For many of us, one of the most anticipated aspects of any vacation is our dining experience: What will we eat and drink? What new favorites will we discover? One thing is known: If you book one of our Costa Rica house rentals with chef, you’ll likely come away with many answers to those questions.
Treat Yourself to a Private Chef
Professional, high-quality cuisine in an elegant restaurant. Home-cooked meals, served in the comfort of your home. They say you have to choose just one. They say that you can’t have everything. We say, who’s they? Because they’re wrong. When you stay at a luxury home equipped with a chef-ready kitchen, and layer private chef services onto your stay, you can enjoy professional, high-quality cuisine, cooked and served in the comfort of your home. Your vacation home, that is!
There are quite a few private chefs in Costa Rica, but we work with the very best – our absolute favorite: a five-star catering company and an international private chef. Why are they our favorite? Well, in addition to catering every meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and to all needs – everything from homestyle Tico meals, taco bars, and BBQs to gourmet fare, multi-course meals, and chef-plated delicacies – their services are ideally suited to various budgets, dining preferences, and group sizes. Plus, picky kids? We’ve got you covered.
So, yes. This is your official invitation to treat yourself. Whether it’s one special night or every day of your vacation, enhance your trip. Take it to the next level with a private chef. Relax. No, seriously – relaaaaax. Our Costa Rica house rentals with chef allow you to sit back while someone else (someone eminently qualified) whips up that gourmet meal and mean evening cocktail!
Because vacation is about indulgence. It’s about satisfying your cravings, for both food and leisure. And it’s absolutely the one time of year you’re supposed to have it all. So, have it all! (Speaking of, be sure to check out our all-inclusive villas with private chef Costa Rica, below.) Have your cake – your homestyle local cake or your gourmet top-pastry chef cake – and eat it, too. You deserve it.
Elevated Costa Rican Cuisine
So, what does Costa Rican fare – and its even more elusive cousin, elevated Costa Rican cuisine – entail?
Costa Rican cuisine focuses on traditional dishes and ingredients; its elevated counterpart enhances them with modern cooking techniques, high-quality ingredients, and creative presentation. This tradition-meets-culinary-school approach blends our nation’s rich agricultural heritage and diverse historic influences with contemporary trends, offering a unique and refined dining experience. It’s pretty special!
Traditional Ingredients
Costa Rican cuisine is built on a foundation of fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. As you may be aware, staples include rice, beans, fresh vegetables, fruits, and an array of seafood and meats. Peruse any local menu, and the most common ingredients include:
- Rice and Beans: The traditional “Gallo Pinto” is often reimagined with gourmet touches.
- Seafood: Fresh fish, shrimp, and shellfish are abundant and often used in ceviches, grilled dishes, rice preparations, and fried indulgences.
- Tropical Fruits: Pineapple, mango, papaya, and passion fruit are used in both savory and sweet dishes. Be sure to try our local batidos, which are fresh fruit drinks blended in water or milk!
- Vegetables: Plantains, yucca, and chayote are common, often prepared in innovative ways.
Influences and Innovation
Costa Rican chefs draw inspiration from the country’s biodiversity, incorporating unique ingredients from its rainforests, coastlines, and mountains. They also explore local history and culinary trends from around the world, continuously innovating and pushing the boundaries of traditional cuisine.
Modern Techniques
Elevated Costa Rican cuisine incorporates modern culinary techniques to enhance flavors and textures:
- Sous-Vide: Slow-cooking ingredients in a water bath to maintain moisture and enhance flavor.
- Molecular Gastronomy: Using scientific principles to create unique textures and presentations.
- Fusion Cooking: Combining Costa Rican flavors with international cuisines, such as Asian or European, to create innovative dishes.
Presentation
Presentation plays a crucial role in elevated Costa Rican cuisine, with dishes often presented as works of art. Top restaurant and personal chefs focus on plating that highlights the natural beauty of the ingredients – in Costa Rica, this often focuses on a rainbow of colors and textures – using garnishes, sauces, and creative arrangements to enhance visual appeal.
Notable Dishes
We recommend sampling some Costa Rican dishes, including in their elevated iterations:
- Ceviche: Fresh seafood marinated in citrus juices, often served with exotic fruits, herbs, and edible flowers.
- Chifrijo: A layered dish of rice, beans, pork, and pico de gallo, presented in a refined and deconstructed manner.
- Olla de Carne: A traditional beef and vegetable stew, reimagined with premium cuts of meat and modern plating techniques.
- Tamales: Corn-based dough filled with meats and vegetables, wrapped in banana leaves, and cooked to perfection, sometimes featuring gourmet fillings like truffle oil or foie gras.
Where to Dine
Even when you’re staying at one of our Costa Rica house rentals with chef, you may be tempted to try out our local dining establishments. And while a full overview of Costa Rican restaurants and nightlife would be worth of its own post – and, in fact, we’ve done that! – we’re happy to share a few of our own resources, as well as a few from our partners:
- 9 Costa Rican Foods You Simply Must Try
- Top Tamarindo Restaurants & Happy Hours
- Tamarindo Nightlife: Where to Go, What to See & What to Do
- Tamarindo Restaurants: Where to Eat
- Playa Avellanas Restaurant Recommendations
Please ask us for recommendations tailored to your stay!
