Private Tour
Cozumel: Hands-On Chocolate, Tortilla, Salsa & Honey Experience
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
What makes this tour unique?
This is a private, customizable experience that goes beyond sightseeing and focuses on hands-on cultural immersion. Guests don’t just watch — they grind cacao on Mayan stone tools, prepare traditional salsas, make handmade tortillas, and taste honey from two different bee species, including the sacred Melipona bee.
Set in a jungle venue, the experience connects food, nature, and ancient Maya traditions in a relaxed and interactive way. Because the tour is private, the route and pace can be adjusted, and guests may also enjoy scenic drives around the island depending on their interests and time.
It’s not a cooking class or a show , it’s an authentic, small-scale experience where guests actively participate and connect with Cozumel’s living culture.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
This is a private, fully customizable 4-hour experience, designed to move at your own pace. Guests stop at Tierra Maya, a jungle venue where hands-on activities bring ancient traditions to life. Highlights include a Mayan cacao chocolate workshop, preparing a traditional Mayan salsa using stone tools, and making handmade tortillas with fresh dough. Guests also enjoy a guided honey tasting featuring honey from two different bee species, including the sacred Melipona bee. The experience is completed with tastings of seasonal local liqueurs, made from regional fruits and ingredients, which vary depending on the time of year. Because the tour is private, guests may also enjoy a scenic drive around the island, exploring local areas and coastal views as time allows.
What‘s Included
Hands-on salsa-making experience (Zik’il P’aak and traditional salsas)
Private transportation
Seasonal tasting of local artisanal liqueurs
Honey tasting (including Melipona bee honey)
Hands-on chocolate workshop using Mayan stone tools
Air-conditioned vehicle
Handmade tortilla experience using a traditional tortilla press
Friendly Guide
Admission to Tierra Maya venue
Food
Gratuities
Additional food, drinks, or souvenirs not mentioned in the inclusions
Options
Jeep (up to 4 passengers)
Duration: 4 hours: This is a private, customizable 4-hour experience that includes time at the Tierra Maya venue for hands-on cultural activitie Jeep Renegade: An air-conditioned Jeep Renegade designed for small groups, with the experience adjusted to the group’s interests and budget.
Van (up to 12 passengers)
Duration: 4 hours: A private, customizable 4-hour experience including time at the Tierra Maya venue for hands-on cultural activities. Van: An air-conditioned van for private groups of up to 12 passengers, with the experience adjusted to the group’s interests
Reviews
12 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Salsa and tortilla hands on experience
Jennifer B,May 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience! Highly recommend if you want something different or you are tired of the beach. Knowledgeable and friendly staff! Tasted local honey and used Mayan tools to make salsa, etc.
One of our favorite experiences in Cozumel
Elera N,Apr 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wonderful experience! We learned so much and created incredible memories. Highly recommend this tour. The food and drinks were delicious.
Excellent Experience
wiltap,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Bottom line: this tour is worth every minute you spend and you should not hesitate to book it! Excellent experience with a knowledgeable guide, Johny. Johny has lived on Cozumel for 10 years and has all sorts of interesting fun facts to share. The van was safe and comfortable, and we had no issues getting in and out. (Watch your head!) When we got to Tierra Maya we were greeted by the friendly staff and started making our “chocolate bar” which started with roasted Cacao beans and we learned how to “peel” them and then grind them down on a stone plate with a stone “rolling pin.” I don’t remember the name of those tools. Then we mixed in some honey for a yummy treat. After that we were on to “meet the bees” and some liqueur and Tequila tasting. It was so interesting to see the tiny little stingless bees right there in their tree. The tastings were great and many different kinds were tasted. Then we made a salsa out of roasted tomatoes and ground pumpkin seeds. To eat the salsa there were, of course, tortilla chips. But the we got to press out a tortilla and they cooked it on a grill. The salsa on the fresh tortilla was amazing. After the Honey and Chocolate we were treated to a stop down by the water not far from the town and Johny gave us more fun information about life on Cozumel.
Real good experience and glad we did this tour. People presenting did an awesome job.
Freedom09648152451,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Real good experience lots of facts and traditions passed onto us.
Definitely book this
Amanda H,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an amazing time. We would definitely book this tour again. Learning how to make chocolate and salsa was so much fun.
Fun Day with the bres
bewilderedOttawa,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a lovely and informative visit on this outing. Our guide at the bee farm was passionate about the natural world, the Mayan culture and the future of the bee farm. Who know there were stingless bees?? Everyone was so hospitable especially the guide, Diego, who brought us there
Charlie was an excellent...
Gretchen K,Feb 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Charlie was an excellent tour guide - the best! We appreciated his flexibility and his vast knowledge of the area and its history. Tierra Maya was an great experience. Each of the four stations taught us something new. Learning about and seeing the Meliponini bees and sampling the honey were a highlight. He taught us enough to know that we need to come back to Cozumel for another visit! We packed a lot into our half day tour and it was wonderful - Cenote (with crocodile), chocolate, east coast beaches and more.
Hidden Gem of Cozumel - a must visit!
MeaghanEMugnier,Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I cannot rate this excursion highly enough, it was that good! The guide we had from our cruise (DCL) coupled with the guide at the farm (Noemi), were the highlights of our trip. Our kids had a blast, including a 14 year old (can you imagine!) - he loved it, especially all the food! We were truly honored to have had this experience and welcomed so warmly, by Noemi and Ms Martha. She prepared for us fresh tamales, as well as hot chocolate. We made our own dip (delicious!) and our own candles from the beeswax. And of course, lots and lots of honey to try! Do not skip this, it is a hidden gem!!
Amazing A++++
V2759UUjasonm,Aug 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Felipe was an amazing and knowledgeable guide showed us the island it was a special time, highly recommended . He went out of his way to help lift my daughters wheelchair in and out of the van multiple times just to make sure we had a good experience.
Don't MISS the magical Bee Sancutary!
Relax03961569273,Mar 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing! Such a wonderful experience. Our guide was fantastic and it really felt like we were contributing to the local economy. Mrs. Martha started her sanctuary before she began doing tours, unlike other locations that simply started as a way to attract tourists. Trust us, come for the honey but stay for the handmade tamales and incredibly warmth and generosity fo the staff.
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Operated by Visit Cozumel Shuttles & Tours.