker. Highly recommend this experience!
Review provided by Viator
Miguel_o
Aug 8, 2025
Recommended - Very fun and different this "gastronomic tour" with Angel, very pleasant and helpful. Fully recommended
Review provided by Viator
Cavan
Jul 29, 2025
Good food, drinks, and conversation - My tour involved a simple but interesting walking tour of downtown San Jose near the central market, but the highlight was an engaging dinner and drinks. The host guided our group of 10 through making Costa Rican cocktails and empanandas, followed by an expertly prepared meal. This was simple and well-executed, and one of my favorite experiences here in Costa Rica.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $59
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).