Costa Rican Countryside Food & Culture Tour in Playón

love, tradition, and the freshest ingredients the land has to offer. Expect to be pleasantly surprised. The menu changes with the seasons and what’s freshly harvested from the garden or nearby farms. You might enjoy dishes made from maize, yuca, and plantain, tortillas, alongside slow-cooked meats like gallina achiotada, chicharrones traditional gallos, or hearty dishes made with yuca or chiscasquil — a nutritious native green full of ancestral flavor. You’ll also taste traditional countryside stir-fries, gently sautéed with herbs and infused with the smoky aroma of firewood, — all prepared with care following traditional recipes that have been passed down through generations.

Your meal is accompanied by refreshing, healthy drinks prepared on the spot, such as agua de sapo (sugarcane drink) or seasonal fruit infusions — the perfect complement to this countryside feast. It’s all served family-style, just as Costa Rican families have done for generations: gathered around the table, sharing food, stories, and laughter. As you eat, Doña Yuri will share tales of her family, how the village of Playón has changed over time, and folk stories deeply rooted in the land she calls home. "This is not restaurant food. This is home cooking, crafted with care over firewood by hands that carry generations of knowledge. Come eat like a centenarian — and taste the Blue Zone diet of rural Costa Rica."

After lunch, you’ll choose between two peaceful walks: ️ A 20-minute walk to a nearby hidden waterfall, with natural pools where you can swim and relax Or a 10-minute walk to the Parrita River, ideal for a refreshing dip and quiet connection with nature Both are gentle and scenic, with plenty of shade and wildlife.

You’ll enjoy a freshly chorreado coffee at the table, served with local sweets — like homemade cajetas, ripe tropical fruit, or a seasonal treat warm from the comal. It’s a time to relax, share stories, and savor the slow, peaceful rhythms of the countryside — under the trees, with a warm cup in hand.

grinding corn traditionally, learning about plantain cultivation, or discovering medicinal plants. Experience a hands-on connection with the land through activities like harvesting yuca, grinding corn in the traditional way, learning how plantains are grown, and exploring medicinal plants. Depending on the day and season, you’ll participate in one or more of these authentic rural practices, guided by Doña Yuri’s family knowledge. This interactive moment offers a glimpse into the agricultural traditions that nourish the food and culture of Costa Rica’s countryside.