Where to Stay
We have proudly curated three of our top Costa Rica house rentals with chef for a prime culinary experience:
Villa Firenze
Playa Herradura / Los Sueños | 4 Beds | 4 Baths | 8 Guests
Welcome to Villa Firenze, your private retreat in the exclusive Los Sueños Resort & Marina! Experience pure luxury as you step into this cozy Costa Rican getaway inspired by the beautiful Florence Cathedral: Built in 2007 and given a charming makeover in 2016, Villa Firenze a warm and welcoming tale of elegance and charm with Italian architectural influence. Every corner has been carefully designed with you in mind, featuring top-notch fabrics, beautiful stone, and fine artwork from around the world.
Picture this: breathtaking views, a luxurious home, and incredibly comfortable living spaces. This villa invites you to step into a dream of relaxation and elegance. Imagine waking up to the beauty of the rainforest and nearby golf courses – it’s the perfect mix of tranquility and style.
Relax by the infinity pool and enjoy the stunning scenery. Unwind in the bubbling Jacuzzi for ultimate comfort. Have a delightful meal outside in our dining and BBQ area for a fresh dining experience. Enjoy the charm of our Italian courtyard – a perfect place to relax. Sip and savor the tropical vibe at our outdoor bar – an ideal spot to unwind. And experience the epitome of luxury with our unique private helipad, setting your stay apart from the rest.
Your Culinary Experience at Villa Firenze
Villa Firenze proudly is one of our guest-favorite Costa Rica house rentals with chef, including personal chef service and tailored culinary experiences in your stay. The home is also stocked with wine and spirits, paired with your personal bartender.
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Villa Buena Onda
Playas del Coco | 8 Beds | 10 Baths | 20 Guests
Escape to Villa Buena Onda, an exclusive all-inclusive micro-resort nestled within gorgeous natural surrounds. This private luxury destination caters to groups of up to 20 people, offering gourmet cuisine, attentive staff, and top-notch amenities.
Relax by the infinity pool or indulge in spa treatments while soaking in the tranquil ambiance of Playas del Coco. Elevate your wellness routine in the state-of-the-art fitness center, designed to keep you energized and balanced during your stay. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of Spa Milagro, a rejuvenating sanctuary for mind, body, and soul.
Adjacent to the pool area is an open-air lounge, perfect for relaxation and socializing in the tropical ambiance. The swim-up bar provides a refreshing retreat within the pool. The two-tiered infinity pool, with wade-in access, features a cascading waterfall for added charm. Villa Buena Onda offers the perfect blend of luxury and relaxation, with a promise to make your stay an unforgettable experience.
Your Culinary Experience at Villa Buena Onda
Villa Buena Onda is one of our all-inclusive villas with private chef Costa Rica. This all-inclusive package encompasses full-time staff, including a chef and bartender. Enjoy all-inclusive dining with a mix of local and international flavors for breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Our private chef and full-service dining staff can customize all menus based on your tastes, dietary restrictions, and allergies.
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Essence of Dreams
Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste) | 7 Beds | 7 Baths | 18 Guests
Nestled at the peak of Playa Hermosa, this villa invites you to escape to a world of pure serenity and wonder.
Soak in million-dollar views above Playa Hermosa’s coastline, offering a breathtaking 360-degree view of volcanoes, rainforests, mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. The Sky Sanctuary, a VIP area of the villa, is equipped with a bar and awe-inspiring vistas. And as day turns to night, the surrounding landscapes come alive with a fireplace and soft lighting, creating the ideal setting for sharing moments with loved ones.
Essence of Dreams offers 15,500 square feet of opulence and luxury. The expansive pool area features a 40-foot wide salt mineral infinity pool with four in-pool loungers and a swim-up bar with a TV. The outdoor covered terrace boasts amenities like a pizza oven and a fully-equipped grilling and bar area for your outdoor culinary adventures. Enjoy cinematic entertainment in the Great Room, equipped with an 85″ QLED TV with an Atmos Theater sound system and comfy seating. The game room provides a variety of entertainment options, including poker, a video game center, a Pacman arcade, and board games suitable for all ages.
Your Culinary Experience at Essence of Dreams
Essence of Dreams is your gateway to self-discovery and the ultimate vacation experience. Your stay includes a full-time executive chef and our five-star concierge will be happy to coordinate grocery purchase and delivery.
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Looking for More Costa Rica House Rentals with Chef?
We have those – and we’re happy to connect you with just the right home for your needs. Because when you reserve one of our luxury vacation rentals, you’re guaranteeing yourself both a spectacular vacation home and full (and FREE) travel concierge services.
So, what does that mean? After you make your reservation, your personal concierge will get in touch. She’ll send our welcome book, which includes plenty of details about the area, activities, tours, and other need-to-know information. Then, your concierge will follow up, in order to know you and your travel group as well as s/he knows Costa Rica.
After you’ve built your must-see, must-experience list, your concierge will help you build your trip around your wish list: tours, adventures, spa services, personal chefs – whatever you seek, your concierge will source. Then, s/he will book them all on your behalf.
And, while you’re here, your personal concierge is on call to attend any problems, questions, or other issues. You’re never without help, and that itself is its own amenity.
