Cooking Class in Cancun with Traditional Dishes and Drinks

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

4 hours

Mobile ticket

Discover the unique flavors of Yucatecan cuisine during this immersive small group “eat-as-you-make-it” cooking class in a local Cancun home.

In this fun and hands-on experience, you’ll prepare 9 traditional recipes and drinks that highlight the rich flavors of the region.

Start by (optionally) visiting a bustling Cancun market, where you’ll shop for fresh ingredients and sample traditional Yucatecan favorites, including the iconic cochinita pibil.

Then, get your hands dirty as you prepare an appetizer, main dish, and dessert, guided by a skilled culinary chef.

Finally, sit down to enjoy the delicious creations you’ve prepared, all while learning about local culture, food, and traditions in a family home setting.

Vegan and vegetarian alternatives available upon request (please specify when booking).

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Soda/Pop

Bottled water

Alcoholic Beverages

Dinner

transfer

What To Expect

Get ready for a sizzling Mexican afternoon where the kitchen hums with laughter, music drifts through the air, and the scent of grilled tortillas mingles with fresh lime and cilantro. Guided by Chef Mel, you’ll roll, grill, and season your way through handmade tortillas, vibrant guacamole, a flavorful main dish with vegetables, and two indulgent desserts. Along the way, she’ll weave in stories about local ingredients, cooking customs, and her own family recipes, turning each step into a cultural discovery. This afternoon blends hands-on cooking with all-inclusive indulgence: unlimited margaritas, mojitos, and iced tea (virgin options available), a full multi-course menu prepared from scratch, and recipes you will take home. Every dish is made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and none of them contain pork, so everyone can enjoy freely! Book now to make this flavorful fiesta the highlight of your trip to Cancún. And if your experience isn’t 5-star worthy, we’ll gladly refund you in full. This experience happens in the safety of our chef's home and not in a culinary studio. You'll get a glimpse into how locals live, cook and eat.

Sample Menu

starter

Margarita

Bottomless... All you care to make and drink

starter

Tostadas de pollo

Crispy golden tortillas crowned with succulent shredded chicken, fresh herbs, and a zesty drizzle that bursts with flavor.

starter

Extra zesty Guacamole

Velvety avocado whipped with bright lime, peppery cilantro, and a pinch of sea salt — creamy, tangy, utterly craveable.

starter

Quesadillas

Melted cheese folded in pillowy tortillas, griddled until crisped edges give way to molten bliss.

starter

Salsas

A rainbow of fresh, flavor-packed salsas.

main

Burrito

A warm, hand-rolled bundle brimming with tender fillings, melty cheese, and a symphony of savory spices.

main

Tacos

Crispy, golden tortillas cradling juicy, seasoned bites and topped with a spruced rainbow of fresh garnishes.

dessert

Arroz con Leche

A creamy, sweet rice dessert.

Options

Private class

Duration: 4 hours
Min. of 2 participants require

Shared Group Cooking class

Reviews

5.00

37 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Best cooking class!
O3826ISlizr,
Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Melissa and her husband were amazing! The food was super delicious and I learned so much that I can do again. It was a comfortable environment and great value. Highly recommend!
Fun and so good and organized
kathigeorge,
Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had such a great time. So personal and so good. Mel really also took into consideration our food restrictions and even got creative with it. Husband was also helping and so fun. Highly recommend this class if you are looking for a fun thing to do. So relaxed and YUMMY!
If youre thinking about it, DO IT.
cheyannel228,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Come hungry! 10/10 recommend if you're looking for something a little more local and less touristy. The chefs are super hospitable and amazing. They explained every step very well during our time with them and made us feel super comfortable. We made multiple traditional dishes that were all delicious and easy to make for beginers. Drinks were so yummy too. We stayed in the middle of hotel zone and google maps will bring you right where you need, we took an Uber and were able to locate it easily from where they dropped us off. Both chefs spoke English well.
TOP experience
M3941IMalessandrod,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We are hosted at the home of chef Mel who makes you feel really comfortable and makes you prepare exceptional typical dishes! We cooked and then tried the real Mexican cuisine at the home of Mexicans, what more do you want?? Highly recommended experience
Fantastic experience
Adventure40750246548,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Due to bad weather in Playa del Carmen, we found out about this experience on Tripadvisor... and it was the best choice we could make! Cooking typical Mexican dishes was not only fun, but also an authentic way to immerse yourself in the local culture. It was just the two of us and we immediately felt welcomed: a warm, familiar and really special atmosphere. An experience that we recommend from the heart!
Amazing!
lisasA5366TQ,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Cooking class with Mel was amazing! Great atmosphere, delicious dishes and great tips - we felt very comfortable! Mel and her husband are very warm and so is the whole cooking class! We would do it again anytime!
Cochinita, cocktails, and connection
Road37574644442,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This cooking class was an absolute highlight of our trip. Held in an intimate setting at the host’s apartment, it offered a truly authentic and personal experience. We cooked traditional Yucatán dishes that celebrated the simplicity, beauty, and depth of Mexican cooking. On top of getting to enjoy some incredible food, what made the class extra special was the overall vibe. Sharing stories and laughter with strangers who quickly felt like friends, it captured the warm and communal spirit of México so beautifully. The instructors were friendly and incredibly hospitable. It was a refreshing change from the bustle of the resort, and we left not only with new cooking techniques and appreciation for local ingredients, but also with VERY full bellies. I’d highly recommend this class to anyone who loves great food, a relaxed and welcoming environment, and a genuine taste of regional cuisine.
Awesome class
281hennad,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very fun cooking class. Melissa and her husband are very warm, friendly and took care of us really well. Great vibe! Highly recommend for a good time.
Damn good time!
totall138,
Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
From start to end, we felt as though with long lost friends!!! Food was awesome, but as I always tell our kids, food always tastes better when you put your own effort into the preparation...and then top with care and love for those you are feeding! We had a blast, and next time, we will be trying fish pibil!
Fantastic evening for family with teenagers - the antidote to boring restaurant dining
jenricheytx,
Oct 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Chef Melissa did away with formality and got our family including three teenagers (!!!) involved in the most fun way. This class (which feels more like a communal dinner party) is the antidote to endless restaurant dining on vacay. We picked up new tips and tricks and made traditional Yucatán dishes that delighted. The Chicken Pibil was outstanding! Preparing the ceviche was so fun and I thought, “Why AREN’T we doing this kind of cooking at home?” Fabulous and casual. What a fantastic experience. Thank you for opening your home to our family.