Cozumel: Food Tour with 5 Tastings & Drinks Pickup

Summary

Cozumel street eats handmade empanadas shrimp tacos & sweet breads

You’ll wander Cozumel’s streets tasting handmade empanadas still warm from the pan, shrimp tacos wrapped in soft tortillas, and sweet local pastries—each stop revealing another layer of island life. With a small group and a local guide leading the way (plus drinks included), you’ll feel less like a tourist and more like someone invited in for lunch.

What’s the experience like?

What’s the first thing you taste in Cozumel? For me it was the salty air mixing with fried masa as we waited outside MEGA — not glamorous, but real. Our guide, Luisa, waved us over with that easy smile locals have here. She handed out little cups of agua de jamaica before we even got moving. I’d never tasted hibiscus so cold and sweet; it cut right through the sticky morning heat. There were twelve of us, all a bit shy at first, but Luisa started talking about her abuela’s kitchen and suddenly everyone relaxed. Funny how food stories do that.

The first stop was this family spot tucked behind a paint store — no sign, just the smell of onions sizzling. We watched a woman patting out dough for empanadas by hand. When she handed one over (still almost too hot to hold), I bit in and nearly burned my tongue but didn’t care. The filling was spiced chicken with something tangy I couldn’t place — Luisa said achiote, which I probably pronounced wrong. She laughed and tried to teach me again while the others ordered shrimp tacos at the next stall. The tortillas were softer than any I’ve had back home; you could taste the corn and sea air together somehow.

By stop three I was full but kept eating anyway because each place felt like a different side of Cozumel — noisy cousins arguing in Spanish at one table, an old man quietly dunking his sweet bread in coffee at another. Someone asked if these tours always run this long and Luisa shrugged: “Depends how much you talk.” That made us all laugh and linger longer over pastries dusted with cinnamon sugar. My hands were sticky for hours after but honestly I didn’t mind.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cozumel local food tasting tour

• Meet in front of Office Max
• Visit five selected food hotspots
• Taste handmade empanadas
• Enjoy shrimp tacos
• Sample Mexican pastries
• Drink aguas frescas and local cervezas
• End tour at starting point

Top questions

How long does the Cozumel food tour last?

The food tour lasts about 3 hours from start to finish.

Where does the Cozumel food tour start?

The tour begins in front of Office Max inside MEGA in downtown Cozumel.

Are drinks included on this Cozumel food tour?

Yes, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included during the tour.

How many stops are there on the Cozumel food tour?

You’ll visit five different locations for tastings during the tour.

Is transportation provided between stops?

Yes, transport by air-conditioned minivan is included between stops.

Is this food tour suitable for people with dietary restrictions?

A gluten-free option is available if requested when booking.

What kind of foods will I try on this Cozumel food tour?

You’ll sample dishes like handmade empanadas, shrimp tacos, Mexican pastries, and more.

Is hotel pickup included for this Cozumel food tour?

No hotel pickup; meeting point is downtown at MEGA’s Office Max entrance.

What’s included

Your day includes tastings at five local spots around Cozumel—think fresh empanadas, shrimp tacos straight off the grill, pastries dusted with sugar—plus both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks along the way. All transport between stops is by air-conditioned minivan so you can relax (and eat more) without worrying about getting around yourself.