Acapulco Market Tour & Mexican Cooking Class with Chef

Summary

Hands-On Acapulco Food Experience: Market Visit & Cooking

You’ll shop for fresh ingredients at Acapulco’s main market, cook classic Mexican dishes with a local chef, taste mezcal, and enjoy your own creations in good company.

What’s the experience like?

The morning air in Acapulco felt warm and a bit sticky as we met our chef outside the hotel—just eight of us, which made it easy to chat and ask questions. We started at Mercado Central, where the colors hit you first: piles of green limes, chilies in every shade, and the smell of fresh tortillas drifting from a stall nearby. Our guide, Chef Luis, pointed out local herbs I’d never seen before—epazote and hoja santa—and explained how they’re used in classic Mexican recipes. The vendors seemed to know him well; one even handed us a slice of juicy mango to try right there between the stalls.

After picking up our ingredients (and sneaking a few extra tortillas from a tiny factory around the corner), we headed to a small restaurant kitchen tucked away on a quiet street. It wasn’t fancy—just clean counters and big windows that let in the sea breeze. We got right into prepping guacamole and ceviche, learning how to balance lime juice and chili heat just right. Chef Luis showed us how to make coconut shrimp crispy without overcooking them—a trick I’ll use back home for sure. The fish soup simmered while we sipped mezcal and swapped stories with the other travelers. By lunchtime, our table was packed with everything we’d made: smoky grilled fish “a la talla,” crunchy chips, bright salsas. Eating what we cooked together felt like a real accomplishment—and honestly, it tasted better than any restaurant meal I’ve had in town.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cooking Class and Market Tour

• Visit Mercado Central to source ingredients
• Hands-on Mexican cooking class with professional chef
• Cook and enjoy dishes: Guacamole, Ceviche, Fish Soup, Shrimp au Coconut, Pescado "A la Talla"

Top questions

Is this cooking class suitable for beginners?

Absolutely! The chef guides you step by step—even if you’ve never cooked Mexican food before.

Are vegetarian options available?

Let us know ahead of time—we can adjust some recipes or suggest alternatives at the market.

How long does the whole experience last?

The tour and class together usually take about 4-5 hours, including time to eat and relax.

Will someone pick me up from my hotel?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from your hotel or port are included for your convenience.

What’s included

Your day covers hotel pickup/drop-off, all cooking ingredients straight from the market, guidance from a professional chef, bottled water, coffee or tea, mezcal tasting, lunch (everything you cook), plus plenty of food tastings along the way.