Playa del Carmen Mexican Cooking Class
Recommended by 100% of travelers
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Playa del Carmen, Mexico
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Sample Menu
Starter
Home made Tortillas
Learn to cook Salsas, and the best of the traditional Mexican recipes
What's Included
- Bottled water
- All ingredients
- Cooking class by Master Chef
- LunchYou will eat what you cook on the class
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Electrica y Plomeria Silva50 Avenida Nte., Ejidal, 77712 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Please ask the driver to drop you off at the corner of "SILVA" store; Chef Alma will be waiting for you right there.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.10:00 am
What To Expect
1
Playa del Carmen
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Stroller accessible
- Language: English & Spanish
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Please Let us know about Food Allergies, Food restrictions or Mobility issues
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Lee_H
This class was a blast! Alma does such a terrific job making everyone feel welcome. It was a fun atmosphere from the start, and I learned so much about Playa del Carmen and about the food we made. I honestly am excited to remake everything when I get home! It was a sincere pleasure meeting everyone in our group and such a fun, informative experience. Will be the highlight of this trip for sure. Could not recommend enough.
Reviews
5.0
based on 320 reviews
Neetul_S, Apr 2026
we booked an 8 person class with Cookin Playa and this was a real highlight. There were us four (2 adults and kids aged 11 & 8 years old) and 2 couples. Alma the main Chef and her helper Gloria. Alma explained about the history of Cancun then we started with making a variety of dips such as guacamole and tomato +/- chilli based ones. Then into making tacos - the dough, rolling out and cooking them in hot plates watching them puff up. We made these into flautas (taco with a small amount of mashed potato, rolled up and fried). Alongside Alma made a pasta soup and we finally sat down for a delicious lunch!!! Highly recommend activity.
Amy_J, Apr 2026
I booked this experience for my parents and they had a great time.
Chef Alma was welcoming and they enjoyed being able to sample the items they prepared.
My mother is a picky eater but ended up trying most of the items and was very pleased with everything.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for choosing us to be a part of your parents vacation memories. We look forward to seeing them again soon. ¡Hasta la próxima!
Ann_P, Mar 2026
We all do the usual snorkeling or visiting the natural beauty that makes Mexico a favorite vacation spot, but we kind of stepped out of the box this visit and scheduled this cooking school. From the moment we arrived to the moment we bid farewell to our hostess Alma, this was an absolute blast. Her engaging personality and love for cooking made for a wonderful visit to her home. The explanation of the recipes, execution of a variety of techniques, to our hands-on involvement allowed all to contribute no matter what your culinary level was. I initially had a bit of a challenge to convince my group to do this, but being the avid home cook I am and being as adventurous my friends were, this was an amazing 3 hours with the beautiful conclusion of sitting with all participants and eating our creations. What a blast. Highly recommend this if you just need a day out of the sun and want to experience local culture.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for stepping 'out of the box' to join us! We know it can be hard to pull a group away from the beautiful beaches and snorkeling, but we are so glad you did. Chef Alma truly loves hosting guests of all culinary levels, and it’s wonderful to hear that even the skeptics in your group ended up having a blast! There really is no better way to experience the heart of Playa del Carmen than by sharing a meal you made together in a local home. We hope to see you and your adventurous friends back in our kitchen soon!
Brendalynn_E, Mar 2026
Best cooking class we have attended in years! We now know how yo make Mexican food correctly. What a great experience. Chef Alma was super knowledgeable and relatable. Excellent experience.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for making us a part of your visit to Playa del Carmen!
Hope to see you again soon!
Gracias!
Lee_H, Mar 2026
This class was a blast! Alma does such a terrific job making everyone feel welcome. It was a fun atmosphere from the start, and I learned so much about Playa del Carmen and about the food we made. I honestly am excited to remake everything when I get home! It was a sincere pleasure meeting everyone in our group and such a fun, informative experience. Will be the highlight of this trip for sure. Could not recommend enough.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that our class was the highlight of your trip to Playa del Carmen. It was a pleasure having you in the kitchen, and we hope those flavors bring back great memories of Mexico every time you cook them!
Natalie_R, Mar 2026
Extraordinary experience! Alma was funny and very knowledgeable about the history of her land and the cuisine we made. Right as we entered her colourful and inviting home, she made us feel at ease. Every guest pitched in to prepare the lunch in a friendly atmosphere. Delicioso!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for choosing us to be a part of your vacation memories. We look forward to seeing you again in Playa. ¡Hasta la próxima!
Jim_W, Feb 2026
Very enjoyable experience! Found the introduction very interesting and it generated some good questions from our group. Total of six people in our group which is about the max considering the size of the kitchen. The place was clean and well taking care of. We were able to do food prep and cooking but not all. The meal we made was very good. Recommend to anyone who enjoys cooking and who like to learn new cultures. Go for it!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the visit and for sharing your experience! We are so glad you enjoyed the day with us. Wishing you the best and hoping to cook together again soon. ¡Gracias!
