Mexican Cooking Class Costa Maya: Learn to Cook Tacos al Pastor

Make tacos and tortillas with the Caribbean at your back

A 2-hour hands-on cooking class at Jaguar Cafe on the Mahahual boardwalk teaches you to press tortillas on a traditional comal and master the achiote marinade for pork al pastor tacos, with a drink included. The cafe sits 5 minutes by taxi from the Costa Maya cruise port and doubles as your home base for the afternoon. You get free beach access, secure lockers for your things, and high-speed Wi-Fi so you can swim and shop without returning to the ship. A live guide teaches in English or Spanish. Children from age 6 are welcome, and vegetarian or chicken options are available.

The experience

You arrive at Jaguar Cafe on the downtown Mahahual boardwalk, a short taxi ride from the pier. The class is hands-on from the start: you'll learn the "Golden Rules" of avocado selection and make guacamole and pico de gallo by hand, then move to the comal, a traditional flat griddle, to press and cook tortillas the way a local would. The sizzle of the comal and the smell of the marinade are part of the lesson. Your instructor, a local expert, walks you through the achiote marinade that gives pork al pastor its signature flavor, and you'll cook your own tacos to eat at the end of the class. The whole thing takes about 2 hours, and you choose pork, chicken, or vegetarian.

What makes this different from a standard port excursion is what happens after. You don't rush back to the ship. The cafe has secure lockers, so you can leave your bag and swim in the Caribbean. The water is steps away from your cooking station. There's 150Mbps Wi-Fi if you want to stay connected, and the boardwalk is right there for shopping and walking around. The class is timed so you can arrive early or stay late without missing your ship. A bottled water and one drink from the menu (margarita, daiquiri, piña colada, mocktail, local beer, or soda) are included, and you can add a tequila shot at the end if you want.

The cafe is wheelchair accessible, and you can sit down for the entire class if you prefer. Children from age 6 can join, and the kitchen is happy to work around allergies or dietary preferences. Just let them know when you book.

What’s included

• 2-hour hands-on cooking class with a local instructor.
• instruction in English or Spanish.
• one drink from the menu (margarita, daiquiri, piña colada, mocktail, local beer, or soda).
• pork al pastor tacos with hand-pressed tortillas, guacamole, pico de gallo, and salsas (chicken or vegetarian available).
• bottled water.
• free high-speed Wi-Fi.
• secure lockers for your belongings while you swim or explore the boardwalk.
• free beach access to the Caribbean.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:30 and 13:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 24

Live guideEnglish

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.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Cafe Jaguar Cooking Class Costa Maya

Is this one for you?The guide teaches in English or Spanish, so you can follow comfortably in your language. If you have a short port day and want to learn something real without losing hours to travel and logistics, the 5-minute taxi ride and the cafe's lockers and Wi-Fi mean you can cook, swim, and shop without once returning to the ship.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

How far is Jaguar Cafe from the Costa Maya cruise port?

Jaguar Cafe is on the Mahahual boardwalk, about 5 minutes away by taxi from the Costa Maya port. A taxi costs roughly $5 per person for the 2-mile ride.

What exactly do you learn to make in the cooking class?

You make guacamole and pico de gallo from scratch, hand-press tortillas on a traditional comal, and learn the achiote marinade for pork al pastor tacos. You cook and eat your own tacos at the end of the class.

Can I swim and leave my belongings while I'm at the cafe?

Yes. Jaguar Cafe has secure lockers where you can store your things, and the Caribbean is steps away from the cafe. You can swim before or after the class, or between activities on the boardwalk.

What drink options are included with the class?

One drink is included from the cafe's menu: you can choose a fresh margarita, daiquiri, piña colada, mocktail, local beer, or soda. An optional tequila shot is available at the end of the class.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide teaches in English or Spanish, so you can choose the language that works for you.