Private Chef in Los Sueños & Jacó: What It Costs, How to Book, and What to Expect
One of the best things about renting a villa at Los Sueños or a vacation home in Jacó is having a real kitchen. One of the second-best things is never using it yourself.
Private chef services are one of the most popular requests we get from guests, and for good reason. You’re on vacation, the fridge is stocked with fresh Costa Rican ingredients, and someone else is doing the cooking, plating, serving, and cleanup while you sit by the pool with a drink. It’s less expensive than taking a group of eight to a nice restaurant, and the food is often better.
This guide breaks down exactly how private chef services work in the Los Sueños and Jacó area, what it actually costs (with real numbers, not vague “contact us for pricing”), what kinds of meals you can get, and how to book one without any headaches.
How Private Chef Service Works in Los Sueños and Jacó
The format is simple and consistent across most chef services in the area. Here’s how a typical booking goes:
1. You reach out with your details. Group size, date, time, dietary restrictions, and what kind of meal you want (breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a full day of cooking). Most chefs respond within a few hours on WhatsApp.
2. You pick a menu together. The chef will send you menu options or work with you to customize one. Most have set menus (sushi night, surf and turf, BBQ, Mexican, etc.) that you can modify.
3. The chef handles everything. They buy the groceries at local markets, arrive at your villa 1.5 to 2 hours before the meal, set up, cook, plate, serve, and clean up. You don’t lift a finger.
4. You pay the chef fee plus groceries. The service fee covers the chef’s time and labor. Groceries are billed separately, usually at cost with receipts. Some chefs bundle both into a per-person rate.
The whole thing typically takes about 3 hours from when the chef arrives to when the kitchen is clean again. You get restaurant-quality food in your own space, on your schedule, with zero commute.
What It Actually Costs: Private Chef Pricing in 2026
This is the part most websites skip or hide behind a “contact us” form. Here’s what you’ll actually pay, based on current rates from active chef services in the Jacó and Los Sueños area.
Chef Service Fee (Labor)
The service fee is what you pay the chef for their time: shopping, prep, cooking, service, and cleanup. Groceries are separate.
| Service Type | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single meal (dinner), up to 10 guests | $100 to $350 | Varies widely by chef reputation and menu complexity |
| Full day (breakfast + lunch + dinner) | $150 to $250 per day | Plus groceries for each meal |
| Additional guests beyond 10 | $5 to $15 per person | Most base rates cover up to 10 people |
| Breakfast or lunch only | $50 to $150 | Simpler meals, shorter service time |
A few real examples from local operators:
- The Costa Rica Chef lists breakfast starting at $90 and dinner at $100 for groups of up to 10, with $6 per additional person. Groceries are billed separately at cost with receipts. A dinner for 8 might cost $100 (service) plus $120 to $160 (groceries), totaling roughly $220 to $260.
- Jaco Luxe lists chef service at $350 plus the cost of groceries.
- Jacó Beach Chef estimates $50 to $150 per person all-in for a gourmet meal, depending on the chef’s experience level and menu complexity.
- Jaco Chef advertises breakfast and dinner together for $70 per person, all services included.
Grocery Costs
Groceries are almost always billed separately. Expect $15 to $25 per person for a standard dinner menu. That number goes up if you’re requesting lobster, premium beef, or imported ingredients. Chefs buy at local markets and supermarkets and bring you the receipts.
For a group of 6 ordering a surf and turf dinner, grocery costs typically run $100 to $150 total.
The All-In Number
Here’s what a private chef dinner realistically costs for common group sizes:
| Group Size | Estimated Total (Service + Groceries) | Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people (couple) | $150 to $250 | $75 to $125 |
| 4 people (small family) | $180 to $320 | $45 to $80 |
| 6 people | $210 to $400 | $35 to $67 |
| 8 to 10 people | $240 to $500 | $25 to $55 |
| 12+ people | $300 to $600+ | $25 to $50 |
Compare that to dining out. A sit-down dinner at one of Jacó’s nicer restaurants typically runs $25 to $50 per person before drinks and tip. For a group of 8, that’s $240 to $480 at a restaurant, plus transportation, waiting for a table, and wrangling kids. The private chef option is competitive on price and far more convenient.
Tipping
Tipping your private chef is customary. 15 to 20% of the service fee is standard. If the chef brought an assistant or server, the tip is usually split between them.
What’s on the Menu: Cuisine Options
Private chefs in the Jacó and Los Sueños area aren’t limited to one style. Most offer a rotating selection of themed menus that you can customize. Here’s what’s commonly available:
Seafood and Surf & Turf
The most popular request. Filet mignon paired with jumbo shrimp or lobster tail, fresh catch of the day, ceviche appetizers, and grilled vegetables. If you went fishing that morning and brought back mahi-mahi or tuna, most chefs will prepare your catch as the centerpiece.
