Costa Rica · WORKSHOPS

The 15 Workshops & Classes in Costa Rica That Earn Their Price

31 tours  ·  from $38

The 15 best workshops & classes you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

Surf Lessons in Manuel Antonio - What the two-hour water session feels like
Manuel Antonio Tours, Surf Lessons, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Surf Lessons in Manuel Antonio

1.Surf Lessons in Manuel Antonio

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65Our pick

Meet Glen and his surf team at Playa Espadilla Norte for a two-hour lesson built around your ability, from first-time standing to better wave choice. Instructors such as Derek, Sebastian, Isaac, and Willie teach on the beach and in the water. Afterward, keep the board for more practice that day, with water and tropical fruit included.

“Although it was a rainy, drizzle type of day, surfing was super fun. My husband and I did a lesson with Sebastian who has been surfing for over 20 years. I had been surfing once before in Hawaii and remember it being fun but super hard. This experience was totally different with me and my husband being able to ride the wave in almost every time! Sebastian was a great coach, not overbearing but gave pointers here and there. He also had the waves timed perfectly. The water was warm which was a plus, and they gave us each a bottle of water following the lesson and offered to let…”

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Cooking and Salsa Dance Lesson Combo - What you may eat at the shared dinner
Cooking Classes, La Fortuna Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Cooking and Salsa Dance Lesson Combo

2.Cooking and Salsa Dance Lesson Combo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 90 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $74

Start at 5:00 pm with hotel pickup and a hands-on Costa Rican cooking class led by instructors such as Kathy, Katherine, Jenny, or Jennifer. Prepare casado with rice, beans, plantains, chicken, and picadillo, enjoy the meal and a local drink, then learn salsa and other Latin dances in a covered open-air setting.

“This tour is a wonderful way to pass the evening after a daytime of jungle adventures. Kathy was the best cooking instructor. Although our class was small, we all got to know each other and enjoy the laughter with our new friends.”

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Sloth Tour in La Fortuna and Tortillas Cooking Class - Why the guide makes such a difference
Cooking Classes, La Fortuna Tours, Sloth Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Workshops

Sloth Tour in La Fortuna and Tortillas Cooking Class

3.Sloth Tour in La Fortuna and Tortillas Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 88 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $38Best value

Walk a former farm and wildlife corridor with guides such as David, Sergio, Jamie, or Davi, using a scope to spot two- and three-toed sloths. Then press fresh sugarcane, visit a medicinal garden, and make tortillas served with cheese, arracache hash, and juice. The tour lasts about two hours and suits families, couples, and solo visitors.

“Our family of four (2 teens) really enjoyed this morning sloth tour in a wildlife corridor seeing not only sloths but other creatures such as a Green Basilisk lizard, an agouti, bats and a sleepy porcupine. Sergio, our guide was very knowledgeable and patient. The sugar cane squeezing and tortilla making was fun and the ‘snack’ of 2 tortillas with cheese and another topping and a small cake abc fresh pineapple juice was delicious and a perfect for a mini-lunch! Highly recommended.”

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Surf Lesson + Beach day in Jaco Beach! - Starting at Aloha Josi Surf School in Jaco
Jacó Tours, Surf Lessons, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Surf Lesson + Beach day in Jaco Beach!

4.Surf Lesson + Beach day in Jaco Beach!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $52

Meet Aloha Josi Surf School in Jaco for a two-hour beginner-friendly lesson built around the tide. You get a surfboard, rash guard, sunscreen, water, beach chairs, and an umbrella. Instructors such as Jason, Jeyson, Giovanni, and Giovanny teach land safety and wave timing before helping you practice in the water. Pickup and photos are available.

“My kids (ages 13 and 15) and I took lessons with this surf school and had so much fun. It was easy to find, there was a place to park our car, and they had canopy tents and chairs set up for us to use even after the lesson, for as long as we wanted to stay at the beautiful beach. The instructors were great and we were all up on our boards in no time. Highly recommend this surf school!”

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Savegre River Rafting Class II-III from Manuel Antonio - Safety practice before the first rapid
Manuel Antonio Tours, Tour Reviews, Whitewater Rafting, Workshops

Savegre River Rafting Class II-III from Manuel Antonio

5.Savegre River Rafting Class II-III from Manuel Antonio

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $125

From Manuel Antonio or Quepos, you’ll ride about an hour to the Savegre River for a six-hour rafting day. Expect Class II to III rapids, a safety kayaker, wildlife, snacks, drinks, a homemade Costa Rican lunch, and an eight-person maximum. Guides such as Nico, Mario, Jairo, Nicholas, and Jonathan have earned high marks for safety and family care.

