San Jose del Cabo: Cooking Class & Market Tour with Chef

Summary

Shop local markets then cook Mexican classics in a chef’s home kitchen

You’ll wander San Jose del Cabo’s bustling market with Chef Francisco, pick out fresh ingredients together, then head to his home kitchen for hands-on cooking — tortillas, salsas, guacamole, whatever’s on today’s menu. Share laughs over lunch (and maybe tequila) with new friends around the table. You’ll walk away full — not just from the food.

What’s the experience like?

I was already squinting at the piles of chiles when Chef Francisco waved us over — “smell this one,” he said, holding up something deep red and wrinkled. The market in San Jose del Cabo was louder than I expected: kids darting between stalls, someone slicing mangoes nearby, that earthy scent of cilantro everywhere. We picked tomatoes and limes (Francisco squeezed them both right there to check), and I tried to remember the Spanish word for squash but just ended up pointing. No one seemed to mind.

The walk back to Francisco’s house was short but hot — sun bouncing off white walls, the kind that makes you grateful for shade. Inside, his kitchen felt like stepping into someone’s family gathering: bowls everywhere, salsas already simmering. He showed us how to press tortillas by hand (mine came out lopsided; he grinned and said it had “character”). There was a moment when we were mashing avocados and his neighbor popped in just to say hi — she tasted our guacamole and gave a thumbs up, which honestly made me weirdly proud.

Lunch happened around a big table with everyone passing dishes and swapping stories about their favorite food back home. Tequila appeared (not sure who started that), and there was this quiet satisfaction after eating what we’d actually cooked ourselves. I still think about the smoky salsa we made — can’t find that flavor anywhere else. If you’re looking for some polished cooking school vibe, this isn’t it. But if you want real food, real people, and your hands smelling like lime for hours after… well, you get it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Market visit and cooking class

• Shop fresh produce at local market
• Travel to Chef's home
• Learn to make salsas and guacamole
• Prepare handmade tortillas and side dishes
• Cook main Mexican course
• Enjoy tequila tasting and food sampling

Top questions

How long is the San Jose del Cabo cooking class?

The activity includes shopping at the market followed by a cooking class and lunch; exact duration may vary but plan for several hours.

Is lunch included in this San Jose del Cabo cooking tour?

Yes, you eat what you cooked during the class as your lunch.

Are drinks provided during the cooking experience?

Bottled water, soft drinks, and tequila tasting are included.

Where does the cooking class take place?

The class is held in Chef Francisco's own home after shopping at the local market.

What dishes will we cook in this San Jose del Cabo class?

The menu changes daily—think tamales on Monday or tacos on Wednesday—but always includes salsas and guacamole.

Is this a private or group cooking class?

A private class is available on request for groups of six or more at regular price; otherwise it may be shared with others.

Are children or infants allowed on this tour?

Infants are welcome but must sit on an adult's lap during activities.

Is transportation provided to the market or chef's house?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; public transportation options are nearby.

What’s included

Your day includes all ingredients from the local market (which you’ll help choose), bottled water and soft drinks throughout, tequila tasting if you’re up for it, plus hands-on instruction from Chef Francisco in his own kitchen. Lunch is everything you cooked together—tortillas, salsas, guacamole—and yes: seconds are encouraged before heading out again into sunny San Jose del Cabo.