Tulum: Mexican Cooking Class in Local Home & Mezcal Tasting

Summary

Hands-on Mexican cooking in a Tulum home with mezcal and garden

You’ll step into a welcoming Tulum home where you’ll learn Mexican cooking from scratch—pressing tortillas by hand, sipping mezcal, laughing over family recipes. Expect plenty of fresh flavors, shared stories, and a meal in the garden that feels more like visiting friends than taking a class.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the smell—warm masa mixing with something spicy, drifting out from the open kitchen windows. We’d barely set our bags down in this bright Tulum house when our host, Mariana, handed us tiny clay cups of smoky mezcal and grinned like we were old friends. “Sip slow,” she said, showing us how to taste it (I definitely coughed—couldn’t help it). The house itself is tucked behind some wild greenery; you can hear birds and distant music from somewhere down the road. It felt relaxed right away.

I’m not much of a cook back home, but Mariana made everything feel possible. She showed us how to press tortillas from scratch—my first one looked like a map of South America, but she just laughed and pressed another for me. There’s something about working with your hands here: the dough is soft and warm, and you get flour everywhere no matter how careful you are. She told stories about her abuela’s guacamole trick (I’m sworn to secrecy), and the way she talks about chiles makes them sound almost magical. At one point I tried to pronounce “achiote” properly; Mariana raised an eyebrow and tried not to laugh too hard.

We cooked tacos al pastor together—real ones, with pineapple that sizzled on the pan—and there was always someone reaching for more cilantro or passing around bowls of salsa. The kitchen felt crowded in a good way: lots of laughter, bits of Spanish mixed in with English, everyone tasting as we went along. When we finally sat outside under the trees to eat what we’d made (with cold beer or agua fresca), it felt like being at someone’s family table rather than a class. I still think about that creamy tres leches dessert on hot afternoons.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mexican cooking and tasting experience

• Introduction to Mexican ingredients
• Mezcal tasting and learning
• Prepare tortillas and quesadillas from scratch
• Cook traditional Mexican meal
• Enjoy meal with agua fresca or drinks

Top questions

Is transportation included for this Tulum cooking class?

No, transportation is not included; guests make their own way to the local home.

Are all food and drinks provided during the cooking experience?

Yes, all food and drinks—including beer, national wine, mezcal—are included.

Is the class suitable for beginners with little cooking experience?

Yes, beginners are welcome; guidance is provided throughout each step.

What dishes will we prepare during the class?

You’ll make tacos al pastor, guacamole using family secrets, and tres leches jelly dessert.

Are vegetarian options available?

The main menu features pork tacos; vegetarian options aren’t specified in the description.

Is this Mexican cooking class wheelchair accessible?

Yes, both the location and transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

Can children join this Tulum cooking experience?

Yes, infants and small children can attend; prams or strollers are allowed.

Will there be English-speaking guides or hosts?

The host speaks English as well as Spanish during the class.

What’s included

Your day includes all food prepared during the hands-on Mexican cooking class in a local Tulum home—plus mezcal tasting, national wine or beer if you want it—and time spent eating together in a lush garden setting before heading out again whenever you’re ready.