If it were possible more than 5 stars. Tania is an awesome host. It was just my husband and I and it was a superb experience. We have come to the island 2l0+ years and we are already planning our next tour with Tania!
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Cooking session at the home of the local family
- All the cooking equipment needed during the preparing process
- All ingredients to cook your meal (variety of dishes)
- Lunch
- Snacks
- Digital recipe book
- Drinks (water, fresh water, traditional Mexican drinks, margaritas and beer available)
Excludes
- Tips
- Transportation to and from cruise ship or hotel
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- The meeting point is in the Mercado Municipal Benito Juarez, where the big grouping of seats and tables are, right in the middle of the locations that sell cooked food. You will see the "Eating area" as your coming down the street of Aldolfo Rosado Salas between streets 20 Av. Sur and 25 Av. Sur.
Return
- The meeting point is in the Mercado Municipal Benito Juarez, where the big grouping of seats and tables are, right in the middle of the locations that sell cooked food. You will see the "Eating area" as your coming down the street of Aldolfo Rosado Salas between streets 20 Av. Sur and 25 Av. Sur.
Itinerary
Start your tour by meeting with your guide in the local market of the Island. Follow them through the market´s aisles and stalls of different local products while listening to the origins of some of the most used fruits and vegetables in our region. At the same time the guide will be grabbing the fresh ingredients needed to later prepare the different salsas, snacks, and main dish. Walk through the stalls and learn more about the daily life of people on the island. Select the best seasonal ingredients to prepare during your cooking experience. Guided by your host, you will prepare a typical meal while learning from our traditions and useful phrases in Spanish. Learn about the distinctive culture of the region and enjoy the sublime smells that will fill the kitchen. Try the dishes you have prepared at a family table while talking and sharing with your group, guide and host, as well as enjoying refreshing and typical drinks from our State. Once the tour is finished, your guide will organize a taxi to return you to your Port or Hotel.
Food Menus
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Tania was an incredible host and teacher. We loved starting the day exploring and shopping in the local market, and the hands-on cooking back in the kitchen was fantastic. Making the variety of fresh salsas, chorizo refried bean dip, and the fish achiote was such a treat—everything turned out absolutely delicious. It’s like having a private chef shop with you and cook with you. Highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Cozumel!
My mom and friend attended they had a great time. They ate they cooked and loved the market tour. Staff is great
My friend and I were met at the municipal market and walked around as local produce and fish were chosen for our meal. Then we headed back to her home and participated in making some wonderful authentic dishes. Delicious. We were given the recipes to try at home. A big surprise was drinking fresh fruit margaritas out of a bowl! I love taking cooking classes in the countries I visit. It's a way to connect with locals and get away from the tourist sites.
Absolutely loved this! Tania was so nice and walked us through everything. I loved that we were able to go to the market with her to pick out the ingredients and we were offered a free Tequila tasting tour beforehand which was fun! SO MUCH FOOD and ALL DELICIOUS! Thank you so much for the information and experience 😊
If you are considering this tour, do not hesitate to book it before it is unavailable. Everything about this day was absolute perfect, and our group of six would do it again in a heartbeat. From the second we met Tania and Sergio, they made us feel right at home. It truly felt less like a structured tour with typical tour guides and more like spending an afternoon hanging out with old friends. Our time together started with an educational walk through the local market, where Tania introduced us to all the fresh local fruits, vegetables, and traditional spices. Along the way, Sergio shared so facts and his experiences about life on the island. Tania even took the time to ask what our group liked and tailored the menu items so everything was customized to our tastes and not too spicy. The food and margaritas were delicious, and there was more than enough to keep all six of full for the day. . To make the day even more magical, during our small talk, we happened to mention that someone in our group was celebrating a birthday. Without missing a beat, Tania and Sergio went out of their way to buy a cake and completely surprised us! We did not just leave with amazing memories, but also with wonderful digital recipes and photos they captured for us throughout the experience. That level of thoughtfulness and Mexican hospitality is something we will never forget. Thank you, Tania and Sergio, for making our trip so special!
