12 Playa del Carmen Cooking Classes Worth the Money

1.Mexican Cooking from Scratch in a Local Home in Tulum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 585 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $101Our pick

Join host Lily or Lupita at Rivera’s Kitchen Tulum for a roughly three-hour cooking class in a local home. Learn about Mexican ingredients, make tortillas and salsa from scratch, prepare a three-course meal, and taste mezcal before sitting down to eat together.

“This was one of the best things we did on our trip. Not only was the food amazing, it was touching to be so warmly welcomed by our hosts. We learned a lot about the history of the food and its preparation, as well as many memorable flavors we’ll experiment with at home. Highly recommend!”

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2.Playa del Carmen Mexican Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 306 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $113

Join Chef Alma for a three-hour, hands-on Mexican cooking class in Playa del Carmen. Make tortillas and salsas from scratch, learn about local food and history, then eat the meal you prepare. The class is in English and Spanish, limited to eight people, and includes ingredients and bottled water.

“I learnt to make tortillas, salsa and guacamole and I learnt a lot of new information about mexican cusine and Playa Del Carmen city”

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3.Mexican Cooking Class 1 or 3 Courses Tequila and Mezcal Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 151 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $105

At Co.Cos Culinary School in Playa del Carmen, Chef Coty leads hands-on classes in her home kitchen, with a work station for each participant. Pick a one-course class of about three hours or a three-course class of about five. You’ll cook Mexican dishes, learn about fresh and dried chiles, share a meal with drinks, and finish with tequila and mezcal.

“My 20 year old daughter and I had a fabulous time learning how to cook an incredible local dish, "Fish & Shrimp marinated in achiote, wrapped in Banana leaves, served with Xnipec sauce and rice" as well as fresh guacamole and freshly fried tortilla chips. Easy to follow instructions, and such a yummy result! Coty was extremely knowledgable, funny and entertaining. We learned a bunch about Tequila and Mezcal as well!”

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4.Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Playa del Carmen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $120

Meet Chef Isa at DAC market at 11 a.m. to learn about local ingredients and choose one main dish. Then walk to her home kitchen to make it alongside two salsas, two guacamoles, corn tortillas, and a seasonal fruit drink. The three-hour class includes lunch, bottled water, and printed recipes, with a maximum of eight people.

“An excellent experience. A broad selection of local cuisine with the tour participants involved in all aspects of preparation and cooking of the food. And of course then there was the consumption of what we had created, which was icing on the cake! The chef was incredibly knowledgeable and personable.”

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5.Cooking Class in Playa del Carmen: 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $85

Spend about four hours cooking in a Mexican home with a bilingual local host such as Lily. Prepare dishes like guacamole, tacos, and corn-based antojitos, then share the meal with unlimited drinks. The group is capped at six, and you receive digital recipes and a Playa del Carmen food guide.

“We had Chef Lily, she was king and very knowledgeable. She made the experience memorable, and you can tell she loved sharing her culture. We were also able to get many recommendations of where to eat and go in the city.”

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6.Isa’s Authentic Mexican Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 18 reviews · 3 hours · from $120

Meet Chef Isa at Playa del Carmen’s DAC market at 11am for a short tour, including a look at local chiles. Then head to her home kitchen for a three-hour cooking class using traditional tools. Menus can vary: past dishes have included birria tacos, ceviche, green mole chicken, and homemade tortillas. Groups are limited to eight.

“My family and I were visiting Playa del Carmen and wanted a fun group activity. Isa’s cooking class was the perfect choice. We got to visit a local market and then learn how to make a variety of different dishes - including ceviches, green mole chicken, and even homemade tortillas - in Isa’s beautiful outdoor kitchen. She kept it interesting, enjoyable and we learned a lot. Would absolutely recommend!”