“This is the third time we’ve gone with this company and have not been disappointed once. I highly recommend them to anybody looking for fun and adventure. I will use them again 100%”

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Cooking Class "Cook Like a Local" La Fortuna - What happens during the two-and-a-half-hour evening
Cooking Classes, La Fortuna Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Cooking Class “Cook Like a Local” La Fortuna

6.Cooking Class “Cook Like a Local” La Fortuna

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 75 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $63

Start with hotel pickup at 5 p.m. and head to Desafio Adventure Company’s riverside cooking venue near El Salto waterfall. With instructors such as Kathy, Katherine, Jenny, or Eli, you’ll mix a tropical cocktail, prepare casado, make tortillas and picadillos, then eat together. Recipes may be emailed afterward.

“We had a fantastic time learning how to cook with Antonio and his wife. Our guides were very friendly and helpful everyone was very hospitable. Antonio even let us ride his donkey!”

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Specialized Group Surf Lesson in Playa Hermosa - Starting on the beach: board parts, pop-ups, and safety
Santa Teresa Tours, Surf Lessons, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Specialized Group Surf Lesson in Playa Hermosa

7.Specialized Group Surf Lesson in Playa Hermosa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $95

Meet Alvaro or Juan at Playa Hermosa for a 90-minute private group lesson built around safety, board skills, and constant coaching. You’ll learn how to stand, enter the water, and read your session while using a surfboard supplied by Salt Water Surfing Co. The lesson suits first-timers and surfers working to correct bad habits.

“Absolutely amazing surf lessons with Álvaro and Juan! I booked together with two friends and had an unforgettable experience. From the very first moment, we felt incredibly welcome, safe, and perfectly taken care of. They explained all the basics and the rules in the water in a clear and motivating way, which gave us a lot of confidence right from the start. Álvaro took a very individual approach, gave constant, constructive feedback, and helped us improve so quickly. The surf sessions in the lineup were an absolute highlight and so much fun. I’m already looking forward to coming back to Playa Hermosa and surfing again with Álvaro and Juan. Thank…”

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White Water Rafting class V - Orlando’s role and the safety kayak team
La Fortuna Tours, Rafting Tours in La Fortuna, Tour Reviews, Whitewater Rafting, Workshops

White Water Rafting class V

8.White Water Rafting class V

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $150

Set out from La Fortuna at 8:30 a.m. for a six-hour class V rafting trip with Costa Rica Descents. Orlando leads the raft, with Jean Carlos and other safety kayakers nearby. Expect hard rapids, waterfalls, a possible cliff jump, fruit snacks, lunch, and a relaxed farm visit with sugar cane and goats.

“Our reservation was cancelled due to weather conditions but this company deserved 5 stars for their communication and promptness of resolution. I will definitely utilize their services during my next visit. Pura Vida!”

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Savegre River Rafting Class II-III from Jaco - The scenic road to the put-in
Jacó Tours, Tour Reviews, Whitewater Rafting, Workshops

Savegre River Rafting Class II-III from Jaco

9.Savegre River Rafting Class II-III from Jaco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $167

Leave Jaco early for the Savegre River, where guides such as Orlando, Jairo, and Leonardo lead you through Class II and III rapids. The day includes breakfast, rainforest wildlife, a waterfall stop, river snacks, lunch, safety gear, and hotel transport. Expect a long scenic drive and a small group of up to eight.

“The guide (Mario) was excellent. Good river guide and very personable. The ride up the valley to the put in was incredibly beautiful.”

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Surf Lesson in Tamarindo: Private and Group - Choosing between private and group instruction
Private, Surf Lessons, Tamarindo Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Surf Lesson in Tamarindo: Private and Group

10.Surf Lesson in Tamarindo: Private and Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $70

Meet Blue Wave Surf & Tours on Tamarindo Beach for a two-hour lesson with instructors such as Andric, Jonathan, Johnny, and Paulo. You get a board, land practice, water coaching, and instruction matched to your level. Private lessons suit families, children, first-timers, and surfers ready for a shorter board.

“Excellent surf lessons for our teen sons.. they had 3 lessons with Jonathan.. he took them from being beginners to standing up in no time.. by day 3 they had progressed on to shorter boards and catching lots of waves.. Jonathan was friendly, fun and an excellent teacher. Andric who runs the surf school was also very friendly and let me sit on their sun loungers to watch the lessons.. and looked after our stuff so I could swim in the ocean and take photos! Boys were given a coconut to drink at the end of each lesson. Totally recommend this company.. thank you Blue Wave surf!”

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Surfing Lessons in Tamarindo by Tidal Wave Surf Academy - Meeting Alvaro at Tidal Wave Surf Academy
Surf Lessons, Tamarindo Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Surfing Lessons in Tamarindo by Tidal Wave Surf Academy

11.Surfing Lessons in Tamarindo by Tidal Wave Surf Academy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 67 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $85

Meet Alvaro and the Tidal Wave Surf Academy team in Tamarindo for a two-hour lesson built around safe, practical coaching. You’ll learn paddling, board control, wave selection, and how to stand and ride. Private and group lessons suit beginners and mixed-age families, with fresh fruit after the session.

“It was such a good experience and fun at my age learning surfing. Alvaro was very knowledgeable , patient and kind. Will definitely come back and try it again.”