Kevin_H, Feb 2026
Alma was an amazing instructor, showing us the basics of creating delicious salsas and a poblano mole for enchiladas and cilantro rice. She gave fascinating historical information on the types of sauces in traditional Mexican cuisine as well as useful techniques to recreate this food at home. The tortilla-making was our favorite part. This is a family-run business by locals who have worked in the culinary industry for many years and their pride in their food and culture really shows.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
¡Hola! Thank you so much for your kind words. It was truly my pleasure to have you in my kitchen! I am so happy that you enjoyed the history behind our traditional salsas and the Mole Poblano—these recipes carry the soul of Mexico, and sharing them with you is a joy. I’m especially glad to hear that the tortilla-making was your favorite part; there is something so special about making them by hand, isn't there? As a family-run business, your recognition of our pride and hard work means the world to us. I hope to see photos when you recreate those enchiladas at home!
Gracias!
Adrian_B, Feb 2026
Really friendly and accommodating host, with lots of knowledge about local history and culture, not to mention the cuisine. Alma is a great cook and teacher - had great fun and cooked (amongst other things) the best guacamole I’ve ever tasted! Would thoroughly recommend this experience.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Hi there! Thank you so much for the kind words. It was such a pleasure having you in my kitchen here in Playa del Carmen. I’m thrilled you enjoyed the stories about our history and culture—I believe food tastes even better when you know the roots behind it! And hearing that it was the 'best guacamole' you've ever had makes my day. Hopefully, you’re already showing off those salsa-making skills back home. Safe travels!
Sarah_C, Jan 2026
Alma was amazing, absolutely loved learning from her. Made you feel right at home. Can’t recommend this experience enough.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for taking the time to write a review for us, we highly appreciate your visit, muchas gracias!
Aimee_G, Dec 2025
We had a great experience learning and gaining experience behind the cultural aspects of different foods here in Mexico.
The chef and her daughter are an amazing team and it was easy for us to follow along and still gain new culinary skills. The food was very authentic and cooked in traditional clay dishes. We used simple ingredients and learned how to develop their flavours in unique ways. We even made our own tequila drinks the right way! I highly recommend this cooking class! For everyone of all ages and skills.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are so glad you enjoyed the experience with our mother-daughter team. We truly believe that the traditional clay dishes (cazuelas) add a special soul and flavor to the food that you just can't get any other way. It’s fantastic that you enjoyed learning how to elevate simple, fresh ingredients into complex flavors—that is the true secret of Mexican home cooking! And of course, making a 'proper' tequila drink is a skill every traveler should take home. We hope to see you and your family again!
Andres_R, Dec 2025
Alma was such a great host as she welcomed us in her home for an amazing experience! She started by giving us a history of Playa del Carmen and the surrounding areas. We learned how to make tamales, delicious guacamole along with a couple of other delights. We received a pdf of so many delicious recipes that we're excited to try at home! Such a lovely lady. Thank you for the experience!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
¡Muchas gracias! We believe that the best way to learn about Mexican culture is in a warm, welcoming home environment, so we’re thrilled you felt so welcomed by Alma. From the history of the area to the hands-on tamale making, it sounds like you had a full cultural immersion! Thank you for mentioning the recipe guide—we want all our guests to feel like they’ve gained a new skill they can share with their friends and family back home.
kiran_k, Dec 2025
My partner and I went to this cooking class, and it was such an informative and memorable experience. Alma was an amazing host — warm, knowledgeable, and so passionate about what she does. I learned so much about the history of Playa del Carmen, which I had no idea about before, and it made the whole experience even more special.
The food we made was absolutely incredible. I was in a full food coma afterward because everything was just that good! One of my favourite parts was learning how to make salsa from scratch, and I can’t wait to try it at home.
Thank you so much for such a fantastic experience.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are smiling at the 'food coma' comment—Alma always says that a full stomach is the sign of a successful lesson! We are so glad you enjoyed the deep dive into the history of Playa del Carmen; we believe that understanding the roots of our city makes every bite taste even better. It’s fantastic that the salsa-making was a highlight for you. Once you've made it from scratch with Alma, there’s no going back to the store-bought kind! We hope to see you and your partner again soon.
Shelby_S, Nov 2025
We had the most amazing experience during our cooking class. It was the highlight of our honeymoon trip! We made salsas, guacamole, tortillas, peppers/onions, rice and enchiladas. Everything was fantastic!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Congratulations on your wedding! We are beyond honored that our cooking class was a highlight of your honeymoon in Playa del Carmen. It was such a joy to host you both in the kitchen as you start this new chapter together. You certainly mastered a feast—from the hand-pressed tortillas to those delicious enchiladas! We hope that whenever you recreate these dishes at home, they bring back wonderful memories of your first trip as a married couple. ¡Felicidades!
