San Jose

Bites and Sights: Walking Food Tour in San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose, Costa Rica
San Jose around Bites Sigths and Markets

From $34.00

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

  • 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Sample a wide variety of Costa Rican flavors while learning about the country's cultural heritage with this San Jose walking tour. You'll shop for fruits and veggies at the Mercado Central and the Mercado Borbón, visit the National Theater and La Laguna Plaza, and try all sorts of local treats along the way.
  • Explore San Jose on foot with a local guide
  • Choose from private or small-group options
  • Early-morning and late-morning departures are available
  • Food and beverages are included in the price

What's Included

  • Learn to prepare Café Chorreado, alongside our famous Agua de Sapo infused with sugar cane and lemon
  • Savor Costa Rican-style tamales, wrapped in banana leaves, crafted by local families
  • Experience making tortillas and mastering sweet plantain empanadas with cheese
  • Try seasonal fruits in the Borbon Market
  • Indulge the traditional Caldosa corn chips at the Central Market
  • Private transportation
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • Los Presentes
    C. 4, San José, Paso De La Vaca, Costa Rica

    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.

End point

  • Mr. Sloth Coffee Shop
    Urban Tours, C. 5, San José, El Carmen, 10101, Costa Rica

    The tour ends at Mr Sloth Coffee Shop, a very special cafeteria of fine coffees and chocolates, where we will taste coffee food and cook dessert.

What To Expect

Central Market (Mercado Central)

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Mercado Borbón

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Correos de Costa Rica

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Metropolitan Church (Catedral Metropolitana)

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Teatro Nacional Costa Rica

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Templo de la Música

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Parque Espana

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Mr. Sloth Coffee Shop

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Safety Tips, San Jose is a big city like any other, it is a preventive measure to dont wear flashy jewelry.
  • Dont eat before the tour.
  • The groups are 12 people with a guide.
  • We can accommodate vegetarians and other dietary restrictions. Please notify us in advance if you have any dietary requests.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 28 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