If you are reading this review you most likely haven't booked yet - BOOK IT! This was the absolute best experience (on land). We were two couples and we had Tonia all to ourselves. We met her at the market, shopped for fresh ingredients, stopped for a short tequila tasting on the way to the house, and cooked, ate, and drank the afternoon away enjoying her company. We never felt rushed. It's honestly amazing how much we cooked in such a short amount of time and how full we were when we left. She is very attentive to what your group wants and tries to make it a very personal experience. I would book this experience again and again. Tonia is such a sweet lady. It was the perfect amount of teaching, participating, and enjoying her and each other. Tonia seems to really enjoy her job and it shows. The quality experience based on the cost is a 10 out of 10. Thank you Tonia for the absolute best day! Muchas gracias, dulce dama!!! Note: The meeting place will be in your booking email. Once you find the market, it's the area with a few open tables (orange & yellow). There were food service people wanting us to eat at their stand. Just hang out there until lovely Tonia arrives. I thought a better explanation of the meeting place might be helpful to some. And yes, you will get the recipes sent to you so you can create your own traditional meal at home :)
Cooking with Tania was probably the best part of our 8 day Royal cruise. The food was incredible! Her hospitality and knowledge made us feel at ease in the home. We would do this over and over again! We highly recommend this excursion!
Trust me - don't eat breakfast before this. The other reviews say it all, regarding the experience. No notes. I'm just here to tell you don't hesitate, book it, and come hungry.
The food was beyond exceptional! We learned a lot and the experience truly felt like a family dinner.
We had such a fun time shopping and cooking with Tanya and Sergio! This was the perfect cultural experience, with the best food we’ve had in Cozumel. It truly felt like a family dinner and the hosts took time to respond to participant requests and take photos for us so we could focus on the experience.
I had a great time on the culinary cooking tour with Tania in Cozumel! She was wonderful from start to finish. We met her at the local market after docking at the port that morning, and she guided us through selecting fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish for our meal. After the market visit, we went to the house and prepared lunch together. Since it was just me and my companion, it almost felt like a private tour, which made the experience even more special and personal. The food was authentic, fresh, and absolutely delicious. Tania was warm, knowledgeable, and made the entire experience feel relaxed and enjoyable. She also arranged transportation with a reputable taxi driver to make sure we got back to the ship on time, which gave us peace of mind. This was one of the highlights of our cruise, and I would highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Cozumel and looking for something authentic, fun, and memorable!
Better than any meal I’ve had in years. We met our lovely hostess at a local market in downtown. That was the only tricky part as we weren’t sure we were in the correct place and she hadn’t answered our message we sent. But right on time she walked up and we were able to shop and learn about local foods and fruit we had never heard of. Because it was only the two of us, everything was customized to our liking (I know we got lucky). After that, we got in her car and headed to a tequila distillery for a quick tour and tasting (optional) and then back to her boss’ house where we sort of kind of helped (not really ) her prepare the most delicious meal ever. Every item was insanely delicious and I wish I could have eaten more. Seriously, it looked like she wasn’t buying enough- we were stuffed. Every item was so good and I’m beyond glad that we chose this instead of yet another beach. This was far more memorable. She sent us all the recipes and while I haven’t made any yet, because I know I won’t do them justice, I did find this one crema in my local market so I might give the guacamole a shot this weekend. Regardless, I highly recommend this for anyone looking for something unique to try while in Cozumel.
This was excellent. Tania did a great job explaining items purchased at the local market and explaining how to prepare the meals. We learned a lot from her and she was open to answering all our questions
Our cruise excursion was cancelled so we had to find an alternative. And in hindsight, this was the best thing that happened to us on the cruise! Great education experience at the public market, where Tania told us all about the different fruits and spices that are local to Cozumel. We got to tag along as she purchased all the ingredients we needed to make our incredible lunch. We rode with her in her vehicle to a private residence. The first course was fruit--with the exception of the mini bananas, all fruit was new to us and absolutely delicious. We made (hot) green sauce, a pumpkin seed dip, creamy guacamole, refried beans with chorizo, and roasted squash that we enjoyed with chips and tortillas for an appetizer. We chose to learn how to make Grouper Veracruz, which was so good. Tania showed us how to make fried plantains with crema and cheese. You haven't really had fried plantains until you have had them prepared this way. And to top it off, she made delicious citrus margaritas served in pottery bowls Jalisco style (we got to choose one shot or two!). She also made a frozen fresh mango margarita. At the end, we were stuffed and ready for a siesta. Tania is a lovely instructor both inside and out and she sent us home with a digital cookbook of all the recipes. Highly recommend.
