Mexican Cooking Class in Cabo San Lucas: Learn Authentic Recipes

Shop the markets, then cook a full Mexican meal from scratch

A hands-on Mexican cooking class in Cabo San Lucas where you shop local markets with Chef Issi, then prepare authentic home recipes in his family kitchen. The class runs about four and a half hours, includes lunch and drinks, and teaches you to make salsas, tortillas, and the day's main dish—mole poblano on Mondays, tamales on Tuesdays, birria tacos on Wednesdays, and rotating specialties the rest of the week. Children from age 6 are welcome; vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available.

The Experience

Chef Issi meets you at his restaurant in downtown Cabo San Lucas and takes you on foot through the local spice and grocery markets in the neighborhood. You pick the ingredients for the day's recipes while he talks through the food culture, local history and the way people live here. It's not a tour of the markets—it's a shopping trip with someone who knows what matters and why.

Back at Chef Issi's house, you put on an apron and start from scratch. The menu changes by day: Mondays you make mole poblano with more than 25 ingredients; Tuesdays it's tamales with the dough and wrapping; Wednesdays bring beef birria in adobo sauce for tacos; Thursday is Baja-style seafood and paella; Friday is al pastor or carnitas tacos. Every class teaches you to make fresh corn tortillas, salsas and guacamole, and you'll learn the house recipe for margaritas Cabo style. You cook it, you eat it—lunch and drinks are included.

The class works for cruise passengers with a few hours between ship and shore, and for families: children from age 6 can join, though they need to be with an adult. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, let them know when you book and they'll adapt the recipes.

What’s included

• Professional chef instruction.
• lunch with everything you cook.
• beverages including a Cabo-style margarita.
• all ingredients and kitchen tools.
• recipes and techniques for salsas, tortillas, guacamole and the day's main dish.

Good to know

Stroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Juan More Taco Tours

Is this one for you?Book this class if you want to learn recipes you can actually make at home—the hands-on time in the kitchen is what makes that possible, and the market stop first means you understand where the ingredients come from and how to pick them. It works well for cruise passengers with a half-day window and for families with children from age 6.

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Top questions

What do I actually cook in the Mexican cooking class in Cabo San Lucas?

The menu rotates by day of the week. Mondays you make mole poblano from more than 25 ingredients; Tuesdays it's tamales with homemade dough and filling; Wednesdays bring beef birria tacos in adobo sauce; Thursday features Baja-style seafood and paella; Friday is al pastor or carnitas tacos. Every class includes fresh corn tortillas, salsas, guacamole and a Cabo-style margarita.

How long does the cooking class in Cabo San Lucas take?

The class runs about four and a half hours total, starting with the market tour to pick ingredients and ending after you cook and eat lunch together.

Do I need to know how to cook to join the class?

No. The class is designed to be totally interactive and hands-on, teaching you how to make the recipes from scratch. Chef Issi and his family guide you through each step.

Can I bring my children to the cooking class?

Children are welcome from age 6 and must be accompanied by an adult. Younger children can come if held by an adult, and the class can accommodate their dietary needs.

What if I'm vegetarian, vegan or have food allergies?

All cooking classes can easily adapt for vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free diets. Let the operator know your restrictions when you book and they'll adjust the recipes and ingredients.

Is hotel pickup included in the cooking class?

Hotel pickup is not included. You'll meet Chef Issi at his restaurant in downtown Cabo San Lucas; public transportation options are available nearby.