Top 6 Dining Experiences in Costa Rica

1.San Jose By Night: Sights & Culture Tour with Local Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 237 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $80Our pick

Walk San Jose from Morazán Park to Barrio Escalante with a local guide, learning about Costa Rican history, architecture, legends, and daily life. You’ll see the Metallic Building, Casa Amarilla, the Legislative Assembly, and National Park before dinner at Agüizotes Gastro Pub, with two beers, sangrias, or soft drinks included.

“This was my first time to Coast Roca and I was by myself. It was nice having a plan to tour the city. It ended up just being me on the tour but still was a great experience! I definitely will book again if I return to Costa Rica.”

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2.Half-Day San Jose Evening Bus Tour with Dinner and Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 112 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $80

Start at 3:00 pm with hotel pickup, then see San Jose’s National Theatre lobby, Art Museum, Central Market or Sunday craft market, and Plaza de la Libertad Electoral. A guide such as Sergio, Hector, David, or Maria provides commentary before a Costa Rican dinner. Expect a maximum of 25 people, walking, traffic, and some quick stops.

“Maria was our guide and she was an absolute delight! We was so enthusiastic about showing off the city she was proud of. She was informative, knew the history of the city and hustled along from place to place. She was very impressive! The not so great parts were the tour did not match the description of what would be offered. We spent more time sitting in traffic than actually seeing the sights. We only went into one museum and were rushed out. Were supposed to receive an alcoholic beverage with the tour and didn't.”

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3.Night Food and Culture Tour with Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 107 reviews · 4 hours · from $79Best value

Start at Morazán Park with an English-speaking local guide, then walk past San José landmarks and into Barrio Escalante. Along the way, enjoy a local drink before settling in for dinner at Agüizotes Gastro Pub, with Costa Rican dishes and two drinks included. Groups are limited to 12, and private tours are available.

“Enjoyed local guide’s insights and food at restaurant excellent.”

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4.Arenal Best 4 Attractions Full Day Combo Incl. Lunch and Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 77 reviews · 9 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $273

Spend 9 to 10 active hours around Arenal with guides such as Tony, Michael, Allen, or Anderson. Walk 16 hanging bridges, descend to La Fortuna Waterfall, hike among old lava flows, then soak at Paradise Hot Springs with dinner included. Pickup is available from downtown La Fortuna hotels, with groups capped at 15.

“Our guide Andres was great! We opted into the 4 excursions day which included Hanging bridges, Fortuna Falls, Volcano and Hotsprings with lunch and dinner included. For us it was personally way too long of a day. By the time we finished lunch we were ready to go back to our hotel but still had the volcano hike plus the hot springs remaining. 😅 I’d recommend 2 excursions MOST for one day”

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5.Night Walk Tour and Jungle Dinner in Jaco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 37 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $88Top rated

Meet guides such as Geriold, Jose, Stanley, or Alberto at Jaco’s central KFC for a 5:30 pm transfer into the rainforest. Walk a rocky river route with boots and flashlights, search for frogs, snakes, spiders, birds, and owls, swim at a waterfall, and finish with a home-cooked Costa Rican dinner.

“This was an adventure! Our guides were excellent and we felt safe the whole time. We learned a lot about the different frogs, insects, lizards, plants and snakes we came across. We were very lucky to find an Eyelash Viper. Afterwards dinner at the Green Barrel was excellent. We highly recommend this tour for an adventurous family.”

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6.Arenal Volcano Hike plus Baldi Hot Springs and Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 29 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $140

This La Fortuna outing pairs a guided two-hour walk through Arenal Volcano National Park with wildlife viewing, volcano and lake views, and roughly three hours at Baldi Hot Springs, including dinner. Guides such as Miguel and Steven have led informative outings, but expect a rocky, moderate hike and pools that range from warm to hot.

“We had a great experience. We hiked with our 2 boys under 12. We loved the hike, hot springs and lunch at Baldi. Must do.”

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