From tostadas and tamales to papayas and empanadas, the flavors of the Yucatan are made to enjoy. Learn to cook a variety of traditional Yucatecan and Mayan delicacies with a home chef during this private cooking class in Merida, which takes place in a private home in a residential district unknown to most visitors. Learn about local culture that many tourists never see as you help prepare a traditional-style meal before sitting down to enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor.

Private cooking lesson in Yucatean cuisine in Merida
Learn to cook a variety of traditional foods like tamales, tostadas, and salsas
See a side of local culture unknown to most tourists
Lunch or dinner option available
Vegetarian meal option available
Free drinks included

What's Included

Private cooking class with your host Sofia
Bottled water
Lunch
Dinner

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

C. 17ᴬ 102A, Bulevares de Chuburná, 97205 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico
Please meet your host Sofia at her home in Bulevares de Chuburna neighborhood of Merida. Please check the 'Before you go' section on your confirmation for the exact address. The above only offers neighborhood details, and not the exact address.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Please note, Sofia's home is also a homestay so other guests might be present in the home, but your experience will be private

Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
This is not a professional cooking class, rather this experience is a visit into an authentic, local home to meet a local person and share the culture and cuisine together
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 2 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 2 full days before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Juan_S

I enjoyed my experience very much. Sofia was full of knowledge in regards to the Mayan culture and of Mérida history. It was very hands on and she explains everything very well. Explains the difference in the foods found in the Yucatan. What we prepared was delicious. I especially loved the sopa de lima and the dessert caballeros pobres. One of my favorite experiences here. Thank you Sofia for your hospitality.

Reviews

5.0

85 reviews

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

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 85 reviews

Amazing Cooking Class with Sofia

mari999, Feb 2024

Perfect experience for introducing visiting guest to authentic Mayan cuisine! Sofia is passionate about cooking, in general; and, regional food particular. We had a memorable class that lasted several hours and culmunated with a delightful multi-dish meal we participated in preparing. Anyone who enjoys cooking should not miss this experience when visiting Merida!

Unique culinary experience.

Hilary_R, Jan 2024

We had a wonderful time learning to cook Yucatean dishes with Sofia. She welcomed us into her home and guided us through the processes involved in a range of traditional dishes. After all the preparation we sat down and ate together. Delicious!

Amazing experience!

Avril_M, Jan 2024

Wow what a day! We so enjoyed our cooking experience with Sofia. She was very warm and welcoming us into her beautiful home. She is an amazing chef, teaching us so new techniques for cooking. The food was glorious. We cannot recommend this experience more. Big thank you to Sofia for our Yucatan cooking experience.

Excellent!!!

Tara_S, Jan 2024

Best time and amazing local food! We had such a great experience. Highly recommend to everyone who wants an authentic adventure.

Incredible food and Sofia...

Quentin_F, Jan 2024

Incredible food and Sofia was fun to be around. She allowed us to have a big part in the food prep- we learned a lot. Thank you!

Great experience!

Julieanna_E, Dec 2023

My husband, seven year-old daughter and I had a great time. Sofia was receptive to our food constraints and we had a wonderful and educational time with her making delicious food!

Food, Culture, & Fun

Richard_S, Dec 2023

Meeting Sofia and hearing her explain about how foods from different cultures mixed was an unexpected highlight. She accommodated our food preferences and intolerances without affecting the quality or authenticity of the experience. We had fun, ate great food, learned a bit, and deepened our appreciation for Yucatan!

A most rewarding cooking experience

Danil_v, Aug 2023

Sofia, the host, is a very gifted cook. But apart from that, she explains the intricacies of the Yucatan cuisine in a clear, simple and humorous manner. The many stories about Yucatan and the history of her family make the cooking course an unforgettable afternoon. After the cooking is done, the resulting courses are served on a beautiful decorated table.

Must do in Mérida

Amber_H, Jun 2023

I had a really great time learning the traditional food of the yucatan not only did she teach me the food but she taught me the history about the yucatan Mayans and the pre colonial Spanish. This was one of the best experiences I had there and not to mention the food was delicious. 10 out of 10

Authentic Cooking with Sofia

RRrr91860, Feb 2023

We had a fabulous day with Sofia yesterday. She is a warm and welcoming home cook. We all learned new, helpful and surprising techniques. The food we prepared with Sofia’s patient guidance was delicious! We highly recommend cooking with Sofia.

Amazing food and learning

Jonathan_M, Jan 2023

Sophia was absolutely amazing. We learned tons of cooking tricks that Sophia had learned from her grandmother. She also taught us all about Yucatecan culture, history, and foodways. And then we sat around her lovely courtyard table and enjoyed the delicious feast we had just created! What an amazing day!!!!

An unforgettable experience!

Andrea_C, Jan 2023

My husband and I and his parents enjoyed a private cooking class with Sofía. We got to make several typical Yucatecan dishes (including relleno negro and handmade tortillas) and also learned a lot about Yucatán's history and Mayan culture as well as the story of Sofía's family. We had a lot of fun and the meal was amazing! Sofía is very patient and kind - a very generous host. I highly recommend this experience to anyone interested in food culture and connecting with locals.

Clase de cocina con Sofia

Samantha_D, Dec 2022

Spending time with Sofia, in her home, was a memory I will always cherish. She has such a warm soul, and she makes you feel like family. Her recipes were tasty, flavorful, and full of color.

Sofia the magnificent

Vinja_K, Feb 2022

We enjoyed in Sofia's dedication, new flavours, completly new ingredients, cultural insights. It was the best time in Jucatan. Every moment was fulfilling and joyful.

Intimate and authentic food

Nadja_S, Jan 2022

This was such an amazing opportunity. So thankful Sophia shared her culture and recipes. The food was authentic and delicious. Learned lots of tips and tricks too.

Mayan cooking class

Nadine_K, Jan 2022

This was a wonderful experience! Sophia invites you into her kitchen and shares her Mayan knowledge and her grandmother's recipes, passed down through many generations. We had a wonderful time and know so much more about the Mayans

Best 1st day experience

Juan_S, Nov 2021

Great experience

Veronika_H, Nov 2021

Sofía is a great host and she loves sharing her grandmother's recipes with people. During the cooking process she makes sure that alternatives are given so much that the recipes, which will be shared via the email after class can be re-cooked in when we you're back at home. And, for me the best, there are a lot of opportunities to try the foods while prepping it. Definitely a great experience.

I had a special night

Tong_G, Sep 2021

It was fun and food was very delicious. Sofia is very friendly and moves efficiently. I learnt a lot about cooking in general not only about Yucatan dishes. She told me that she is not a chef and changed some ways of cooking traditional Yucatan dishes. Because traditional ways could take a few days sometimes... But I enjoyed her way of cooking and appreciate that she invented faster ways to cook. I found it's very practical, so I can make those dishes when I go back home. The whole cooking took us 3 hrs but she offered cold beer in between so it was fun! She also told me that I'm her first student in 1 year and 8 months because she had to close the business due to COVID. I could tell she was very excited to teach and that made me feel special. After we are done cooking, we had dinner together. She showed me how to serve in certain ways along with some more cooking tips. I highly recommend taking this cooking class with Sofia if you ever come visit Merida. She also offer home stay with meals included!

Great cooking

StineDahl_V, Mar 2020

Great hospitality and fun experience, with a chance to try a big amount of Yucatan dishes. Would definitely recommend!