Market Tour and Authentic Cooking Class in Merida with Transfers
Overview
Available languages
7 hours
Mobile ticket
Sofia will pick you up from your Merida hotel and drive you to Chuburná Market for your private market tour. Discover the regional produce on offer and pick up a few ingredients for your authentic in-home cooking lesson.
Join Sofia in her kitchen for a hands-on cooking lesson of Yucatecan and Mayan delicacies. You will learn to prepare traditional recipes from scratch - dishes such as sikil pak (roasted tomato and pumpkin seed salsa), sopa de lima (chicken soup), empanadas de chaya, and pollo o cochinita pibil (perhaps the Yucatan’s most famous dish of slow-cooked chicken or pork which has been marinated in an achiote and sour orange marinade, wrapped in banana leaves) - so be ready to get your hands dirty! You will learn to cook a traditional meal as well as a fiery habanero salsa. After cooking, enjoy the delicious meal you helped prepare with Sofia.
Please note that families in Mexico can be very social so you may be joined by members of Sofia's family who stop by on occasion.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
This is not a professional cooking school or chef-led culinary course. Rather, it is an opportunity to visit a local market, authentic local home, connect with a Mérida resident, and share Yucatecan culture, traditions, and cuisine together.
This experience takes place in Sofia's private home, which also operates as a homestay. Your cooking class is private, though other guests may be present on the property.
Sofia's home does not have air-conditioning. During warmer months, the kitchen can become hot while cooking.
What To Expect
Explore Yucatán’s food culture with Sofia, a local home cook, on this private, immersive market visit and hands-on cooking class. After convenient pick-up in Mérida, visit Chuburná Market, where locals shop for fresh produce, spices, and regional ingredients. As you browse the market together, Sofia will introduce you to ingredients unique to the Yucatán and select a few items for your cooking class. Back in Sofia’s home kitchen, learn to prepare traditional Yucatecan and Mayan dishes that reflect the region’s rich cultural heritage, shaped by Indigenous Maya, Spanish, and European influences. Your menu may include sikil pak con tostadas (a pumpkin seed dip), empanadas de chaya con queso de bola, and pollo or cochinita pibil, a classic achiote-marinated dish slow cooked in banana leaves. After cooking, sit down to enjoy the meal you helped prepare, accompanied by local beer and conversation. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets can be accommodated with advance notice.
Sample Menu
starter
Sikil Pak con Tostadas
Traditional Yucatecan dip made from roasted pumpkin seeds, tomatoes, and spices, served with crispy tortilla chips
starter
Sopa de Lima
Classic Yucatán-style chicken and lime soup with crispy tortilla strips
starter
Empanadas de Chaya con Queso de Bola
Savory pastries filled with chaya, a local leafy green, and Edam cheese
main
Pollo Pibil
Yucatán's signature dish of slow-cooked chicken marinated in achiote and sour orange, wrapped in banana leaves and roasted until tender
dessert
Dulce de papaya con queso de bola
Traditional Yucatecan dessert of stewed papaya served with Edam cheese
Options
Market+Cooking+Lunch+Alc+RTT
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Homecooked meal
Private market tour and cooking class with your host Sofia
Local beer
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Any private market purchases
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
10 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing food and experience
heathergG4828JN,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Words cannot describe how amazing the cooking and market experience was with Sofia. She showed us how she chose every ingredient and why it mattered to the recipe. We spent all day in her lovely home cooking with her and talking. She shared local history and it's impact on the cuisine of the region. We snacked on local fruit and amazing hibiscus tea through the day while we worked and learned. The meal in her charming and welcoming patio was well worth the work it took to put it together. Next time we visit we will absolutely be book another lesson with her. Thank you Sofia!
Best private cooking class in merida
692amyr,Feb 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sofia was very knowledgeable and happy to tailor what we cooked to our dietary restrictions. We made so many different things. It was really fun and interesting. We learned so much between visiting the market and cooking with her. And the food turned out delicious! I would highly recommend this experience.
Better than Airbnb!
79gavinf,Feb 21, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sofia was such an outstanding host, guide and chef! I didn’t realize how at home I would feel and how authentic the experience felt. Everything from going to Sofia’s local market and purchasing in-season fresh produce to cook, to being in her home kitchen prepping a meal fit for royalty. Can’t wait to bring my parents to visit and show them the local cuisine from the artist herself. Thank you Sofia!!
Worth It!!!
Christie A,Dec 9, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00Sofia was very pleasant to be around. She went out of her way to teach us about the products we picked out at the market and made sure we got to sample different candies that were on display there. We got the opportunity to try a fresh coconut as well. During preparation of our meal, Sofia taught us the correct ways to cut the produce, which was something that we can carry home. She went out of her way to make sure the food choices were to our tasting. She welcomed us into her home and fed us an amazing meal prepared by a true chef. Thank you so much Sofia! We had a great time.
A great local experience!
Txikis,Aug 31, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great experience, Sofía is a great host, we learnt a lot about Yucatecan food & culture. Gracias Sofía por tu hospitalidad y buen hacer. Un abrazo!
Top Highlight of Trip
kristinad959,Mar 10, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful day cooking and drinking with Sofia! We did a multi city trip around the Yucatán peninsula and the cooking class/market was one of our top highlights, and served as a great contrast to your traditional “activities.” We are far from compentent cooks, but Sofia guided us the whole way and it was an absolute fun and relaxed time. Highly highly recommend!
Wonderful experience and host
wadebreaux,Feb 16, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sofia was a wonderful host and teacher. She's in warm, thoughtful and knowledgeable. I highly recommend taking this class. You will learn about Mayan cooking, have a great time with Sofia, and eat some wonderful food!
Sofia is amazing!
Sajani K,Jan 16, 2022
- Review from Viator
5.00Sofia is an excellent teacher - I learned so much about Yucatan, Merida, and Yucatecan cooking! Even more importantly, she is incredibly hospitable and kind. If you are visiting Merida, I HIGHLY recommend this experience, because she will make you feel like an honored guest. Need I also add - your lunch will be absolutely delicious.
More than perfect
aureliegonzalo,Oct 5, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I spent an extraordinary day in this cooking class. Sofia was amazing throughout the day. He shares his love of Yucateca cuisine and its region. The Market visit was phenomenal. He would show me each ingredient and explain the origins of each, and how it was cooked. He took me to all the places, fruits and vegetables, species, meat, fish, crafts, etc. It was very interesting the visit and helps a lot to know what you are going to cook. Then we cooked almost 4 hours. Several very typical and delicious starters, and chicken pibil with rice and fried banana. Sofia explains each stage very well, and again, she shares all her passion for cooking. I recommend 300% a class with Sofia in Merida. It's very worth it.
Great experience!!!
HannekeJanssen,May 6, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We (family with 2 children - age 10 and 12) had a superb day with Daniel and Julieta: the visit to the market and the cooking and eating in the lovely house of Julieta. Learned a lot about the Yucatan cuisine and the food was delicious. I would really recommend this tour to anyone who likes to do something different then the 'usual tourist activities'. Especially for families with children/teens I can recommend it. Our girls really enjoyed it: they learned a lot about fruits, herbs and veggies at the market and now they know how to make a perfect guacemole and banana empanadas!! Thanks again Daniel and Julieta!!
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