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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Viviana Acosta

San Juan, Puerto Rico

USD
$80-$174 per person

Traditional Puerto Rican cooking in San Juan with a chef

Host offerings
  • House
  • Professional cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Viviana Acosta

Viviana has worked as a professional in the food industry for 23 years. She has vast experience in the kitchen, having worked the line at numerous establishments and as a private chef abroad. Parallel to that she also built a career in publishing, working as a recipe tester and developer and as a food writer and editor for various magazines and cookbooks. Currently she owns and operates a catering business from her home cooking studio, where she also conducts cooking classes on traditional Puerto Rican cuisine for locals and tourists.

When we asked Viviana, what should travelers expect during their experience with you, this is what she had to say, “I believe that it is through tradition, food and the gathering at the table, that you can really get to know a country and its people. Knowing its food and its table antics, makes it easier for the traveler to navigate through the country they are visiting.” And we couldn’t agree more!

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (1-11 guests) Viviana is professionally trained in French and International cuisine and is also very passionate about the gastronomy of Puerto Rico. Viviana is proud to share her abundance of knowledge and skill on Puerto Rican cooking through her family recipes, passed own passed down through generations and start a conversation of rich cultural exchange. A few dishes that you will share will Viviana at her dining table are tostones (smashed fried plantains), arroz con habichuelas (rice and stewed beans with Caribbean pumpkin) and piñón de amarillo y picadillo (sweet plantain lasagna with spiced ground beef). A sweet treat of homemade panetela de guayaba (guava shortbread) will be served with coffee to finish the meal.

Cooking experience: (1-11 guests) Join Viviana in her beautiful home cooking studio for your Puerto Rican cooking class in San Juan, a dream kitchen that has been built thoughtfully over the years. Learn to cook two traditional Puerto Rican dishes in your 1.5 hour hands-on San Juan cooking class. You will learn to make sofrito (a mix of aromatic herbs and vegetables, it is used as a vegetable base for arroz con habichuelas, stewed beans with Caribbean pumpkin), and crispy tostones (smashed fried plantains). Discover traditional recipes, hands-on techniques, and enjoy a taste of the island's vibrant flavors. Perfect for all skill levels! After cooking, share the meal you helped prepare with your host in her dining room.

Notes: Viviana can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, lactose free and gluten free meal requests. Please let her know in advance, while booking your experience.

Languages spoken: Spanish or English

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Tostones (smashed fried plantains)
  • Arroz con habichuelas (stewed beans with Caribbean pumpkin)
  • Piñón de amarillo y picadillo (sweet plantain lasagna with spiced ground beef)
  • Panetela de guayaba (guava shortbread)

