Authentic Jaliscan Cooking Class with a Local Helene in a Traditional Hacienda

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Authentic Jaliscan Cooking Class with a Local in a Traditional Hacienda

From $136.00

Price varies by group size

Select Date and Travelers

up to 2 days in advance

4 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Explore our promoted experiences

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Chocolate and truffles workshop

107

from $56.90

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Puerto Vallarta Cooking Experience with Market Tour and Tastings

613

from $134.40

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Taste the Spirits of Mexico: Tequila & Mezcal Tasting

from $30.48

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Learn how to prepare an authentic Jaliscan meal during a private cooking class at Helene’s home kitchen in Puerto Vallarta. Discover the traditional flavors used in Jaliscan cuisine and enjoy a hands-on culinary experience preparing recipes that she has perfected over the years. Get an insider's peek into the local culture and lifestyle, and spend about an hour and a half cooking before sitting down to enjoy your meal.

Cook an authentic Jaliscan cuisine at a home kitchen in Puerto Vallarta
Visit a residential area of Puerto Vallarta that few tourists get to see
A perfect introduction for first-time visitors and foodies
All ingredients used during the class are included in the price of your tour

Sample Menu

Starter

Seafood ceviche

Starter

Chile poblano soup

Main

Fried whole snapper with salsa, carne asada, or birria (meat stew)

with tortillas and refried beans

Dessert

Fresh fruit or Mexican rice pudding

What's Included

Private cooking class and homecooked meal with your host Helene
Lunch
Alcoholic Beverages

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

C. Joaquín Pardave 296, Moderna, 48344 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
Please meet your host at their home in Puerto Vallarta. Please check the 'Before you go' section in your ticket for the exact address, the above only offers neighborhood details, and not the exact address. Exact address and contact details can be found in your ticket upon booking confirmation.

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

10:30 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

Helene is tall with white hair and drives a white, Ford Explorer SUV.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Menu may vary depending on the season
If any travelers in your party have any allergies, dietary restrictions or cooking preferences please advise at time of booking

Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Private, personalized experience
Optional pick-up and drop-off is offered only from hotels within Puerto Vallarta (there is an extra cost for this). If you are staying outside Puerto Vallarta (Nuevo Vallarta or other neighboring regions), Helene will pick you up from the entrance of the Costco in the Fluvial neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta.
Dinner experiences are only offered during the cooler months of November - March.
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

Richard_D

Cooking with Helene was the highlight of our week in PV! She is a wonderful host and person; she treated us like family. The food was also incredible; she sources ingredients daily and plans the menu based on what’s fresh. Everything is made from scratch. My wife is Latina and we’ve lived/traveled throughout Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean; Helene’s cooking (ceviche, salsas, carne asada, and so much more) was some of the best we’ve ever had. We’re looking forward to visiting again on future visits. If she is available, book her. You will not regret it.

Reviews

5.0

26 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 26 reviews

Great culinary experience!

Rhastings, May 2024

Warm hospitality! Great culinary insights! Authentic Mexican cuisine! Tasty meals! Lovely time- the highlight of my vacation!

Love Locals!

KRISTINA_G, Apr 2024

Helene was an absolutely wonderful hostess!! What a fun and both tasty and educational way to learn about the Jaliscan culture!

Fantastic Food Fun

Jeff_S, Dec 2023

Helene was a fantastic teacher and host who makes Mexican food fun and easy to cook. Bring your appetite and you will not be disappointed.

Relaxed cooking with friendly Helena!

Karen_B, Dec 2023

Helen is a very friendly hostess. The experience was relaxed and fun. Her dogs were entertaining as well!

Meal of a lifetime.

Richard_D, Aug 2023

Amazing Experience

Rafael_Z, Jul 2023

By far the best experience of my life! Elena and Guadalupe welcomed us in and we’re nothing but loving and helpful. My son now has solid grasp on Mexican cuisine all thanks to them. Will definitely do it again.

Great activity for families

Diana_B, Dec 2022

This was a wonderful afternoon. The hostess was gracious and kind, and patient with my teenager and husband, who are not cooks. Her home is the perfect setting for a cozy afternoon, it is nice not to be with a crowd of people on a commercial excursion. The menu was customized to our preferences and the food was delicious. It was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. We will cook these foods again at home for sure!

Making the salsa and...

Violet_N, Dec 2022

Making the salsa and homemade chips. Also Enjoying the delicious ceviche and dining on beautiful patio.

Wonderful Experience - do not miss out!!

Holly_T, Sep 2022

Cooking with Helene and Lupe was the most special and memorable experiences of our time in PV. I was expecting to learn one, maybe two dishes and she was prepared to show us FOUR plus homemade chips and salsa and margaritas! Helene kindly adapted her recipes to accommodate my husband's allergies and the food was absolutely delicious. We ate each course together and shared stories, by the end it felt like we had just been visiting a good friend. I cannot recommend this highly enough - your visit to PV will be incomplete if you don't get to meet Helene!

Helene is Wonderful!

Kris1024_WI, Nov 2019

My friend and I spent an amazing afternoon learning to cook with Helene! She was a wonderful hostess, her Hacienda was ever so charming and the food was authentic and delicious!! I very much appreciated her knowledge of the area and the culture. Highly recommend!!!

Our host was excellent and...

Joseph F, Feb 2018

Our host was excellent and accommodating in every way. Beginning with meeting us at a central point in order to take any stress out of finding the hacienda :- The food prep was fun and engaging -- she was able to tell us the history of Mexican ingredients in a great detail. Great conversation and drinks over the lunch and she would not let us help with any of the clean-up. Tempus fugit when you are having fun and we most certainly did not want to leave. I don't want to post any pictures of the sumptuous meals only because I want you to go and form your own memories -- you won't be disappointed. Great day - highly recommended.