The 15 Best Workshops in Playa del Carmen

1.Playa del Carmen Mexican Cooking Class

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

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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2.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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3.Private Kiteboarding Lesson in Tulum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 90 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $270

At Ahau Tulum, Mexican Caribbean Kitesurf’s private lesson takes you from wind theory and kite setup to water practice, with instruction from IKO-certified teachers including Mauricio and Roma. You’ll have kite gear, showers, Wi-Fi and paddleboards available. The roughly three-hour session depends on suitable wind and weather.

“Mauricio and Roma are fun, friendly, personable, reasonable, and most importantly, excellent teachers. M was very adaptable to me wanting to work on kiting tricks, strapless, and winging, and was great w my partner who was a complete novice. He was professional when wind was not working and we needed to adjust schedule, and generally made it a great experience. 5 stars.”

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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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5.3-Hour Drinks and Appetizers Class in Playa del Carmen

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 27 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $49Best value

Spend three hours in a local home in Playa del Carmen, making four Mexican cocktails and four appetizers with a bilingual host such as Lily or Virgie. Expect drinks, hands-on food prep, recipes, and stories about Mexican food and traditions. The group is capped at eight, virgin drinks are available, and transfers are not included.

“I will admit, I thought I was booking a cooking class, it wasn't, but we weren't disappointed. We had a wonderful time learning about Mexican Culture while playing Bingo and enjoying drinks and apps created with our very gracious, and bubbly host Lily. It felt like going to visit a local friend. Everything was delicious! Definitely, a unique and fun experience.”

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6.Surfing Lessons – Learn To Surf In Playa del Carmen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75

Meet at Aloha Paddleboard & Surf Club beside Fusion Beach for a two-hour, small-group surf lesson in English. Start with safety and technique on land, then practice paddling, popping up and riding whitewater in manageable surf. Your board, leash, rash guard and face sunscreen are included, along with storage, bathrooms and showers.

“We learned to how to a stand on the surf board. Staying on the board was an amazing feeling. Manual was very skillful and professional.”

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7.DRINKING SCHOOL: Mexican Cocktail & Appetizer Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $105

At Co.Cos Culinary School in Playa del Carmen, chef Coty guides you through making three cocktails and three Mexican-inspired appetizers in a roughly three-hour evening class. You’ll work with ingredients such as fish, mango, serrano, shrimp, pineapple, tamarind and jalapeño. Recipes, ingredients and instruction are included, and the group is capped at 12.

“Chef Coty is a sweet and wonderful human being with amazing talent. She guided us through preparing. three incredible cocktails and three amazing appetizers. We will definitely return to take a more advanced cooking class. We didn’t want the fun to end..”

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8.Best in Class: Private Snorkeling Xpedition

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Set out at 8 a.m. from your Playa del Carmen-area stay with a private English-speaking guide. Snorkel the cave waters of Cenote Taak Bi Ha, swim or jump into open Cenote Nicte-ha, then explore Yal-ku Lagoon’s reef. Dani, Danny, Ivan and Roberto have guided this outing, which lasts about five and a half hours.

“We had an incredible experience with Primitive Xpeditions, and the highlight was our tour guide, Danny. He was absolutely outstanding....always on time, extremely knowledgeable, and so friendly that he made the entire adventure enjoyable from start to finish. Danny went out of his way to make sure we were comfortable, engaged, and having fun. His deep knowledge of the area and history really brought the excursions to life, and his passion for what he does is contagious. I can’t recommend Danny enough – if you’re booking with Primitive Xpeditions, make sure you request him. He truly made the trip unforgettable!”

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9.Basic Surf Lessons in Tulum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $51

Meet your instructor at Ahau Tulum for a private surf lesson for one or two people. You’ll cover safety and technique on the beach, then work on paddling, wave awareness, and turning in the water. A board, leash, life jacket, and rashguard are listed as included, with an extra hour of board practice at no charge.

“Mauricio and his team were awesome! Helpful and supportive and fun! Highly recommend this spot if you're looking for surf lessons in Tulum!”

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10.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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11.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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12.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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13.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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14.Salsa lessons playa del carmen or Bachata Dance

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $64

Meet Salsa Lessons Steve in Playa del Carmen for a private one-hour dance class. Start with a Caribbean-style warm-up, choose salsa, bachata, or a mix, then work from basic steps toward more advanced moves. The lesson is offered in English, and may be held at your accommodation if you confirm the location with the team.

“Friendly professional teaching for salsa dance for us complete beginners. Gave us good confidence to practice on our own”

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

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

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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