Andrea_G, Nov 2025
Alma was a fantastic host, I cannot recommend this experience enough. We learned about the history of Playa Del Carmen, made some fantastic food and enjoyed cocktails. Alma also accommodated our dietary requirements and allergies making the experience truly welcoming and comfortable throughout. We went to the grocery store on the way back to our apartment to pick up ingredients to try the recipes we learned again as soon as possible. Thank you Alma!
Lori_N, Nov 2025
What an amazing experience! Chef Alama was so informative about Playa Car, culture and cooking. I am so glad the my husband and I signed up for this class. Will make homemade tamales, salsa, guacamole and soup back home in Wisconsin! A must thing to do while you are visiting.
Janeen_M, Nov 2025
Chef Alma is lovely! Super personable and full of knowledge about many regions in Mexico, not just Quintana Roo. We got to feed our brains and our stomachs. We learned so much about salsas, guacamoles, and sauces that alone was worth the time and cost. In addition, learning about the ingredients and how to make tortillas from scratch is a skill and knowledge that we will use forever. Thank you so much Chef Alma and Viator for this great class! We will return!
Carl_H, Oct 2025
My wife and I were thrilled to have signed up for this class! Alma and Mari took the best care of us, giving us history of the Playa Del Carmen area, the food and so much more. This was truly a hand on experience from feeling the different types of Masa and understanding the pros and cons of each when it comes to making tortilla dough, making the dough, pressing and frying the tortillas, preparing and grinding tantalizing salsas in a molcajete, guacamole (aka - a thick sauce) with a hint of habanero, cilantro rice, and delicious chicken poblano enchiladas! Every step was thoughtfully explained, guided, and then tasked for us to complete. It was such an amazing experience, we felt like we were fast friends as she welcomed us into her home. Alma was such a fantastic host!
Mal de Puerco!
We highly highly recommend this experience and can’t wait to brings her lessons home and make some authentic Mexican cuisine at home!
Erica_D, Sep 2025
This was absolutely amazing! She went into detail about why things were used and about the history of Mexico. She was beyond nice and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend this cooking class!!
Nicole_F, Sep 2025
Alma was the absolute best. Not only did we get to learn how to make some of the most delicious food we've ever had, but she made it super fun and informative. We learned all about Mexican history and culture as well as the food. Definitely one of the major highlights of our entire trip!
Laura_S, Sep 2025
If we could give this 6/5 we would. Alma and Gladys were outstanding hosts, making us feel at home. The session was informative, with lots of information and history, and we were put at ease straight away.
Jessica_S, Aug 2025
Chef Alma was fantastic! From the history lesson on Playa del Carmen to the actual dishes it was an authentic experience that was educational and fun! This one is not to be missed! If you want something away from the touristy scene, this is it. My daughter and I did many tours in PDC but this was the most authentic. Chef Alma is the sweetest and the best hostess! Highly recommended!!!!
Chadrack_m, Jun 2025
Cooking with Alma and her, sharing her years of experience in the kitchen to a couple of strangers was something that was very sweet and endearing experience. She was very polite and kind to everyone and made sure to share her cultural story behind every food and how it’s made why it was made the way it was and giving his historical context helped us understand the depths of how these foods were made and giving us an appreciation as we made the food to remember the people that made it before us and getting to taste all the ingredients all the spices all the colors and the textures of everything is very beautiful and it was an amazing experience. My wife and i had lots of fun. This was one of our favorite activities we’ve done on our honeymoon.
Lenda_V, Jun 2025
It’s was part history and part hands on cooking! So much fun and The food was deliciouso! We would do this again!
Hannah_C, May 2025
Amazing and relaxing cooking class, did lots of different dishes. Alma was very interesting and full of energy and really inspired me to try these dishes at home,
Yoav_S, Apr 2025
I learnt to make tortillas, salsa and guacamole and I learnt a lot of new information about mexican cusine and Playa Del Carmen city
Kerry_T, Apr 2025
Chef Alma was charming, experienced, knowledgeable and a joy to interact. She taught us a lot about the history of Playa de Carmel as well as about the dishes she was teaching us. The dishes and her instructions were simple enough that we could repeat at home. She sent us home with 43 of her family recipes. Definitely a hi-light of our trip..
Charles_P, Feb 2025
Fun, educational and delicious. Would strongly recommend for any age.
Will take another class whenever we get back to Playa!
Teresa_P, Feb 2025
Chef Alma was fabulous! Her knowledge of not only authentic Mexican cooking, but also the history of the area and tips on where to get authentic food added so much to the whole experience. There were eight of us and it was a perfect size for learning and socialization.
Alexandra_L, Jan 2025
Chef Alma was so great and nice! She truly does make you feel welcomed in her home. It was great to learn about the history of Playa Del Carmen and about the cuisine of the area as well. All of my friends had fun with this experience, and the recipes you receive are priceless! We walked to the location from downtown Playa Del Carmen from the coast and felt extremely safe. I cannot recommend this experience enough!
From $112.48
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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