Pleasure your palate with meat-stuffed empanadas, succulent shrimp tacos, and sweet Mexican pastries on a culinary tour of Cozumel. Sample the exotic flavors of the idyllic island, noting the Mexican spice and Caribbean flair of the dishes due to Cozumel’s close proximity to Cuba. Immerse yourself in the culinary customs of the area as a knowledgeable guide takes you to five favorite local haunts to same fine Yucatan bites and beverages. Enjoy personalized attention and round-trip transportation on this intimate small group tour.

Guided tour of the best eats on Cozumel
Sample authentic dishes at five spots where the island locals dine
Savor empanadas, indulge in succulent tacos, and wash it all down with cold beer
Learn about Yucatecan cuisine and visit an open-air market
Feast on home-cooked food in a concina economica, a traditional family-run restaurant
Refresh with fresh fruit juice known as agua fresca, and satisfy your sweet tooth with Mexican pastries
Small-group tour, limited to 12, means easy access to the experienced local guide

What's Included

Food tastings at 5 locations
Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Soriana Híper Isla de Cozumel
Av. Rafael E. Melgar 799, Centro, 77600 Cozumel, Q.R., Mexico
Please meet our guide inside of MEGA on the first floor in front of the OfficeMax entrance.

Start time

11:00 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Greet your gastronomic guide in downtown Cozumel to commence your epicurean adventure. Relax during the comfortable minivan journey to a selection of authentic eateries and food stalls located off-the-beaten-track. Sample a classic Mexican empanada then savor the fresh flavor of a succulent shrimp filled taco, the fish in which was recently caught from the crystal clear water of Cozumel’s sea. Sip a refreshing cerveza as your guide explains how a combination of Caribbean and Yucatan culture influence Cozumel’s colorful cuisine.

Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of an open-air market as you become acquainted with exotic spices, unfamiliar fruits, and mouthwatering meat. Feel the buzz and bustle before journeying to an intimate and ambient family-run restaurant (cocina economica) for a simple yet sublime taste of regional fare.

Conclude your gastronomic adventure with a visit to a Mexican bakery. Awaken your senses to the rich aromas of freshly baked bread and sweet pastries, and sip refreshing aqua fresca (a non-alcoholic drink of water and sweet fruit syrup) before returning to your minivan. Digest the knowledge gained on your cultural tour of Cozumel’s cuisine during the return journey to downtown Cozumel.

Cozumel Chef - Food Tours

3 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Gluten-free option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Wheelchair accessible
Important: Please note tour departs at 11am Cozumel Local time
Stroller accessible

Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

563 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 563 reviews

Wonderful friendly &...

Susan_S, Apr 2024

Wonderful friendly & knowledgeable guide. Local restaurant choices were great, food delicious & varied. Visit to the farmers market was so interesting & Erin’s description of all the many spices, produce, meats & fish was fascinating.

Taco tasting

Nancy, Mar 2024

The trip was an enjoyable food tasting of tacos, soup, fried fish and dessert. Our guide was excellent. It was just the right length.

You will be full!

Jami_S, Mar 2024

We had some tasty food! Great driver and tour guide. If you want to have some good food and learn about Cozumel take this tour.

Food tout

Jean_H, Feb 2024

Erin was very knowledge and took us to local family run restaurants, a local market and a bakery. All the food was very good. Enjoyed our time with her.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Jean, thank you very much for your 5-star review. We're thrilled to hear that you had a great time with Erin on our tour and had a positive experience overall. We hope to see you again for more culinary adventures in the future!

Locals experience

Dan_B, Feb 2024

We were a group 10 and good transportation was provided. We visited 3 traditional restaurants, the central market and a bakery. The businesses were certainly out of the tourist district and where the locals would frequent. Everywhere we went we felt welcomed, we tried a variety of local dishes, learned about some culture, history, popular cooking practices and dishes. The visit to the central market was great, nice to see where the local restaurants are going to pickup a majority of their ingredients. Our guide was knowledgeable and a great communicator. It was worth the price.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you and your group had a great time on our tour. We're glad to know that these businesses gave you an authentic experience and that you felt welcomed everywhere you went. We're delighted that our guide was knowledgeable and a great communicator throughout the tour. Knowing that you felt the experience was worth the price is incredibly rewarding for us. Thank you for choosing our tour, and we hope to see you again for more memorable experiences in the future!

Fun and delicious!

Shannon_O, Feb 2024

Our guide, Alvaranza, was spectacular! She accompanied us to five amazing eateries and all of the food was delicious. Loved learning about the cuisine and people of Cozumel. Rodrigo, our driver, was wonderful as well. Great experience!