5.0
1,002 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 1,002 reviews
Amazing food and friendly guide
Rebecca_N, May 2024
Our guide was so nice (and it was her birthday!) I am so glad I booked this because she knew exactly what fruit to buy us and I would never had this kind of market experience on my own. She walked us through several markets, buying us goodies and cutting up fruits. Then we got to taste local coffee, and tamales, and make our own empanadas. A must-do in San Jose..
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts on our farm-to-table dinner tour! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the experience, from the coffee cocktail classes to the visits to markets and historical sites. It's our pleasure to offer a journey through the flavors and history of pre-Hispanic food, and we're delighted that you found it memorable. Your feedback means the world to us, and we hope to welcome you back soon for another culinary adventure!"
Nice tour
millieisolivia, Apr 2024
We loved this experience! We walked through 2 markets, made empanadas, sampled coffee and saw many sites around town. Very knowledgeable and friendly tour guide. Would do again. The tour was nicely paced. (I have back surgery and could walk this tour with no problem.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts on our farm-to-table dinner tour! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the experience, from the coffee cocktail classes to the visits to markets and historical sites. It's our pleasure to offer a journey through the flavors and history of pre-Hispanic food, and we're delighted that you found it memorable. Your feedback means the world to us, and we hope to welcome you back soon for another culinary adventure!"
Our tour guide was...
DaJahna_C, Apr 2024
Our tour guide was amazing and very informative! We got to try a bunch of fruits, local favorites and coffee while exploring the culture of downtown San Jose! Would 100% recommend!
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts on our farm-to-table dinner tour! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the experience, from the coffee cocktail classes to the visits to markets and historical sites. It's our pleasure to offer a journey through the flavors and history of pre-Hispanic food, and we're delighted that you found it memorable. Your feedback means the world to us, and we hope to welcome you back soon for another culinary adventure!"
Absolutely loved it
Cassie_D, Apr 2024
I had such a great time on this tour. The instructions were clear, the guide was organized, knowledgeable, and friendly. We tried so many delightful things I would never have encountered on my own. I feel like I really got to know the city!
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts on our farm-to-table dinner tour! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the experience, from the coffee cocktail classes to the visits to markets and historical sites. It's our pleasure to offer a journey through the flavors and history of pre-Hispanic food, and we're delighted that you found it memorable. Your feedback means the world to us, and we hope to welcome you back soon for another culinary adventure!"
Greater than I expected
Amanda_B, Apr 2024
Had the best experience ! Tried lots of new fruits I had never eaten before. The tour guide was great and the coffee shop at the end was amazing !
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts on our farm-to-table dinner tour! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the experience, from the coffee cocktail classes to the visits to markets and historical sites. It's our pleasure to offer a journey through the flavors and history of pre-Hispanic food, and we're delighted that you found it memorable. Your feedback means the world to us, and we hope to welcome you back soon for another culinary adventure!"
Yummy Bites and Supreme Coffee
Daniel_D, Apr 2024
Food sampling at market, coffee education , making tamales. Seeing important sites in the center. Meeting other tourist is always helpful when traveling.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts on our farm-to-table dinner tour! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the experience, from the coffee cocktail classes to the visits to markets and historical sites. It's our pleasure to offer a journey through the flavors and history of pre-Hispanic food, and we're delighted that you found it memorable. Your feedback means the world to us, and we hope to welcome you back soon for another culinary adventure!"
BOOK THE TOUR
Mickayla_L, Apr 2024
Angel was amazing! This tour provided so much knowledge and great food! I love to get to experience the everyday locals.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts on our farm-to-table dinner tour! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the experience, from the coffee cocktail classes to the visits to markets and historical sites. It's our pleasure to offer a journey through the flavors and history of pre-Hispanic food, and we're delighted that you found it memorable. Your feedback means the world to us, and we hope to welcome you back soon for another culinary adventure!"
Try everything and explore
Erik_M, Apr 2024
The tour is a great value to learn not only about the city but your way around the downtown area. I thought our guide was engaging and definitely brought forth encouragement to try new things and lean about this wonderful country.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts on our farm-to-table dinner tour! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the experience, from the coffee cocktail classes to the visits to markets and historical sites. It's our pleasure to offer a journey through the flavors and history of pre-Hispanic food, and we're delighted that you found it memorable. Your feedback means the world to us, and we hope to welcome you back soon for another culinary adventure!"
Must do your, great value for money and a nice experience
Deepak_D, Apr 2024
It was an amazing experience. For the first time visitor in Costa Rica, and being a tropical person, I thoroughly enjoyed the informative tour, fruits and local food items. Our guide was fantastic and in nearly 3-3.5 hours we walked a lot and ate a lot :)
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts on our farm-to-table dinner tour! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the experience, from the coffee cocktail classes to the visits to markets and historical sites. It's our pleasure to offer a journey through the flavors and history of pre-Hispanic food, and we're delighted that you found it memorable. Your feedback means the world to us, and we hope to welcome you back soon for another culinary adventure!"
Highly recommend
Mike_A, Apr 2024
Great way to explore abit of San José. Lots of fruits for breakfast. The small coconuts were delicious. Our guide, Oscar, was great.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts on our farm-to-table dinner tour! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the experience, from the coffee cocktail classes to the visits to markets and historical sites. It's our pleasure to offer a journey through the flavors and history of pre-Hispanic food, and we're delighted that you found it memorable. Your feedback means the world to us, and we hope to welcome you back soon for another culinary adventure!"
