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Experience Aelan Slow-Cooking in Santo, Vanuatu
Join a hands-on cooking experience at Eden on the River in Santo, Vanuatu, where friendly hosts introduce you to Aelan “slow” food traditions and the story of their tourism and farming property; you’ll learn to prepare simboros under expert guidance, squeeze fresh coconut milk from freshly cracked coconuts, and taste your creations with a tropical fruit platter, then wander vibrant kitchen gardens to spot manioc, island cabbage and other key ingredients while learning about kava’s cultural significance - whether you prefer to relax by the river, explore the gardens and playground, or simply savor local flavors, this intimate culinary workshop blends cooking, culture and community for families, couples and groups seeking authentic food-and-travel experiences.
About this activity in Santo
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Highlights
- Hands-on cooking class at Eden on the River where you learn to prepare simboros, a traditional local delicacy in Santo, Vanuatu.
- Guided tour of vibrant kitchen gardens to identify ingredients such as manioc, island cabbage and coconuts while learning about kava’s cultural role.
- Make fresh coconut milk from whole coconuts and sit down to enjoy your dishes with a tropical fruit platter by the river.
- A relaxed, family-friendly experience that blends cooking, local stories and time to explore the gardens, playground or riverbank.
Important Information
- Plan for a hands-on workshop suitable for families and groups; infants must sit on an adult’s lap and small children can use a pram or stroller.
- Service animals are permitted and there are public transport options nearby for convenient access to the property.
- Transfers are not included unless you specifically book the transfer option - check your booking add-ons if you need pickup.
- Light refreshments and all local fees and taxes are included in the experience; please arrive on time to make the most of the session.
Meeting Point
Meet at the Eden on the River main welcome area in Santo, Vanuatu. Please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled start; if you arranged transfers, your driver will drop you at the entrance. If arriving by public transport or taxi, ask to be let out at Eden on the River and follow the signs to the welcome area.
Includes
- All fees and taxes are included in your booking for Events and activities in Santo, Vanuatu, so you won’t encounter unexpected charges at checkout.
- Light refreshments are provided as part of the experience, giving you a simple snack or drink during your time here.
Excludes
- Transfers are not included in the base price; if you need transport to or from the venue, book the option with transfers when available.
Other
- Infants and small children may ride in a pram or stroller while you explore venues around Santo - plan accordingly for accessibility and ease.
- Service animals are allowed, so you can bring trained assistance animals with you during activities in the area.
- Public transportation options are available nearby, making it easier for you to reach meeting points and local attractions in the region.
- For safety and compliance, infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap during activities where seating rules apply.
Customer Reviews
10/10
Based on 2 Reviews
Summary:
Such a fun and interactive way to learn about traditions, customs and cooking in Vanuatu by a local. Our guide showed us how to make a dish in her communities method, telling stories and explaining customs along the way. While the food cooked, we had a guided tour of where they grow the ingredients on site. We then got to relax and enjoy the fruits of our labour.
But Eden on the River offers so much more than just a cooking class - we would highly recommend bringing your swimwear and allocating extra time to have a river swim and check out the property!
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Summary:
What an enjoyable experience of a little piece of Vanuatun culture. There were 3 of us and picked right on time and it took about 40 minutes before we arrived at Eden River. Everything was well organised and we loved making our Simboro (a steamed roll of manioc wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in coconut milk. While that was being finished we toured their orchards and vege patch and even picked some starfruit to finish our lunch. It was delicious! We returned to the ship via a detour thru the main town, unfortunately we didn't have enough time to shop! Maybe next time.
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Discover Santo, Vanuatu: Find Your Water, Adventure and Cultural Events
You’ll find Santo, Vanuatu is a top choice for Water-Based adventures, Tours & Sightseeing and Outdoor & Nature experiences that let you snorkel, take boat tours and explore coastal scenery with ease. You can combine Adventure & Thrill and Multi-Day / Full-Day options with Art & Culture, Workshops & Learning and Family & Kids activities to create Group-Friendly or Romantic & Couples Events tailored to the area. Book through Varoom to quickly discover and reserve Nature & Wildlife, Wellness & Relaxation and Services that align with your event plans in the region.
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Know more about Santo
You’ll join a hands-on cooking workshop that celebrates Aelan slow food traditions. Friendly staff welcome you, share stories about the property, and guide you through preparing simboros. After cooking, you’ll explore kitchen gardens to learn about manioc, island cabbage and coconuts, make fresh coconut milk, and enjoy your dishes with a tropical fruit platter by the river.
The workshop emphasizes Aelan slow food and on-site tourism farming. You’ll tour vibrant kitchen gardens, discover staple ingredients such as manioc and island cabbage, learn about the cultural importance of kava, and practice traditional techniques like extracting coconut milk from fresh coconuts.
The booking includes your culinary session and light refreshments. You’ll take part in making and tasting your cooking creations-including simboros and fresh coconut milk-and enjoy a tropical fruit platter as part of the experience.
Yes. The experience blends cooking, culture and community, offering kid-friendly elements like a playground and garden exploration. You can relax by the river or let children roam the gardens while learning about local ingredients, making it suitable for family and kids bookings.
Absolutely. The activity is designed to balance hands-on cooking with outdoor nature time-after preparing simboros, you can relax by the river, stroll through the property’s gardens, or enjoy the scenic setting for a calm, nature-focused experience.
Yes. The activity is Group-Friendly and ideal for workshops, cultural Events and culinary team experiences. Your group can learn local recipes together, explore the property’s farming features, and share the food-and-culture focus that defines this unique Santo, Vanuatu offering.
