Cook Rondón in San Andrés: Learn the Island's Signature Dish

You cook the island's most famous dish, not just taste it

Cook, taste, and play music at a hands-on class in San Andrés where you learn to prepare Rondón (the traditional Caribbean dish made with coconut milk, fresh fish, breadfruit, and sea snail) over firewood, then eat it with live island musicians. The experience runs about two and a half hours and includes a welcome drink, entrance to West View EcoPark, and a chance to try playing traditional instruments like the horse jaw. Children from age one are welcome, and the site is fully wheelchair accessible.

The experience

You arrive at West View EcoPark with a free afternoon and no plan to fill it. The class starts with fresh coconut water and a short history of San Andrés and its food. Then you move to the cooking station, where a chef walks you through making Rondón over firewood: the real way it's cooked on the island. You handle the ingredients yourself: fresh fish, pork tail or sea snail, breadfruit (a rare fruit that grows in only a few places worldwide), and coconut milk. You also make Dumpling, an island-style arepa, and add everything to the cauldron as it cooks. The whole prep takes about an hour.

Once the Rondón is ready, live musicians arrive with traditional instruments. You get to try playing the horse jaw and other pieces while they perform. Then you sit down to eat the dish you just made (the coconut broth, the soft breadfruit, the fish) with a cold drink. The meal is the payoff for the work, and it tastes different when you know what went into it.

The experience is built for all ages and all comfort levels. Infants can come in a pram or stroller. The grounds are fully wheelchair accessible, and transportation options nearby work for people with mobility needs. You'll need to get yourself to the meeting point (public transit is available), but once you're there, everything else is arranged.

What’s included

• Hands-on preparation of Rondón with a chef guiding you through the entire cooking process over firewood.
• fresh coconut water upon arrival.
• live music performance with traditional island musicians and the chance to play instruments like the horse jaw yourself.
• the Rondón dish you helped prepare, served with a refreshing natural drink.
• entrance to West View EcoPark.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday and SaturdayDeparts at 11:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (9 to 88 years) · Child (1 to 8 years)

GroupUp to 52

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Rondon Tour

Is this one for you?You do the cooking yourself with the chef's guidance, so this suits anyone who wants to learn the skill and feel the work behind the dish, not just taste it. If you'd rather watch a demonstration and eat without the hands-on part, look for a food tasting tour instead.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 8 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is Rondón and why is it important to San Andrés?

Rondón is the iconic traditional dish of San Andrés and Providencia, made with coconut milk, fresh fish, pork tail or sea snail, and breadfruit: a rare fruit found in only a few places worldwide. It's cooked over firewood and represents the island's Caribbean heritage and local food culture.

Do I actually cook the Rondón myself, or do I just watch?

You actively participate in the preparation. A chef guides you through the entire process over firewood: you handle the ingredients, make the Dumpling (island arepa), and add everything to the cauldron as it cooks. You're not standing on the sidelines.

What happens after the cooking is done?

Live musicians perform with traditional island instruments, and you get a chance to try playing them yourself, including the horse jaw. Then you sit down and eat the Rondón you prepared, served with a refreshing natural drink.

How long does the whole experience take?

The class runs about two and a half hours from start to finish: a welcome and introduction, an hour of hands-on cooking, live music and instrument playing, and then the meal.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to arrange myself?

The class includes the cooking instruction, fresh coconut water at the start, the Rondón meal you prepare, live music and a chance to play traditional instruments, entrance to West View EcoPark, and a refreshing drink with the meal. You'll need to get yourself to the meeting point on your own. Public transportation is available nearby.