An immersion into a local shopping and dining experience. Miss Tania is educating you from market to eating!! Don't miss out on great food, tips and a welcoming atmosphere with Miss Tania. Would do this again :).
We enjoyed our experience with Tania. We booked with Kevin who was easily accessible. There were 10 in our class which was too many people. I had to ask to actually cut the tomatoes and mash the refried beans. Tania did a lot of the cooking though. Food was delicious and there was plenty of it. Great margaritas!
We really enjoyed our Mexican cooking with Tanya. We had to be rolled out after eating so much delicious Mexican food. Highlights included the delicious margaritas and the delicious fruit tasting plate. The meeting point at the market was easy to get to from the cruise port. Tanya kindly shared all the recipes with us via WhatsApp and arranged for transportation back to the port. It was a great morning!
It was lots of fun and very informative. We learned about some of the local fruits and vegetables and got to try them out. The market experience was fun and very authentic. Cooking was fun and tasty. Our guide was great and very nice and helpful.
We had a great day with Tania and Ilene. It was interesting learning about the different fruits and vegetables at the market. Super fun cooking and the food was so delicious. We left the house totally full! I highly recommend this experience!!
it was so amazing. The cook and her helper ought us things about Mexican food. I never knew. I completely recommend this to everyone.
This was a fantastic tour! My husband and I loved it. Now I know how to shop at the Mercado and what to buy. I know how to make really good guacamole, pico de gallo, beans, fish tacos, 2 salsas, and two awesome magaritas!! Tania was the best teacher and guide! She let us do a lot ourselves and gave us all the recipes when we were done. You better come hungry because there is lots to eat and drink. So fun and so good!! So glad I did this. I plan on going to the Mercado and doing this on my own tomorrow. Tania even told me to message her if I had any trouble or questions. She also bought local fruits I have never seen before so we could all try them. They were amazing!! There was only 4 in our group. They keep it small so you have a better experience.
Tanya was amazing. The food was fantastic and I can’t wait to make the recipes at home.
Don't use the map. Use the address of the market. You will experience good food, nice host, and friendly fun.
What an amazing way to experience the real Cozumel! Away from the tourist traps, we met Tania at the market to grab items for our meal and discover so many new to us ingredients. We then were able to eat our weight in chips and pico, guacamole, margaritas - two kinds! and chicken tacos with beans and green sauce. Absolutely incredible! There’s a reason why there’s only five star reviews for this experience!
Fabulous experience and so much fun. Learnt a lot of new cooking skills too. Tania was so friendly and knowledgeable and the food so great. Lots of food, drink and new flavours. Would definitely recommend this
Fantastic meal. Great food great time. Do not eat anything beforehand. Plan on taking a taxi to meeting spot.
We enjoyed the whole experience of walking through the market and learning about and cooking with some foods that we hadn’t tasted before. Tania was a gracious host and I would recommend this tour for anyone interested in authentic Mexican cuisine.
The experience was wonderful but this review is confusing to maneuver!
Absolutely fabulous experience. The food was amazing and the hospitality was out of this world. Tania was so informative and created amazing dishes for everyone to share.
Tania was wonderful, caring and professional. We started at the market purchasing veggies, fruits and chicken. We stopped for a fresh tortilla, then to a home to make dips. We helped chopped veggies for the dips and enjoyed fresh pico, chorizo, squash, and guacamole. Then finished with chicken tacos and mango slushies. Yummy. Thank Tania for your hospitality, kindness and sharing the recipes.
This was our second time taking this excursion while on a cruise that stopped in Cozumel for the day. Again, Tania was amazing! We learned so much from her and enjoyed everything we made. Since it was our second time, she changed up the menu a little and we enjoyed the most amazing chicken dish with peppers. I can't recommend this cooking class enough!!! And the little gift at the end was such a nice surprise! Thank you again, Tania, for such a great time!!
This was a great way to spend some time Cozumel! We met up at the market where Tania walked us through the market to pick our very fresh ingredients. We then taxied back to their home and learned how to make several dishes. The margaritas and sharing all the delicious dishes made for a wonderful afternoon. Thank you
Easy short cab ride from port to market. Market tour was informative and not rushed. Our time at the private residence was relaxed and the food delicious. The small size of the group made for an easy going and laughter filled day. Tania is a consummate hostess and even surprised me with a birthday cake! All in all, an excellent choice and I cannot recommend this tour enough.
