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<p>Gorgeous beaches, jungle, cloud forests, a volcano....and amazing food! Who wouldn't want to go to Costa Rica. And if you love to experience the local food as much as I do on vacation, then this <strong>Access Culinary </strong>Costa Rica Food Tour experience is for you!</p>
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<p>Explore the markets of San Jose, stop for a delectable chocolate experience and stay on an organic coffee plantation. Take a cooking class at the base of a volcano and learn to make cocktails right on the beach. Doesn't this sound like fun?? Did I mention that most meals are included....</p>
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<p><strong>DAY 1: Our Costa Rica Food Travel Itinerary Begins in San Jose</strong></p>
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<p>Welcome to San Jose, where our Costa Rica food travel begins. After passing through immigration and customs, your driver will be waiting to take you to your lovely boutique hotel in the heart of San Jose. Spend the afternoon relaxing in the warmth of this tropical paradise before heading to your welcome dinner. San Jose is an up-and-coming foodie hot spot and tonight’s welcome dinner will be held at one of San Jose’s top new restaurants – locally sourced, contemporary cuisine with an innovative Tico twist!</p>
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<p>Drive time: 30 minutes<br>Included meals: Dinner</p>
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<p><strong>DAY 2: San Jose Market Day</strong></p>
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<p>Today, we will tour San Jose like locals. Our first stop of the day is, of course, a morning coffee break in the&nbsp;Borbón&nbsp;market. Then we’ll stroll the vibrant market, sampling local fruits while learning about the agricultural history of this area. We will visit a number of stands, including a local folk medicine stall where we’ll learn about curing everything from a hangover to a broken heart. Then we’ll head to the Central Market, which is housed in a historic 120-year old building filled to the brim with typical Costa Rican food and drink – and of course we’ll sample some delicacies!</p>
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<p>In the late afternoon, we’ll visit with a charming local family whose mission is to revive the traditional dishes of Costa Rica – some of which have been forgotten over the years. We’ll chat with the family, sample their foods, and explore their organic orchid garden which contains about 500 different species of orchids.</p>
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<p>Drive time: 3.5 hours<br>Included meals: Breakfast, dinner</p>
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<p><strong>DAY 3: Chocolate &amp; Coffee Decadence</strong></p>
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<p>Calling all chocolate lovers – today is for you! After breakfast, we’ll depart San Jose for the countryside, stopping for a rich and delectable chocolate experience along the way. You’ll learn about cocoa’s enchanting 4,500-year history, and enjoy a mouthwatering chocolate lunch including cocoa nib salad and spiced chocolate drinks.</p>
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<p>We will then make our way to our favorite organic coffee plantation in the lush central highlands. From origin to harvest, drying to roasting, and finally a delicious tasting, you’ll become an expert in bold Costa Rican coffee. We will stay the night in the beautiful boutique hotel on the plantation grounds and in the late afternoon, we will enjoy coffee and cookies on the deck of the&nbsp;finca&nbsp;amidst stunning views of the Central Valley. Our stay at this coffee plantation is certainly one of the highlights of our Costa Rica food tours!</p>
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<p>Dinner tonight is on your own. Let us know if you would like for us to arrange an optional 7-course tasting menu that is created specially for you. You are welcome to watch and chat with the chef as he prepares the meal from the organic local bounty.</p>
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<p>Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes<br>Included meals: Breakfast, lunch</p>
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<p><strong>DAY 4: Farm Lunch &amp; Hot Springs</strong></p>
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<p>After enjoying our finca breakfast, we will make our way to the iconic Arenal Volcano. Our first stop of the day will be at a charming and authentic&nbsp;finca&nbsp;known for its walking trails, abundance of tropical creatures, and commitment to the sustainable farming of pineapple, vanilla, and pepper. After we explore the plantation we’ll enjoy a delicious farm lunch prepared by the delightful family.</p>
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<p>After lunch we’ll head toward Arenal Volcano. Along the way we’ll stop at our favorite secluded and tranquil volcanic hot springs nestled in the lush jungle. Sink into the warm, mineral-rich waters and melt away any cares you might still have. This is truly the “pura vida.”&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Next we’ll head to our magnificent rainforest resort with view of Arenal Volcano from every room. Explore the grounds, swim in the pool, or simply relax on your deck and enjoy the sounds of the jungle.</p>
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<p>Drive time: 5 hours<br>Included meals: Breakfast, lunch</p>
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<p><strong>DAY 5: Wildlife Refuge &amp; Cooking Class</strong></p>
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<p>You may be on a Costa Rica food tour, but no trip to Costa Rica would be complete without exploring its magnificent wildlife. This morning, we’ll venture to a remote wildlife refuge set amongst marshy jungles and a slow-flowing river that is almost impossible to get to independently. We’ll take an unforgettable river safari, and with the keen eye of our expert guides, we’ll spot reptiles, birds, monkeys, sloths, caimans, and lizards as they wander along the shore. Keep your eyes on the river, too – there’s a chance of spotting the fin of a freshwater shark as it slices above the water’s surface.</p>
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<p>In the late afternoon we’ll enjoy a hands-on cooking class at the base of Volcano Arenal. Chef Scott will teach us the art of Costa Rican food as we learn about tropical cooking, grilling, and even cocktails. We’ll prepare and eat our dinner with the magnificent volcano as our backdrop before returning to our luxury jungle lodge this evening.</p>
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<p>Drive time: 3 hours<br>Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner</p>
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<p><strong>DAY 6: Blue Zone &amp; Beach</strong></p>
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<p>Today we’ll make our way from Arenal to the stunning beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula. Along the way, you’ll visit a farm in one of five Blue Zones in the world, set among the wetlands, dry tropical forest, and mangroves of the Tempisque River. A Blue Zone is defined by the longevity of its people and here you will discover the authentic “sabanero” lifestyle that leads to such a long and healthy life. We’ll tour the ranch, with its livestock and locally grown herbs and spices, and enjoy an authentic, locally produced lunch. We’ll then continue on to our lovely beachside eco-lodge in Nosara.</p>
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<p>Drive time: 5 hours<br>Included meals: Breakfast, lunch</p>
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<p><strong>DAY 7:&nbsp;Beach Day &amp; Cocktail Class</strong></p>
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<p>Costa Rica’s beautiful, secluded beaches are legendary, and we have built some relaxing beach time into our Costa Rica food tours. This morning and afternoon are at your leisure. Relax by the pool under the warm Costa Rican sunshine, take an optional guided hike to the neighboring biological reserve, or visit the nearby white sand beach to see local Tico fishermen and their colorful boats. Later today, we’ll enjoy a drinks class with tapas in the open-air lounge overlooking the stunning Pacific Ocean. Chef Thomas will teach us how to make delicious cocktails and we’ll enjoy local “bocas” as we revel in the spectacular panoramic view. This farewell happy hour will be at your lodge, set amongst a dramatic sunset, lit gardens and pools, and the emerging starry Costa Rican sky.</p>
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<p>Drive time: none<br>Included meals: Breakfast, happy hour &amp; tapas</p>
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<p><strong>DAY 8: Costa Rica Food Travel Ends</strong></p>
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<p>Sadly, our food travel in Costa Rica ends today. After breakfast, you’ll transfer to the Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR) for your flight home.</p>
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<p>Drive time: 4.5 hours<br>Included meals: Breakfast</p>
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<p><strong>Its time to go to Costa Rica! <a href="https://www.lindsaystravels.com/contact/">Contact me</a> today to start planning.</strong></p>
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