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7.Mexican Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 3 - 5 hours · from $113

At Co.Cos Culinary School, Chef Coty guides you through Mexican cooking, a dedicated pepper lesson, and a tequila and mezcal tasting. Depending on the option booked, you may make a full meal or focus on cocktails and appetizers. Ingredients, equipment, and an apron are provided.

“We had a wonderful night at Coty's culinary school. We met new friends and made fabulous cocktails along with simple, fresh and tasty food, all full of all the colours and flavours of Mexico 🇲🇽. Importantly, these are things we can replicate at home too. Coty was a wonderful hostess / teacher who's energy made for an excellent experience! Definately recommended.”

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8.Mexican Cooking class experience in Tulum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $140

At a private cooking class in Tulum, you’ll make fresh salsas, seafood starters, tortillas and antojitos, then choose a main such as mole, tamales or zarandeado fish. Chefs including Barbara, Valeria and Eduardo have led sessions, sharing ingredient stories and kitchen techniques. A margarita class and tequila or mezcal tasting round out this roughly three-and-a-half-hour meal.

“Amazing experience! I made sooo much food. Fresh ingredients, great instruction, delicious margaritas. I would recommend this class to anyone!”

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9.Cenotes by Bike and Mayan Cooking Class Half-Day Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $59Best value

Start at Gilmer’s home near Chemuyil by helping season pork for cochinita pibil. While it cooks wrapped in banana leaves, ride bikes to four less-visited cenotes, with masks and life jackets provided. Return for a home-cooked meal with Gilmer and Gael. The group is capped at eight.

“Gilmer and Gael were fantastic hosts. They made this actually our favourite activity on our trip. It was personal and the communication throughout was amazing.”

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10.PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Meet host Francisco at Town Hall Plaza at 9:00 am for a roughly three-and-a-half-hour Mexican cooking class. You’ll prepare aguas frescas, antojitos, side dishes, and a traditional main course in a restaurant kitchen. Recipes vary, with options such as chiles rellenos, mole, and a seafood, steak, and chicken molcajete.

“This was the best experience we have had in Playa Del Carmen! What a treat to be able to cook in a large restaurant kitchen and make more traditional recipes in this 3.5-4 hour cooking experience. This is not just guacamole, salsa, and enchiladas. We made tamales that changed my mind about tamales and I can't wait to recreated them back home. Fransisco is a wealth of information about Mexican culture and cuisine. We also had 2 helpers, Lily and Francisco (#2), that were wonderful, as they kept us ready for each dish and hydrated with a delicious minted fruit drink.”

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11.Private Mayan Food Cooking Class, Cenote and Coba Ruins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.)

Leave Tulum for Tres Reyes with guide Josué to prepare breakfast and lunch with a local family, from making tortillas to burying food in an oven. Swim at an underground cenote while the meal cooks, then, if arranged with the operator, visit Coba by bicycle. Private transport, meals, and drinks are included; alcohol is not.

“When I asked our travel agent, who has been to Mexico over 35 times, for an authentic and personalized experience…this tour was precisely that…and surpassed our expectation tenfold. Our tour guide, Josué was prompt with every communication prior to and throughout the tour. He is extremely knowledgeable about the local areas and many archaeological sites and history of Mexico and it’s people. He is a kind person along with Lucy and her family who opened up their home and city to host the cooking and tasty feasts that we all prepared. The BEST experience in Mexico, I highly recommend this tour. You will not be disappointed!”

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12.PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $116

Meet Panchito or another host at Playa del Carmen’s Town Hall Plaza, then walk 5 to 10 minutes to a restaurant kitchen. Over 3.5 hours, prepare aguas frescas, antojitos and a traditional main dish, with guidance from the host, a chef and support cooks. Groups are limited to eight.

“I loved learning about the approach to food and living that gave birth to these dishes, rather than a paint-by-numbers, follow-this-recipe lesson. I love having cooking classes, and this one was very special and unique. Francisco, Lilia and Francisco made us very welcome and gave us fantastic guidance, examples and laughter.”

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