Amazing experience! Tania was a wonderful host and instructor. The food was delicious! And there was so much of it! We missed breakfast beforehand and we were SO glad we did, it was a true feast.
It was a wonderful experience. The market was so fascinating that we went back the following day. We learned about Mexican ingredients and style of cooking. It was sad to say good bye to our new friends.
This was a great experience, we shopped at the market with Tania where she explained all about the different produce and then went to cook a delicious meal with her. The ingredients were so fresh and the combination of flavours was wonderful. We were vey full by the time we finished. Definitely gave us ideas on how to upgrade our next Mexican night at home!
We spent a wonderful day in Cancun. My husband and I took this excursion with 2 other couples. All 6 of us enjoyed our trip to the market to shop for the fruits, vegetables and fish we decided upon for our meal. We chopped and diced the vegetables and fruits and tasted some that were new to all of us. We learned to make several dips and the best guacamole we ever tasted. The fish was outstanding and the margaritas and mango margaritas were incredible. This was one of the best food related tours we had ever taken and I can highly recommend it. The food was plentiful and delicious and you will not be dissapointed.
Great experience to enjoy local culture and bring home some new tasty recipes. From start (shopping for the fresh ingredients to preparing the meal and the cocktails too), a delightful day!
Hands on cooking class, we started by shopping for the ingredients together, then cooked and laughed together!
Best excursion in the 10 years of taking excursions. We took a taxi to and from, which worked out fine. The group was small, only 6. Perfect. The food was the best of the entire cruise (and there is a lot of delicious food on the ship). I would rate it an 11 out of 10. I found other cooking excursions but we picked the right one with this one. We made 8 different food items. Come hungry because there is more food that you can possibly eat but it is soooo good that you can’t stop yourself. I don’t drink alcohol so she made my drink without alcohol. It still tasted so good. We drank it from a bowl, super fun. I highly recommend this to everyone and anyone. Best. Excursion. Ever!
This tour of the local markets and the cooking class was way beyond what I expected. Tania was an amazing chef and taught us to make an deliciously authentic meal, from Appetizers to dessert. I can't say enough about this tour! If you get the chance to get into the tour, do so!!
We thoroughly enjoyed our walk through the local Market with Tania who purchased meat, fruits, vegetables and spices. We travelled to her kitchen where we put on aprons and proceeded to assist with the preparation of numerous courses. We prepared many delicious foods and 2 flavors of Margaritas. The meal was excellent and we left so full we skipped dinner. Tania was professional, knowledgeable and most personable. She is an accomplished Chef and charming lady. We would look forward to joining her again and would highly recommend this outstanding excursion.
Tania did a great job introducing us to Mexican cooking that we can try at home. We were 4 couples, who met at the lesson. We all enjoyed a nice mix of cooking , tasting and conversation. Highly recommended for who enjoy Mexican food. Even those who are familiar will learn a few things.
It was a very comfortable and family like experience being that the excursion was in a private home. The food was absolutely delicious and the margaritas were a close second. Highly recommended.
Tania was delightful and showed us how to shop for ingredients that made our meal. Everything was delicious! Afterwards we went back to the market to buy the bowls so we can drink our margaritas this way at home!
It was a very comfortable and pleasant experience. Tania met us on time exactly as advised. She explained all ingredients in the market. The recipes were tasty and simple to understand. The kitchen was clean. She made accommodations for one of the guests who didn’t like cilantro. The excursion was exactly as advertised.
Excellent! Great experience starting with touring the market for fresh food for the meal, going back to Tania's kitchen for instruction in prepping and cooking the food, and enjoying the meal. Don't eat a big breakfast, there are a lot of dishes to work through, all of them delicious. Tania will customize to meet your preferences. I would do this again in a heartbeat!
Tanya was a wonderful hostess and chef. Learned so much. The real treat (besides eating everything we made) was shopping for ingredients!
We enjoyed the overall experience with Tania that started at the local Municipal Market where we did the shopping for the ingredients. We then went to a tequila tasting at Los Tres Tonos which was educational and fun. Then we went to a private home for the cooking experience. We made a number of different local recipes for Cazuelita Margarita, Piblill Red Snapper, several sauces and dips, including refried beans and guacamole. Everything was great except for some poor communication by the provider before the experience by not responding to our inquiries. Please note that you need to take a taxi to get back to the meeting location.
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