Ceviche & Empanadas Cooking Class

The best part of this La Fortuna cooking class is that you do more than watch a chef work. With Chef Scott Alan and Charlie guiding you, you chop, mix, shape, cook, and then eat a full Costa Rican meal in an open kitchen with views toward Arenal and town. I like the small-group format, capped at 12 people, and the fact that the class is built for beginners rather than trained cooks.

I also like the generous food and drinks. You may prepare ceviche, guacamole, tortilla chips, empanadas, mojitos, and banana flambé, with enough food to leave you comfortably full. The main consideration is transportation: hotel pickup is not included, and the class begins at 10 a.m. at Costa Rica Cooking, outside the center of La Fortuna.

Key points to know before booking

• Hands-on cooking: You practice knife skills, prepare ceviche and empanadas, and help make dessert rather than simply watching a demonstration.
• Chef-led instruction: Chef Scott Alan teaches the class, with Charlie and local staff helping with cooking and drinks.
• Arenal views: The open kitchen looks toward the volcano and town, and the setting may include birds, dogs, and cats around the property.
• Food and drinks included: Lunch, mojitos, tropical drinks, beer, wine, soda, and water are included in the stated price.
• Small group size: The class requires at least two people and accepts a maximum of 12.
• A relaxed animal-rescue setting: The property also supports a dog rescue, which adds a warm, informal touch for animal lovers.

What the La Fortuna cooking class is really like

This is a morning activity that begins at 10 a.m. and lasts about two and a half hours. You meet at Costa Rica Cooking, at Costa Rica CookingDiag. 301 in San Carlos, Alajuela Province, then finish at the same place.

The setting matters here. The class takes place in a small restaurant and kitchen rather than a large culinary school. The cooking area is open to the surrounding views, with Arenal and the town visible from the property. Depending on the day, you might also spot toucans or hear howler monkeys nearby.

That setting gives the class a distinctly Costa Rican feel. You are not tucked into a windowless room practicing restaurant-school exercises. You are cooking in a working, personal space connected with Scott’s home and a dog rescue. It can feel more like being welcomed into someone’s local kitchen than attending a formal lesson.

The trade-off is that this is not a polished, luxury cooking studio. If you want a quiet, highly structured class with commercial-school presentation, this may feel informal. I see that as part of its appeal, but it is worth knowing before you book.

Starting with local flavors and simple techniques

The class is designed for all skill levels. You do not need a culinary background, and the instruction includes basic techniques such as how to hold and use a knife, slice ingredients, and chop safely.

That beginner-friendly approach is useful because Costa Rican cooking often depends on straightforward preparation and fresh ingredients rather than complicated equipment. You get a chance to see how small changes in chopping, seasoning, and mixing affect the final dish.

The class may also explain how ingredients are used differently across cultures. One particularly interesting example is the use of ginger ale in the Costa Rican ceviche preparation. That may surprise cooks accustomed to a different style of ceviche, but it gives you a recipe that is easy to repeat at home.

Scott’s teaching style appears to be relaxed and social. He demonstrates a technique, then lets you try it yourself. That balance is important: you get enough direction to avoid feeling lost, but you also have a real role in preparing the meal.

Ceviche, guacamole, and the first tastes

Ceviche is one of the central dishes in the class. You learn how the ingredients come together, how the mixture is seasoned, and how the local approach differs from versions you may have eaten elsewhere.

The ceviche is served as part of the meal, often alongside guacamole and tortilla chips. These early dishes help break up the lesson because you can taste the results while continuing with the rest of the cooking.

The guacamole is a small but worthwhile part of the experience. Even people who normally do not care for guacamole may find the freshly prepared version more appealing than a packaged dip. It also gives you a quick recipe to repeat at home with ingredients that are easy to find.

This section is especially good for couples or families who want to work together. One person can chop, another can mix, and children can watch some of the knife work while taking part in simpler tasks. The class has been used successfully by families with children as young as seven, though the adult supervision and exact role for each child will depend on the class.

Making empanadas from scratch

The empanada portion gives you the most tactile work of the class. You help prepare the filling, shape the dough, and cook the pastries. Chicken is one filling used in the class, and the final batch may be large enough for you to take some with you.

That last detail improves the value. You are not paying for a tiny tasting menu that disappears in a few bites. You make enough food for a proper lunch, and extra empanadas may provide a snack later.

The lesson also shows how approachable these dishes can be. You do not need to be good at cooking to fold an empanada, and the hands-on format helps you remember the steps. Several people who described themselves as basic cooks still found the recipe manageable.

If you do not eat meat, contact the provider before booking to discuss options. A previous participant described receiving a vegan adjustment, but the published experience does not promise a vegetarian or vegan menu for every class. It is better to ask in advance than to assume the substitution will be available.

Mojitos, tropical drinks, and a full lunch

The drinks are a major part of the experience. The class includes mojitos, sodas, wine, beer, water, and tropical drinks. Charlie prepares cocktails during the session, including fruit versions such as pineapple and passion fruit mojitos.

The phrase all you can drink is part of the stated inclusion, so this is more than one welcome beverage. That can add real value to the $76.93 price, particularly if you enjoy cocktails and plan to spend the full morning at the class.