Wonderful City Experience
Brooke_R, Apr 2024
John Pierre was amazing as a guide!!! Definitely recommend!!! Absolutely loved making empanadas and trying local fruits!!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
"Thank you so much for your wonderful review of our walking food tour in San Jose! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring the city and its vibrant markets with us, especially our focus on the circular economy at the fruit markets. Your support means the world to us, and we can't wait to welcome you back for another delicious adventure soon!"
Must see
Ryan_S, Apr 2024
Wonderful experience. Great way to experience the local culture. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the food but also provided a great history lesson about Costa Rica. The walking taco was amazing. We enjoyed the authentic tamales and making our own empanadas. To finish it off the trip we enjoyed a nice history lesson about Costa Rican coffee and savored a few cups.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
"Thank you so much for your wonderful review of our walking food tour in San Jose! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring the city and its vibrant markets with us, especially our focus on the circular economy at the fruit markets. Your support means the world to us, and we can't wait to welcome you back for another delicious adventure soon!"
Good Time
Chris_B, Apr 2024
Tour guide was excellent, had lots of good food and drinks, and a good amount culture back story of where we were. I would recommend this tour to people that have a half day in San Jose.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
"Thank you so much for your wonderful review of our walking food tour in San Jose! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring the city and its vibrant markets with us, especially our focus on the circular economy at the fruit markets. Your support means the world to us, and we can't wait to welcome you back for another delicious adventure soon!"
Positive Lesson Learned!
Mark_M, Apr 2024
This settles it: Whenever I’m in a new city, I’m reserving a walking food tour. Our guide here took us to two local markets to show off the country’s fruits, vegetables and other traditional foods. And we walked all over the central city. I feel like we got a good introduction to the country in a very short period. Great fun and an excellent value!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
"Thank you so much for your wonderful review of our walking food tour in San Jose! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring the city and its vibrant markets with us, especially our focus on the circular economy at the fruit markets. Your support means the world to us, and we can't wait to welcome you back for another delicious adventure soon!"
Great tour!
Eryn_J, Apr 2024
Amazing value! Explored downtown and sampled many varieties of fruit and typical Costa Rican food/drink. Oscar was the best; lots of jokes and very knowledgeable in local history. 10/10
Response from Host, Apr 2024
"Thank you so much for your wonderful review of our walking food tour in San Jose! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring the city and its vibrant markets with us, especially our focus on the circular economy at the fruit markets. Your support means the world to us, and we can't wait to welcome you back for another delicious adventure soon!"
Excellent Local Food Market Tour
Luciano_V, Apr 2024
Dino was a great tour guide that brought us into the local food market in downtown San Jose where we had so many locally sourced fruits and treats! Also saw some herbs and spices that have been recently used here to treat common illnesses. We also saw a coffee demonstration, made our own empanadas, and had tomales. Super yummy and delicious highly recommended!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
"Thank you so much for your wonderful review of our walking food tour in San Jose! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring the city and its vibrant markets with us, especially our focus on the circular economy at the fruit markets. Your support means the world to us, and we can't wait to welcome you back for another delicious adventure soon!"
Perfect foodie adventure
Dana_M, Apr 2024
What a great experience! Our guide, Daniel, took us on a great culinary adventure. We visited two separate markets, tasted lots of local fruit, I've cream, and ceviche. We also learned a lot about local history, had some great coffee, tamales, and learned to make empanadas the Costa Rican way. Well worth the cost. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
"Thank you so much for your wonderful review of our walking food tour in San Jose! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring the city and its vibrant markets with us, especially our focus on the circular economy at the fruit markets. Your support means the world to us, and we can't wait to welcome you back for another delicious adventure soon!"
Great tour
Rebecca_R, Apr 2024
Our tour guide was brilliant and we really enjoyed walking the streets of San Jose and trying various foods
Response from Host, Apr 2024
"Thank you so much for your wonderful review of our walking food tour in San Jose! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring the city and its vibrant markets with us, especially our focus on the circular economy at the fruit markets. Your support means the world to us, and we can't wait to welcome you back for another delicious adventure soon!"
Fun fresh food and culture experience, well worth it!
Daniel_K, Apr 2024
Excellent culture & history overview of Costa Rica, and it was a lot of fun to experience the many fresh fruits and foods our guide bought at the central market and farmer's market for us. The last stop at the coffee house and empanada making experience was a great finale.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
"Thank you so much for your wonderful review of our walking food tour in San Jose! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring the city and its vibrant markets with us, especially our focus on the circular economy at the fruit markets. Your support means the world to us, and we can't wait to welcome you back for another delicious adventure soon!"
Fun way to explore san jose
Ramesh_N, Apr 2024
Fun walking tour and great guide. Learned a lot about costa rican history and culture and enjoyed the ice cream, the church and learning to make empanadas. Yum!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
"Thank you so much for your wonderful review of our walking food tour in San Jose! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring the city and its vibrant markets with us, especially our focus on the circular economy at the fruit markets. Your support means the world to us, and we can't wait to welcome you back for another delicious adventure soon!"
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