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Shannon, thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that your guide, Aranza, made your food tour spectacular. We're happy to know that you enjoyed the food and learned about the cuisine and people of Cozumel. Your feedback means a lot to us, and we're delighted that you had a great experience overall. We hope to see you again soon for more culinary adventures!

Wonderful Tour!!

JoLea_C, Jan 2024

Our tour guide, Aranza, was amazing!! She had some great knowledge and fun history to tell us! We loved each place we went and the food was delicious 😋 Highly recommend this tour!!

Response from Host, Feb 2024

JoLea, thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing experience with Aranza as your guide. It's fantastic that her knowledge and fun historical anecdotes added to your enjoyment of the tour. We're delighted that you loved each place you visited and found the food delicious. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another fantastic tour in the future!

Incredible!

Emily_R, Jan 2024

We had such a wonderful experience and relaxing time on this amazing tour with Erin! We saved this for our last day and it felt like the perfect close to the trip. Erin was an absolute joy! She’s a kind soul and so nice, and we had a great time talking with her around the table like we were old friends. She took the time to share a little history behind some of the food and drinks (best homemade juices!), and made us feel so welcome in each local family establishement. The first course, conchinita tacos were delicious! For the second we tried the shrimp tacos, so tender and yummy. The lime soup was tasty and comforting at stop 3. The market was so cool and sweet to see the locals selling their produce, spices, and fresh meat/fish. Restaurant 4 we enjoyed the best fresh ceviche, and had incredible fried grouper, with rice and cabbage salad. To top it all off, we got to choose our very own dessert from a local bakery. If you want to get an authentic true Cozumel cultural experience, take this tour with Erin! It’s an all around great time and beats the Senior Frogs and Hooters at the ferry port ;)

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thank you immensely for your glowing review! We're elated that your experience with Erin on our tour was not only wonderful and relaxing but also the perfect conclusion to your trip. Erin is indeed a gem, and we're glad to hear that her warm and welcoming demeanor made you feel like old friends around the table. We're thrilled that you enjoyed the delicious meals at the local establishments, exploring the market, and witnessing the locals selling their produce. Your enthusiasm for experiencing authentic Cozumel culture with us is truly appreciated, and we couldn't agree more that experiencing authentic Cozumel culture beats the typical tourist spots, we're thrilled that Erin was able to provide such an immersive experience. We hope to see you again on your future visits to the Caribbean.

A great time for our group of 9 friends

Pete_D, Jan 2024

This food tour was fun and informative, going to local places that we would never have tried, in a comfortable manner. Our guide, Aran, was very nice and knowledgeable. No reservations recommending this fun excursion.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Pete! Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you found our food tour to be both enjoyable and informative. It's fantastic to hear that Aranza, our guide, made your experience comfortable and enriched it with her knowledge. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back for another fun excursion in the future!

Fun for lunch!

Alyson_B, Dec 2023

Wow! What a fun experience! My family had a great time tasting the local cuisine with our wonderful tour guide Aranza. We traveled on an air conditioned van and went to 5 local restaurants. We ate tacos, fish, salsas, rice, soup, drinks and more! We loved it!

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Victor, thank you for sharing your delightful experience! We're happy to hear that your family had such a great time exploring the local cuisine with our wonderful tour guide, Aranza. We're glad you loved it, and we look forward to the opportunity to host you and your family again for more fun-filled culinary explorations!

Feast on Fresh Local Cuisine & Culture

Nicole_W, Dec 2023

The food and Rosy, our guide, were both amazing. We learned so much about the culture and customs through the food. There was an abundance of food. My favorite was the whole fried fish and the grilled garlic shrimp tacos. The pan dulce was excellent as well. So fresh! I highly recommend this tour and look forward to doing it again when I return.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Nicole, we're thrilled to hear that you found both the food and your guide to be amazing. It's so nice to know that the culinary journey provided insights into the culture and customs through the delightful array of dishes. We're glad you enjoyed the freshness of the pan dulce too! Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we'd be delighted to welcome you back for another round of culinary exploration when you return. Until then, happy travels!

Amazing time with Jerry

David_M, Dec 2023

We had a great time with Jerry. Great to eat at local spots where everything is fresh and no tourists. Experience the best of Cozumel

Response from Host, Jan 2024

David, thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great time with Jerry. It's fantastic that you enjoyed dining at local spots, savoring the freshness without the touristy vibe. If there's anything else you'd like to explore in the future, we'd love to have you back for more memorable moments!

This your was everything...

Maria_G, Dec 2023

This your was everything we wanted it to be. Erin was a terrific guide who taught us about the various foods and drinks we were enjoying. Loved going to the different restaurants, the Market because we experienced Cozumel as a local rather than a tourist.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Maria, thank you for the wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that our tour lived up to your expectations. Erin is fantastic, and we're glad you found her to be a terrific guide. We're happy that the tour provided a local perspective. Experiencing Cozumel authentically is what we aim for, and we're delighted to have achieved that for you. Thanks for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back for more culinary adventures!