Sushi Night
Surprisingly popular and surprisingly good. Several local chefs specialize in sushi preparation: rolls, sashimi, tuna tartare, and teriyaki. The tuna is often caught locally and tastes nothing like what comes wrapped in plastic at your neighborhood grocery store.
BBQ and Argentinian Asado
A full grill spread: beef tenderloin, skirt steak, whole chicken, chorizo, baby ribs, and chimichurri. This works especially well in Los Sueños villas that have outdoor grill setups, which most of them do.
Mexican Night
Taco bars with beef, chicken, or shrimp. A dozen toppings, quesadillas, nachos, and optional fajitas. This is a crowd-pleaser for groups with kids because everyone builds their own plate.
Italian
Bruschetta and cheese boards to start, then chicken parmesan, pasta carbonara, garlic bread, and Caesar salad. Some chefs offer lasagna and caprese salad as alternatives.
Costa Rican and Latin American
Casados, ceviche, patacones, arroz con pollo, and other traditional dishes made with local ingredients. If you want to eat like a local without hunting down the right soda (casual Costa Rican restaurant), this is the way.
Asian and Thai
Pad Thai, curries (red, yellow, green, panang), stir-fry, and noodle dishes. Available in vegetarian and vegan versions.
Vegan and Vegetarian
Most chefs accommodate dietary restrictions without any issues. Dedicated vegan menus typically feature stuffed portobello mushrooms, falafel, tofu dishes, and fresh tropical salads. Let your chef know when booking so they can plan the grocery run accordingly.
Breakfast and Brunch
Don’t overlook morning service. A private chef making gallo pinto, fresh fruit plates, eggs to order, and Costa Rican coffee while you’re still in your robe is one of the best ways to start a vacation day.
Who Are the Chefs? What to Expect from the Experience
These aren’t random cooks from a gig app. Private chefs in this area are career professionals, many with hotel or fine-dining backgrounds, who’ve built businesses around serving vacation rental guests. A few names that come up frequently:
Your Private Chef Jaco is run by Chef Bruno and his partner Maud. Bruno is French-trained, and the menu leans toward gourmet European-meets-tropical: ceviches, sushi nights, and multi-course seafood dinners. They serve groups from 2 to 20+ in the Jacó and Los Sueños area.
Jaco Private Chefs is a team of executive chefs with over two decades of experience in the Central Pacific. They’re known for handling large groups and special occasions like weddings and anniversaries.
The Costa Rica Chef stands out for transparent pricing listed directly on their website. They serve Jacó, Los Sueños, Herradura, Manuel Antonio, and the surrounding beaches. Their menu spans surf and turf, sushi, Italian, Thai, BBQ, and vegan options. They also offer a bartender add-on for cocktails.
The experience itself feels more like having a talented friend cook for you than a formal catering event. Most chefs show up in casual professional attire, chat with your group, explain the dishes, and keep the atmosphere relaxed. If you’re celebrating a birthday or anniversary, they can coordinate with you on presentation and timing.
Booking Tips: How to Get the Best Experience
Book Early, Especially in Peak Season
December through April is high season in Jacó and Los Sueños. The best chefs get booked out days or weeks in advance. If you know your travel dates, reach out at least a week before arrival. During peak weeks (Christmas, New Year’s, Easter), two weeks ahead is safer.
Use WhatsApp
Almost every chef in Costa Rica communicates primarily through WhatsApp. It’s faster than email and you can share photos, menus, and coordinate details in real time. Save the chef’s number before you land so you can message right away.
Be Upfront About Dietary Needs
Allergies, vegetarian guests, picky kids: mention all of it during the first conversation. Chefs here are flexible, but they need lead time to plan the grocery run. Springing a shellfish allergy on the chef two hours before dinner puts everyone in a bad spot.
Ask About the Kitchen
If you’re staying at a Los Sueños condo, the kitchen is almost certainly well-equipped. But some smaller vacation rentals in Jacó may have limited counter space or missing tools. Let the chef know your exact property so they can bring anything extra they need. Most experienced chefs already know the kitchens in popular rental properties.
Confirm Grocery Billing
Before the meal, confirm how groceries will be handled. Most chefs buy everything and bring receipts for reimbursement. A few include groceries in a flat per-person rate. Either way, you want to know the structure upfront so there are no surprises.
Consider Multi-Day Bookings
If you’re staying for a week, booking the same chef for 2 or 3 meals across your trip is common. Some offer discounts for multi-day service. It also means the chef learns your preferences, and meal two is even better than meal one.
Let Your Concierge Help
If you’re staying with Nest Stays, our concierge team can recommend chefs based on your group size, cuisine preference, and budget. We know which chefs are available and which are best for different types of occasions. It saves you the trial-and-error of cold-contacting multiple services.