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Pura Vida Cooking Class in La Fortuna (From farm to table) - Cooking gallina achiotada in an open-air kitchen
Cooking Classes, Farms, La Fortuna Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Pura Vida Cooking Class in La Fortuna (From farm to table)

12.Pura Vida Cooking Class in La Fortuna (From farm to table)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $99

Spend about four hours at La Finquita Farm near La Fortuna, touring a sustainable farm and cooking gallina achiotada, tortillas, plantain chips, and more. Guides such as Marco, Melanie, Nelson, and Hugo bring the farm and kitchen to life, while the small group setting keeps the class hands-on. Hotel pickup is included from central La Fortuna.

“Wow! What a great experience! Our group (of six) all agreed that of the activities we’ve done on this trip to Costa Rica, this is one of the best! Our host, Diego, started us off with a tour of their organic farm, explaining which crops are grown and how they manage them including pineapple, banana, plantains, peppers, peppercorn, a variety of herbs and spices, collecting the ones we needed for our meal. We harvested yuca root, a new experience for us. We then prepared (under guidance of the chef, Marcella) pico de gallo, plantain chips (patacones) made our own flour tortillas, and a delicious local chicken dish. The resulting food…”

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Awesome Fun Rafting Class 3 Balsa River 5-Hour Tour in La Fortuna - From La Fortuna pickup to the river
La Fortuna Tours, Rafting Tours in La Fortuna, Tour Reviews, Tours, Whitewater Rafting, Workshops

Awesome Fun Rafting Class 3 Balsa River 5-Hour Tour in La Fortuna

13.Awesome Fun Rafting Class 3 Balsa River 5-Hour Tour in La Fortuna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $88

Raft 11 km of Costa Rica’s Balsa River on a 5-hour Class 3 trip from La Fortuna. Christian, Marcos, and their team provide instruction, safety support, fruit, snacks, towels, and a traditional Costa Rican lunch. You do not need rafting experience or swimming skills, but participants must be at least 8 years old.

“Marcos and his crew were amazing. Loved the trip start to finish. Highly recommend this one for both the first professionalism and fun vibe of this crew.”

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Beginner Surf Classes - The beach lesson, step by step
Manuel Antonio Tours, Surf Lessons, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Beginner Surf Classes

14.Beginner Surf Classes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $70

Costa Rica Explorer’s two-hour beginner surf class near Dominical teaches board control, wave timing, currents, and safe ocean habits. Instructors including Alex, Josue, Angel, Jose, and Jake work with small groups of up to eight. Beginners may surf Playa Dominical or Dominicalito, depending on conditions and ability, so confirm the beach and time before booking.

“I had an epic surfing lesson with Jake about a week ago. After years of trying to learn how to surf (I'm in my 60s), and taking lessons from at least four surf instructors, I was beginning to think that surfing was a dream of mine that was just not going to come true. I decided to give it one last chance, as Jake was highly recommended as an excellent nature/surf/rapids guide (I live in Costa Rica and got the inside scoop on instructors). In short, it was the best surf day I ever had in my life. I repeatedly caught waves one after the other. More importantly, Jake explained…”

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Rafting Sarapiqui River Class II-III Costa Rica - The safety briefing and first practice
San José Tours, Tour Reviews, Whitewater Rafting, Workshops

Rafting Sarapiqui River Class II-III Costa Rica

15.Rafting Sarapiqui River Class II-III Costa Rica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $60

Spend about three hours rafting 12 kilometers of the Sarapiquí River near La Virgen. Certified guides such as Arturo, Felipe, Andres, and Philippe lead beginners through Class II to III rapids, with a safety talk, equipment, transport, fruit, cookies, and a swim stop in a natural pool. Morning and afternoon departures are available.

“We had a wonderful experience on the river today! They provided my family with lasting memories and they were very affordable and friendly. I would defiantly do this trip again if I am ever lucky enough to get back here to Costa Rica! My son and I have been on at least a dozen rafting trips and this is easily at the very top of our experiences - it’s an adventure you don’t want to miss!”

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New in Workshops

★ 5.0Surfing Lesson in TamarindoFrom $7539 reviews
★ 4.52-Hour Private or Group Surf Lesson in Tamarindo!From $5046 reviews
★ 5.0Surf lessons at Manuel Antonio BeachFrom $5539 reviews
★ 5.0Whitewater Rafting Savegre River Class II & III + Waterfall BreakFrom $9741 reviews
★ 5.0Full Day Class II-III Rafting and Canyoning Rappelling from La Fortuna-ArenalFrom $19145 reviews
★ 5.0Adventure Rafting Class III and IV in Tenorio River from Playa TamarindoFrom $18629 reviews
★ 5.0Rafting Class 2-3 Sarapiqui AFTERNOON TripFrom $9035 reviews
★ 5.0Private cooking class in organic farm at La FortunaFrom $7542 reviews
★ 5.03-Course Tropical Fusion Cooking ClassFrom $13844 reviews
★ 5.0Conquer the Ocean with Surf Masters- Surf Lessons for all LevelsFrom $6534 reviews

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