Our Offbeat Life contains affiliate links & participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program & other affiliate programs. If you buy something using an Amazon or other link, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. See our Disclosure for more details.
5 Best Cooking Classes in Playa del Carmen
Have you been wondering about Playa del Carmen cooking classes? You’ve come to the right place!
Cooking classes in Playa del Carmen are a great way to get an immersive experience of the local culture. During my year living there with my family, we took full advantage of the cooking classes offered.
We had fun learning new recipes and techniques for preparing local dishes and even making our own chocolate from scratch! Plus, it was a great way to meet locals and get some inside tips on what other experiences to try.
I highly recommend that anyone who visits Playa del Carmen take a cooking class! It’s a great opportunity to learn about the local cuisine and have a hands-on experience that your travel group can enjoy together.
So let’s go! Here are the top cooking classes in Playa del Carmen!
My Top Pick for Cooking Classes in Playa del Carmen
Top 5 Cooking Classes in Playa del Carmen
1. Mexican Cooking Experience & Local Markets Tour

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5 hours | ✅ Book Now
This hands-on cooking school Playa del Carmen offers is a unique experience that will delight chefs, home cooks, and foodies. After meeting up with your host, head to the markets to can pick up the freshest ingredients for the meal.
Depending on your preferences, you’ll be able to prepare traditional Mexican dishes like tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, and more! Vegans and vegetarians are welcome to join this delicious adventure.
Your host will show you how to make authentic corn tortillas from scratch using fresh masa. Learn different methods of making these delicious flatbreads and enjoy hearing stories about Mexican food culture from locals.
Finally, get ready to eat! The best part of this amazing cooking class Playa del Carmen is that you get to taste all of the dishes that you helped create throughout the day. This experience will leave lasting memories and provide invaluable cooking skills!
Absolutely incredible!…Everything was delicious and it was a very fun experience for us…We got to take home a full belly, apron and a cookbook. Highly recommend!
bryanna d (read more Reviews)
🔑 Key Essentials
☑️ Bottled water
☑️ Lunch & Snacks included
☑️ Vegetarian options available
☑️ Group size 12 maximum
☑️ All ages welcome
☑️ Kids must be accompanied by an adult
2. Mexican Culinary Experience & Mezcal vs Tequila Class

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5 hours | ✅ Book Now
Mexico’s culinary experience is an incredible journey of discovery. From tacos to ceviche and mezcal to tequila, whether you’re looking to explore the local flavors or try something new, this cooking class has everything you need.
Enjoy more than just a three course meal! You also get to learn valuable cooking techniques that will stay with you long after your vacation ends. Learn traditional Mexican dishes from scratch!
Start your journey with a Ceviche Timbal appetizer, followed by Tacos and mole salsas or Fish and shrimp in achiote. To finish off the perfect meal, enjoy Caramelized and flambeed bananas for dessert. Yum!
The cooking class was amazing! We were able to spend detailed time learning more about Mexican cuisine, enjoy general time with a great new friend, and enjoy an amazing meal!
max m (read more Reviews)
🔑 Key Essentials
☑️ Cook a 3-course dinner
☑️ 12 participants maximum
☑️ All ages welcome
☑️ Must be 18+ to consume or taste alcohol
🤩 Check Rates and Availability! 🤩
3. Chocolate Making Workshop

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 hours | ✅ Book Now
A Chocolate Making Workshop might seem like a strange addition to the list of cooking classes that you can do on vacation in Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya but it truly is an amazing experience!
The Mayan Cacao Company, located just an easy ferry ride away from Playa del Carmen in Cozumel, is the perfect spot for learning all about chocolate and its history. Here, you’ll uncover the origins of cacao with a knowledgeable guide!
During your workshop time at The Mayan Cacao Company, not only will you learn valuable information about how chocolate is made and the history behind where it came from, but you get to create your very own handmade Chocolate Bar.
You will be guided through all of the steps from roasting, grinding, and creating your very own bar with an authentic recipe from the Mayans! Each of us made our bars a bit different, and we enjoyed trying each others’ when we returned home.
Awesome experience. Making chocolate with my family was great and learning about it in depth was cool!
monica h (read more Reviews)
🔑 Key Essentials
☑️ Make Mayan Chocolate
☑️ Kids 5 and up allowed
☑️ Kids 5-12 are discounted
☑️ 12 participants max
☑️ Chocolate drinks available at an extra cost
4. Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Playa del Carmen

⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours | ✅ Book Now
After learning about the items on the lunch menu for this Playa del Carmen cooking class, you’ll head off to a nearby market to pick up all the ingredients needed for the meal.
You can observe, learn, and even lend a helping hand as local chefs prepare traditional Mexican dishes from scratch with their own recipes. Once the meal is complete, everyone can enjoy it together!
The chef will also provide valuable tips and tricks that you won’t find in any cookbook. Not only are you learning about Mexican cuisine, but you’re also getting to know local culture first-hand by interacting with long-term residents of Playa del Carmen!
The chefs were amazing – good time and great food! Lovely to learn how to cook authentic food from locals in a small group setting.
amanda l (read more Reviews)
🔑 Key Essentials
☑️ Cook dinner in a chef’s home
☑️ Small group of 8 people maximum
☑️ No kids under 8 years old
☑️ Vegans & Vegetarians welcome
5. Drinking School: Mexican Cocktail & Appetizer Class

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours | ✅ Book Now
Under the guidance of Chef Coty, you’ll learn how to make ceviche, various salsas, and shrimp and pineapple skewers. All these are signature recipes informed by the chef’s personal life experiences as a culinary artist.
Begin your class by making one signature cocktail while enjoying it alongside your first appetizer. Once finished you’ll move on to making another cocktail and appetizer, followed by yet another round.
It’s a full meal! With these recipes under your belt, you won’t forget the flavors of Mexico anytime soon. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to create unique Mexican dishes and cocktails!
We had a wonderful time cooking with Cody. What an experience. Everyone should do this cooking class. Worth every penny! Hope we have the opportunity to do it again some day!
tripadvisor reviewer (read more Reviews)
🔑 Key Essentials
☑️ Includes recipes, ingredients to prepare food and drinks
☑️ 2-12 travelers per group
☑️ Participants must be 16+
☑️ Take home food and drink recipes to use later
☑️ Wheelchair accessible
Final Thoughts: Playa del Carmen Cooking Classes
After reading about all the amazing cooking classes offered in Playa del Carmen, you want to make sure that you can experience this for yourself. With so many different things to do in Playa del Carmen, it can be hard to choose just one.
🤩 Mexican Cooking Experience & Local Markets Tour is the best cooking class in Playa del Carmen because it’s the most comprehensive cooking experience in town! 🤩
Especially if you’re coming on a day trip from further afield, like Cancun or Tulum. The best way to guarantee an amazing time is to book a cooking class Riviera Maya offers from this list!
With these classes, you’ll learn authentic Mexican dishes, from appetizers and drinks to chocolates and main dishes. Plus, you’ll pick up invaluable cultural experiences!
No matter which class you decide on, you’re sure to have an absolutely amazing time cooking in Playa del Carmen! Don’t forget about the Playa del Carmen food tours, if you just want to eat rather than cook it, too.
So don’t dilly-dally. Book your cooking class today and get ready for a truly unforgettable experience. We loved all of our cooking classes in Playa del Carmen. You can’t go wrong with whatever you choose!
👉 While we have global health insurance for our day-to-day lives, we also elect travel insurance with SafetyWing for our spurts of fast travel adventure!

