Antigua Cooking Class: Learn Guatemalan Dishes

Make three Guatemalan dishes and eat them the same afternoon

A small-group cooking class in Antigua where you learn to prepare tostadas, pepian and mole from a professional chef, then sit down to lunch with what you've cooked. The class runs four hours with hotel pickup and drop-off from Guatemala City, and you leave with printed recipes to recreate the dishes at home.

The experience

You start with pickup from your Guatemala City hotel, then travel to Antigua for a four-hour class built around making a real meal. A professional chef walks you through the Spanish and Mayan influences that shape Guatemalan food, starting with the staple ingredients (corn, peppers, beans) that anchor the cuisine. You'll work through tostadas with guacamole and black beans, pepian served over rice, and mole, with the chef offering guidance as you cook.

Once you finish, you eat what you've made. The meal and dessert are part of the class, so you taste the food you prepared rather than watching a demonstration. After lunch, you head back to your hotel with a printed list of recipes, so the dishes you learned stay accessible when you're home.

The class is small enough that the chef can give real feedback, and the kitchen safety overview at the start means you're set up to work safely. Both English and Spanish are spoken, so language isn't a barrier to following along.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Guatemala City.
• professional chef instruction in English or Spanish.
• all cooking equipment.
• the meal and dessert you prepare.
• printed recipes for the three dishes.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 29 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Stroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Guatemalan Adventure

Is this one for you?Book this class if you want to actually cook and eat a real meal in the same afternoon, rather than watch a chef demonstrate. The four-hour time frame fits a morning or early afternoon slot in a Guatemala City stay without eating up a full day.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How does the class work if I've never cooked before?

The chef teaches you step-by-step as you go, starting with an overview of Guatemalan ingredients and techniques before you begin cooking. You're not expected to arrive with any experience. The instruction covers everything you need to make the three dishes.

What exactly do I cook and eat?

You prepare Guatemalan tostadas served with guacamole, tomato sauce and black beans; pepian served with rice; and mole. After cooking, you sit down to eat all three dishes plus dessert as your lunch.

How long is the class, and what time does it run?

The class is four hours total, including travel time from Guatemala City. The itinerary starts with hotel pickup in the morning, so you return to your hotel by early afternoon.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to Antigua?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Guatemala City are included, so you don't need to arrange a separate transfer.

Can I bring the recipes home?

Yes. You receive a printed list of the recipes for all three dishes you prepared, so you can make them again once you're home.