Traveler reviews

5.0 (8)
If you’re at all interested in learning more about Puerto Rican food and culture do yourself a favor and take this cooking class with Viviana. Everything was well organized, easily understood, fun and delicious! Mahalo Viviana for a fantastic evening!
- 255penny October 29, 2024
Husband and I LOVED the immersive experience with Viviana Acosta. Her knowledge of local customs and food history was impressive. We chopped, mashed, cooked and laughed and fully enjoyed our evening. Highly recommend and will be back with friends. Thank you Viviana!!
- lauramer October 07, 2024
My boyfriend and I decided to take a cooking class and when we saw the words "sustainable farm" and "forage" we knew we had found the right one. Vivi was such a wonderful host and so passionate about what she does. We met the animals around the farm and got to work identifying and foraging our herbs (definitely make sure to wear pants and t shirt, you're going to be on your hands and knees plucking the perfect herbs from the dirt). Once we finished collecting our herbs, Vivi explained all the different properties and uses of each. She assigned us various tasks-homemade bread, herb and egg salad (this might have been my favorite dish), vegetable soup, and pasta with a delicious, light tomato sauce- everything except the flour came from her farm! The class is supposed to last about 4 hours or so, but we were all having such a wonderful time enjoying each others company, that we must have spent 6-7 hours just talking and eating. This is not your conventional cooking class, but we had the most amazing experience. Vivi even sent us home with some seeds to plant in our own garden back home. Definitely recommend for anyone looking to do something off the beaten track!
- Aleks_K February 16, 2024
What a wonderful experience! The two of us, along with our two 20-something kids and their significant others joined Viviana at her house and from the beginning she was extremely welcoming! We learned a lot about the culinary influences and history of food in Puerto Rico and made an incredible meal together. Viviana was very approachable - she obviously has incredible talent but was a fun and calming presence around those of us whose skills left a little to be desired. The stories flowed while she guided us on our tasks - it was fun to explore the various ways to use plantains in a meal. And then to eat what we had prepared was exquisite. Would highly recommend Viviana for anyone who wants to experience home style Puerto Rican cuisine.
- Eric00W January 07, 2024
Had an excellent time cooking with Viviana. Learned a lot about Puerto Rico. Viviana was a great host. Highly recommend!
- joyjG25 June 07, 2023
Viviana welcomed me into her beautiful home and provided a plethora of information regarding native ingredients, it’s culinary history and she catered to my palette and food interests :) She was very also generous with information on where I can find certain things both related and unrelated to food. I am excited to recreate these dishes at home!
- LovesTravvel June 02, 2023
Amazing experience! Highly recommend! Viviana was an engaging host, cooking delicious food and teaching about the history of puerto rican cooking in her lovely home.
- I3493O March 09, 2023
I am an avid cook and have always wanted to take a class, while on vacation, to pick up the local flavor. Since this was my first time meeting up with someone in their home, I was cautiously optimistic. Viviana far exceeded my expectations!! Her home was lovely and her kitchen was a pleasure. She was warm and hospitable and full of knowledge. When I expressed curiosity about a particular dish, not only did she tell me all about it, but we, then, whipped it up on the fly. After cooking, we sat down for a lunch that would rival any restaurant. It was like an afternoon hanging out with and old friend. Thank you, Viviana, for such an amazing experience! I’m already dreaming about my next trip to PR, and you are at the top of that list.
- Endless March 06, 2023
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Viviana Acosta

$80-$174 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $104 $88 $80
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $174 $142 $120
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $104 $88 $80
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $174 $142 $120
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-2:00pm 5:30pm-7:30pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:00am-12:00pm 4:00pm-6:00pm

Meet Viviana Acosta

Viviana has worked as a professional in the food industry for 23 years. She has vast experience in the kitchen, having worked the line at numerous establishments and as a private chef abroad. Parallel to that she also built a career in publishing, working as a recipe tester and developer and as a food writer and editor for various magazines and cookbooks. Currently she owns and operates a catering business from her home cooking studio, where she also conducts cooking classes on traditional Puerto Rican cuisine for locals and tourists.

When we asked Viviana, what should travelers expect during their experience with you, this is what she had to say, “I believe that it is through tradition, food and the gathering at the table, that you can really get to know a country and its people. Knowing its food and its table antics, makes it easier for the traveler to navigate through the country they are visiting.” And we couldn’t agree more!

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (1-11 guests) Viviana is professionally trained in French and International cuisine and is also very passionate about the gastronomy of Puerto Rico. Viviana is proud to share her abundance of knowledge and skill on Puerto Rican cooking through her family recipes, passed own passed down through generations and start a conversation of rich cultural exchange. A few dishes that you will share will Viviana at her dining table are tostones (smashed fried plantains), arroz con habichuelas (rice and stewed beans with Caribbean pumpkin) and piñón de amarillo y picadillo (sweet plantain lasagna with spiced ground beef). A sweet treat of homemade panetela de guayaba (guava shortbread) will be served with coffee to finish the meal.

Cooking experience: (1-11 guests) Join Viviana in her beautiful home cooking studio for your Puerto Rican cooking class in San Juan, a dream kitchen that has been built thoughtfully over the years. Learn to cook two traditional Puerto Rican dishes in your 1.5 hour hands-on San Juan cooking class. You will learn to make sofrito (a mix of aromatic herbs and vegetables, it is used as a vegetable base for arroz con habichuelas, stewed beans with Caribbean pumpkin), and crispy tostones (smashed fried plantains). Discover traditional recipes, hands-on techniques, and enjoy a taste of the island's vibrant flavors. Perfect for all skill levels! After cooking, share the meal you helped prepare with your host in her dining room.

