The 5 Best Dessert Tastings in Costa Rica

1.Chocolate Making and Tasting at a Local Factory in San José

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $57Our pick

At Tapir Chocolates in Barrio Escalante, Mauricio guides you through Costa Rica’s cacao story, from fresh fruit and raw beans to chocolate drinks and finished bars. You’ll taste each stage, create personalized chocolates with local fillings and toppings, then design eco-friendly packaging. The workshop lasts about two hours and begins at 3:00 pm.

“It was a great time and learning experience. Would highly recommend this event and bring lots of friends.”

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2.Chocolate and Coffee Tour Farm Don Jorge

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 113 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $50

At Don Jorge Farm in Alajuela, guides such as Fabricio and Alexis lead you through cacao, coffee, sugar cane, tropical fruit, and local plants. You will taste fresh products, make chocolate bars and hot cocoa, prepare coffee, and sample sugar-cane juice. A short jungle walk leads to a private waterfall, with swimming possible when conditions allow.

“Fabricio was amazing. The tour was informative and fun. We were able to take our time and enjoy the plants, trees and wildlife. We asked lots of questions and got lots of laughs out of Fabricio. We made chocolate bars, hot cocoa, coffee, and had a sip of wine. We were given fresh pineapple from the farm that was so delicious. We walked down to the waterfall even though the path down to the bottom was washed out. The toucans and birds were everywhere while we made our chocolate. Then he recommended a restaurant for lunch and ended up joining us. It was so personal and really enjoyable.”

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3.Chocolate Experience in Jaco Beach and Los Suenos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 85 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $45Best value

At Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park, you’ll walk among cacao trees, taste fresh cocoa fruit, and help turn roasted beans into chocolate, powder, butter, hot chocolate, and sweet treats. Guides such as Mary, Gary, Danny, and Heidi lead the roughly two-hour experience, which suits families and pairs easily with ziplining or ATV activities.

“Mary was very engaging -- great at explaining and showing everything. I just wish that it had been a real chocolate plantation.”

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4.Chocolate and Night Tour in La Fortuna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $67

Start at Don Juan Tours La Fortuna at 5:45 pm for a two-hour evening walk focused on cacao, nocturnal wildlife, and Costa Rican plants. Guides such as Alex and Yen use a scope to spot frogs, sloths, lizards, birds, and insects. You will taste cacao, make your own chocolate bar, and sample dark, milk, and white chocolate.

“The tour was amazing! Learning from start to finish of how chocolate is made and getting to make our own bar was so fun. Yen was the best guide and spotted many frogs to show us as well as three sloths. Would definitely recommend!”

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5.Coffee & Chocolate Tour+Sloths Park & Llanos de Cortez Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $210

From Tamarindo, this private eight-hour trip visits Spring Paradise Bijagua for rainforest wildlife, a coffee and cacao workshop, Llanos de Cortez Waterfall, and a traditional lunch at El Sabor de Doña Carmen. Guides such as Dayro, Fernando, Dido, and Anthony are praised for wildlife spotting, translation, local insight, and flexible pacing.

“First let me say Our private guide, Fernando, was exceptional! He was very friendly, attentive & informative all day. He even ensured the owner of the restaurant that we had lunch at was aware of my fish allergy so that I could enjoy the delicious lunch that was served with no fear of cross contamination in the kitchen. He also took us to The waterfall first thing in the morning as there were only a handful of other people there. He said if we went at the end of the day it would be so packed that we would not have had the room to move or take any personal…”

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