Private Chef for Special Occasions
A private chef isn’t just for a Tuesday dinner. Some of the most memorable bookings happen around events:
Birthday dinners with custom menus and special desserts. Most chefs will coordinate a cake or surprise presentation if you ask.
Anniversary celebrations for couples who want an intimate multi-course dinner on a private terrace overlooking the Pacific.
Family reunion meals for groups of 15 to 20+ where restaurant logistics become impractical. Having everyone sit around one table at the villa is infinitely better than splitting across four tables at a restaurant.
Post-fishing feasts where the chef prepares your catch of the day. If you went offshore fishing from the Los Sueños Marina and brought back yellowfin tuna, a good chef will turn it into sashimi, seared steaks, and ceviche for the whole group.
New Year’s Eve and holiday dinners when every restaurant in town requires a reservation made months ago. Your villa becomes the best restaurant in Jacó.
Private Chef vs. Dining Out in Jacó and Los Sueños
Both have their place, but here’s when the private chef wins:
Groups of 6 or more. Coordinating a restaurant reservation for a large group, getting there, waiting for everyone’s food, and splitting the bill is a project. At your villa, dinner is ready when you are.
Families with young kids. No car rides, no waiting, no meltdowns in a restaurant. The kids can run around the pool while dinner is being prepared.
After a long day of activities. You just got back from a full-day fishing trip or a zip-line tour. The last thing you want is to shower, get dressed, drive into town, and wait for a table. A private chef means dinner is handled.
Special dietary needs. In a restaurant, you’re limited to what’s on the menu. With a private chef, every dish is made to your specifications.
When you want to actually relax. The whole point of a vacation rental is to feel at home. Eating in your own space, at your own pace, with your own music playing and the kids already in pajamas, is a different kind of luxury than any restaurant can offer.
That said, Jacó and Los Sueños have excellent restaurants worth visiting. A private chef for two or three dinners and restaurant outings for the others is a solid strategy for a week-long stay.
How Our Concierge Team Can Help
If you’re staying at a Nest Stays property, you don’t need to research and vet chefs on your own. Our concierge team can:
- Recommend a chef based on your group size, preferences, and budget
- Handle the initial outreach and booking on your behalf
- Coordinate timing with your activity schedule (so dinner is ready when you get back from the marina)
- Arrange grocery pre-stocking through local delivery services so the chef has everything ready on arrival day
Just let us know what you’re looking for when you book your stay, or message us anytime during your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a private chef cost in Los Sueños and Jacó?
A private chef dinner for a group of 6 to 10 people typically costs $200 to $500 total, including the service fee ($100 to $350) and groceries ($15 to $25 per person). The per-person cost usually works out to $25 to $70 depending on group size and menu choice. Larger groups get better per-person rates.
How far in advance should I book a private chef?
During high season (December through April), book at least one week in advance. During Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter weeks, two weeks ahead is recommended. In the green season (May through November), a few days’ notice is usually sufficient.
Can a private chef prepare my catch of the day from a fishing trip?
Yes. This is one of the most popular requests. If you went fishing from Los Sueños Marina and brought back tuna, mahi-mahi, or snapper, your chef can prepare it as sashimi, ceviche, grilled steaks, or whatever style you prefer. Let them know in advance so they can plan complementary sides and sauces.
Do private chefs accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies?
Absolutely. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut allergies, shellfish allergies: chefs in the area handle these routinely. The key is mentioning them during the initial booking conversation so the chef can plan the menu and grocery run accordingly.
What meals can a private chef prepare?
Most chefs offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner service individually or as a full-day package. Breakfast service is great for vacation mornings (think gallo pinto, fresh tropical fruit, eggs to order). Dinner is the most commonly booked meal. Some chefs also offer appetizer and cocktail service for pre-dinner gatherings.
Is it better to hire a private chef or eat at restaurants in Jacó?
It depends on your group and occasion. For groups of 6 or more, a private chef is often less expensive per person than a nice restaurant and far more convenient. For couples or small groups who want to explore the local food scene, dining out is part of the experience. Many guests do a mix: private chef for two or three dinners and restaurants for the rest.
Do I need to provide anything for the chef, or do they bring everything?
The chef handles everything: groceries, cooking utensils (if needed), setup, service, and cleanup. Most vacation rentals in Los Sueños and Jacó have well-equipped kitchens, so chefs rarely need to bring extra equipment. For properties with limited kitchen setups, experienced chefs will ask about your kitchen in advance and bring whatever is missing.
Can I book a private chef for a large group or special event?
Yes. Most chef services in the area accommodate groups of 15 to 25 or more. For weddings, corporate events, or large family reunions, catering-style service is available with multiple courses and full table service. Pricing scales with group size and menu complexity, so request a custom quote.
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