Notes: Viviana can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, lactose free and gluten free meal requests. Please let her know in advance, while booking your experience.

Languages spoken: Spanish or English

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Tostones (smashed fried plantains)
  • Arroz con habichuelas (stewed beans with Caribbean pumpkin)
  • Piñón de amarillo y picadillo (sweet plantain lasagna with spiced ground beef)
  • Panetela de guayaba (guava shortbread)

Traveler reviews

5.0 (8)
If you’re at all interested in learning more about Puerto Rican food and culture do yourself a favor and take this cooking class with Viviana. Everything was well organized, easily understood, fun and delicious! Mahalo Viviana for a fantastic evening!
- 255penny October 29, 2024
Husband and I LOVED the immersive experience with Viviana Acosta. Her knowledge of local customs and food history was impressive. We chopped, mashed, cooked and laughed and fully enjoyed our evening. Highly recommend and will be back with friends. Thank you Viviana!!
- lauramer October 07, 2024
My boyfriend and I decided to take a cooking class and when we saw the words "sustainable farm" and "forage" we knew we had found the right one. Vivi was such a wonderful host and so passionate about what she does. We met the animals around the farm and got to work identifying and foraging our herbs (definitely make sure to wear pants and t shirt, you're going to be on your hands and knees plucking the perfect herbs from the dirt). Once we finished collecting our herbs, Vivi explained all the different properties and uses of each. She assigned us various tasks-homemade bread, herb and egg salad (this might have been my favorite dish), vegetable soup, and pasta with a delicious, light tomato sauce- everything except the flour came from her farm! The class is supposed to last about 4 hours or so, but we were all having such a wonderful time enjoying each others company, that we must have spent 6-7 hours just talking and eating. This is not your conventional cooking class, but we had the most amazing experience. Vivi even sent us home with some seeds to plant in our own garden back home. Definitely recommend for anyone looking to do something off the beaten track!
- Aleks_K February 16, 2024
What a wonderful experience! The two of us, along with our two 20-something kids and their significant others joined Viviana at her house and from the beginning she was extremely welcoming! We learned a lot about the culinary influences and history of food in Puerto Rico and made an incredible meal together. Viviana was very approachable - she obviously has incredible talent but was a fun and calming presence around those of us whose skills left a little to be desired. The stories flowed while she guided us on our tasks - it was fun to explore the various ways to use plantains in a meal. And then to eat what we had prepared was exquisite. Would highly recommend Viviana for anyone who wants to experience home style Puerto Rican cuisine.
- Eric00W January 07, 2024
Had an excellent time cooking with Viviana. Learned a lot about Puerto Rico. Viviana was a great host. Highly recommend!
- joyjG25 June 07, 2023
Viviana welcomed me into her beautiful home and provided a plethora of information regarding native ingredients, it’s culinary history and she catered to my palette and food interests :) She was very also generous with information on where I can find certain things both related and unrelated to food. I am excited to recreate these dishes at home!
- LovesTravvel June 02, 2023
Amazing experience! Highly recommend! Viviana was an engaging host, cooking delicious food and teaching about the history of puerto rican cooking in her lovely home.
- I3493O March 09, 2023
I am an avid cook and have always wanted to take a class, while on vacation, to pick up the local flavor. Since this was my first time meeting up with someone in their home, I was cautiously optimistic. Viviana far exceeded my expectations!! Her home was lovely and her kitchen was a pleasure. She was warm and hospitable and full of knowledge. When I expressed curiosity about a particular dish, not only did she tell me all about it, but we, then, whipped it up on the fly. After cooking, we sat down for a lunch that would rival any restaurant. It was like an afternoon hanging out with and old friend. Thank you, Viviana, for such an amazing experience! I’m already dreaming about my next trip to PR, and you are at the top of that list.
- Endless March 06, 2023
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $104 $88 $80
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $174 $142 $120
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $104 $88 $80
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $174 $142 $120
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-2:00pm 5:30pm-7:30pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:00am-12:00pm 4:00pm-6:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 3% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can’t make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host’s profile doesn’t work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

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    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host’s family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

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    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

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