You should also keep the alcohol component in mind. If you are driving, pregnant, caring for children, or simply do not drink, the nonalcoholic choices include sodas, water, and tropical drinks. The class has also accommodated mocktails for children, according to the experience details shared by a family group.

The meal itself is included as lunch. You may eat the ceviche, empanadas, guacamole, chips, and dessert you helped prepare. Portions are described as plentiful, and the combination of food and drinks means you should not need to plan another meal immediately afterward.

Banana flambé for dessert

The dessert is typically a banana flambé, which gives the class a fun finish. The preparation adds a little showmanship without turning the lesson into a restaurant performance.

It is also a good reminder that the class is not limited to savory dishes. You learn a dessert technique using a familiar local ingredient, and the result can appeal even to people who do not usually choose bananas.

Because the dessert comes after the cooking and meal preparation, it works as a final shared project. You finish with something warm and sweet rather than simply ending after the main course.

A dog rescue adds an unexpected layer

The property also supports a small dog rescue. Friendly dogs may be around the cooking area, and cats are also present on the property. For people who enjoy animals, this is a memorable part of the visit and helps explain the relaxed, home-based character of the class.

You may have the chance to walk dogs after cooking, but that should not be treated as a guaranteed part of the scheduled class. It depends on time, interest, and what the rescue needs that day.

The animals are a plus for many families and couples, but they are also something to consider if you have allergies or prefer a strictly culinary setting. Service animals are allowed, and the location is near public transportation.

Is $76.93 good value?

At $76.93 per person, this is not the cheapest meal you will find in La Fortuna. It is also more than a simple restaurant lunch. The better comparison is a two-and-a-half-hour activity that includes instruction, a hands-on meal, dessert, cocktails, and a small-group setting.

The price looks strongest if you value participation. You are learning recipes you can repeat at home, practicing basic knife and cooking skills, and eating the results. The included drinks also make the cost easier to justify, especially for adults who plan to enjoy the mojitos, beer, wine, and tropical drinks.

The value is less clear if you only want to sample Costa Rican food. In that case, a local restaurant will cost less and require less time. This class earns its price by turning lunch into an activity.

The maximum group size is 12, but smaller groups are possible. A group of four, for example, can receive more direct attention than a full class. The minimum is two people, so solo visitors cannot book it alone unless they join an existing booking or arrange another option.

Getting there and planning your morning

Hotel transportation is not included. You need to arrange your own way to Costa Rica CookingDiag. 301, Provincia de Alajuela, San Carlos, Costa Rica.

The location is near public transportation, but the available information does not specify a shuttle route, taxi price, or walking time from particular La Fortuna hotels. Check the route from your accommodation before booking and allow enough time to arrive for the 10 a.m. start.

The activity returns to the same meeting point. That makes it easier to plan the rest of your day, though you should not schedule a tight connection immediately afterward. The class can run for approximately two and a half hours, and cooking sessions naturally have some variation.

Confirmation is provided within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Because the class requires at least two people, the provider may offer another date or experience, or a full refund, if the minimum is not met.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this class for couples who want a break from hot springs, hikes, and sightseeing. It gives you a slower morning and a shared project, with enough food to make the time feel substantial.

It also suits families. Children can watch knife demonstrations, help with simple tasks, enjoy mocktails, and eat familiar foods such as empanadas and dessert. The animal rescue can make the visit especially appealing to children who like dogs.

Beginner cooks are a natural match, but experienced home cooks are not left out. Scott covers basic skills while also discussing variations and different ways of preparing the dishes. Someone who already cooks regularly may still pick up a useful technique or a new approach to ceviche.

This is not the best choice for anyone who dislikes group activities, cannot eat the planned ingredients, or wants transportation included. You should also confirm dietary needs in advance rather than relying on substitutions.

Should you book the Ceviche and Empanadas Cooking Class?

I would book it if you want an interactive morning with food, drinks, local scenery, and a personal setting. The strongest reasons are the hands-on teaching, the small maximum group size, the Arenal views, and the unusually generous list of included food and drinks.

Book early if your dates are fixed. The class is often reserved about a month ahead, with an average booking time of 32 days. Confirm your transport, ask about dietary adjustments, and remember that the 10 a.m. start requires a morning commitment.

Skip it if you only want a quick lunch or if you prefer a formal culinary school. For everyone else, especially couples, families, and beginner cooks, this is one of the more useful ways to spend a morning in La Fortuna. You leave with a full meal, recipes, and practical skills instead of just another photograph.

FAQ

Where does the cooking class take place?

The class takes place at Costa Rica CookingDiag. 301, Provincia de Alajuela, San Carlos, Costa Rica. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the class start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The class lasts approximately two hours and 30 minutes.

What food is prepared during the class?

The class focuses on ceviche and empanadas. The experience also includes guacamole, tortilla chips, and a typical dessert, with banana flambé described as the dessert prepared during the class.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks are mojitos, sodas, wine, beer, water, and tropical drinks.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You eat the food prepared during the class as lunch.

Who teaches the class?

Chef Scott Alan leads the cooking class with local chefs. Charlie is also involved with preparing drinks and hosting the experience.

What is the group size?

The activity has a maximum of 12 people and requires a minimum of two people.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Transportation from your hotel is not included. The location is near public transportation.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.