Great yummy tour.

Keith_M, Dec 2023

This tour was absolutely wonderful. Our guide took us to out of the way restaurants and was very informative. Places we never would have found on our own.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Keith, a big thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted that you had such a positive experience on the tour. We're happy to know our guide's choice of offbeat restaurants and informative commentary created a truly unique adventure. We can't wait to welcome you back for another wonderful exploration!

Real local food!

Curtis_P, Dec 2023

This was a very special food tour - and we take a lot of food tours. Aran, our amazing guide who was very knowledgeable and pleasant to be with, took us away from the tourist zone and to the restaurants, cafes, and bakery where the people of Cozumel eat genuine local foods. The food was simply amazing--flavorful, fresh, and different from other parts of Mexico. The side trip to a local market was very interesting and informative. We learned so much on this delightful and savory culinary experience.

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Curtis, we're thrilled to receive your 5-star review! We're delighted that the tour, guided by Aranza's expertise, provided you with a standout culinary journey away from tourist zones. Your appreciation for the flavorful and distinct local dishes, coupled with the insightful market excursion, encapsulates what we aim to deliver. Can't wait to welcome you back for another memorable food tour!

Great experience with local food stops

Kelleen_T, Dec 2023

Our tour guild Aaron was excellent she was prompt, informative and a delightful person. The 5 places we stopped were delicious! And a stop at the farmers market too. We will be looking for more of these kinds of tours at different places. I’d recommend this tour for anybody that loves good food.

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! Our guide is thrilled to have provided an excellent and delightful tour. We're delighted to hear that the five stops you made were delightful, and the inclusion of a visit to the market added a unique touch. Your recommendation is truly valued, and we look forward to welcoming you for more culinary adventures in various locations. Thanks for choosing Cozumel Chef!

Excellent and informative (and delicious)

Alexis_M, Dec 2023

I booked this for parents and brother—second time. Excellent overall—very educational, delicious, and enjoyable for all types of people. Superb fish!!! Highlight of their Cozumel trip while we were diving.

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Thank you for taking the tour with us again and sharing your experience! It's fantastic that the tour became the highlight of your parents and brother's trip. We truly appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you all back for more wonderful experiences. Thanks for choosing Cozumel Chef!

Highly recommend

Mary_V, Dec 2023

Delicious food and drink and a really friendly tour guide. We had a great time! You won’t regret booking this tour.

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Mary, thank you for your five-star review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed delicious food, drink, and a really friendly tour guide. Your encouragement that others won't regret booking this tour is highly appreciated. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome you back for more enjoyable experiences. Thanks for choosing Cozumel Chef!

Excellent experience

Marie_C, Oct 2023

Great tour! My husband and I had been to the island 3-4 times now and have branched out to find more local haunts each time. This food tour was a great experience and took us to places we wouldn’t have found ourselves. Gerry, our guide, was very friendly and knowledgeable about the area and the traditional foods that the locals prepare and the why behind the foods (such as the traditional ground cooked cochinita). He walked us through the local market and went through local fruits and vegetables and how they are used in traditional cooking. He was also knowledgeable about the island and its history! Carlos was our taxi driver and he was great at getting us around to our next destination. Great tour to immerse yourself a bit more in the culture of Cozumel.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful experience! We're delighted to know that our food tour offered you a fresh perspective on Cozumel, even after several visits. It's always our aim to showcase hidden gems and introduce our guests to the authentic flavors and stories of the island. Gerry is truly passionate about sharing the traditional foods and their significance, and we're glad you found his tour of the local market enlightening. Also, we're pleased that Carlos made your transportation smooth and efficient. We appreciate your high recommendation and hope you'll join us for more cultural and culinary adventures on your next visit to Cozumel!

THE Food Tour in Cozumel!!

Rhonda_K, Sep 2023

Erin was a great tour guide, both personable and interesting. She shared interesting facts about the island and the food. Each stop was unique, local, and delicious. I am at a loss to pick what I liked best because each item was very different and very good. I was so full at the end of the tour, I was happy to take my pastry for another day. This is definitely the food tour to do in Cozumel!!

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Rhonda! Thank you so much for your glowing review! We're thrilled to hear that Erin was an outstanding guide, providing a personable and informative experience. We're delighted to hear that choosing a favorite was a pleasant challenge. Your endorsement as the must-do food tour in Cozumel means a lot to us, and we can't wait to welcome you back for more culinary adventures in the future. Thanks for choosing Cozumel Chef!

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