Family owned · Cooking since 2012
Cook with Chef Enrique and his family in their Puerto Vallarta kitchen — market, tortilla factory, salsas, and the meal you eat together. Also in Cabo, San José, Playa and Cancún.
Rated 5 out of 5 5.0 · 4,572 verified reviewsTripadvisor Best of the Best 2026
4,572
verified reviews, Google & Tripadvisor
5.0
average rating across every class
2012
family owned since, in Puerto Vallarta
5
destinations, each with a resident chef
Featured classes
Each class is led by the chef who lives there. Start with the market, cook from scratch, and finish at the table.
Puerto Vallarta
Four hours in Puerto Vallarta with Chef Enrique and his family: a walk through the neighbourhood market, a tortilla factory stop, then a hands-on class in their own home kitchen and the meal you cooked together.
FromMX$2,200per person
Cabo San Lucas
Half a day with Chef Issi and the Radilla family in Cabo San Lucas: the local market, a tortilla factory for fresh masa, then salsas and regional dishes in their professional kitchen, eaten together with margaritas.
FromMX$2,200per person
San José del Cabo
A half-day in San José del Cabo with Chef Francisco Morales: the produce market local families use, a tortilla factory for fresh dough, then a hands-on class and Mexican feast in his kitchen.
FromMX$2,200per person
Playa del Carmen & Cancún
Three hours in Chef Alma Gonzalez's Playa del Carmen kitchen, cooking her family's home recipes from scratch — tortillas, salsas, sides and a different main every class day — then eating together.
FromMX$1,900per person
How a class works
Most Cookin' Vallarta classes follow the same rhythm, because it is how a Mexican family actually cooks: you shop for the food before you cook it.
Your chef walks you through a working neighbourhood market, explaining the chiles, fruits and cuts of meat and what each one does in a dish.
Tortillas pressed by hand, salsas built in the molcajete, a main course cooked with you rather than in front of you.
You sit down to the meal you made, with margaritas, aguas frescas or a tequila tasting, depending on the destination.
The chefs
Cookin' Vallarta began with one kitchen in Puerto Vallarta in 2012. In 2015 the family expanded across Mexico, and each destination is now run by a resident chef who grew up cooking this food.
This week's menu
The menu changes with the day, because the market changes with the day. Here is what Chef Enrique is cooking this week — every class also covers tortillas, two salsas, guacamole and a side dish.
Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free menus are prepared on any day. Just tell us when you book.
Reviews
Every class is rated 5.0 across 4,572 verified reviews on Google and Tripadvisor. These are unedited guest reviews.
“Chef Enrique provided an exceptional tour and cooking class. He started with a market tour that included a detailed history of the tortilla. He then took us to his home where we proceeded to make a three course dinner. He was personable, funny, and very informative. A definite highlight of our trip.”
“What a great time. Best cooking class we've experienced. Chef Issi was amazing. If you are in Cabo, this is a must do!”
“An absolute highlight of our trip to Playa del Carmen. Alma was incredibly warm, welcoming, and engaging, and she created such a fun, relaxed atmosphere that we immediately felt at home. We laughed, connected, learned about the history and culture of the region.”
Where we cook
Private groups
Bachelorette weekends, family reunions, birthday dinners and corporate retreats. Choose a private market tour and class, a class cooked in your villa, or a chef's table dinner — for 4 guests or 200.
Good to know
Cookin' Vallarta runs hands-on classes in five destinations: Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, Playa del Carmen and Cancún. Classes are held in the chefs' own homes or in dedicated culinary spaces, and the exact meeting point is sent with your booking confirmation. In Puerto Vallarta the meeting point is a short walk from the cruise terminal; in Cabo San Lucas it is five minutes from the Marina.
Classes run between 2 and 4.5 hours depending on the experience. The Puerto Vallarta market tour and class with Chef Enrique takes about 4 hours; Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo run 4.5 hours including the market walk; Playa del Carmen is 3 hours and Cancún 3.5 hours.
No. Every class is built for beginners and experienced cooks alike. Chefs demonstrate each step and then cook it with you, from pressing tortillas to building a salsa in the molcajete.
Yes. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and pescatarian menus are prepared at no extra cost — tell us when you book so the shopping list is ready. Our kitchens are not kosher or halal certified.
Public classes are fully refundable when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time, and you can move your date yourself from your booking under "Change booking". Private classes and events require 72 hours' notice for a refund.
There is a central meeting point for most classes, and transport to it is not included. The exception is Puerto Vallarta: when your group books all 8 seats of Chef Enrique's class, complimentary round-trip hotel transport is included. Private villa classes bring the chefs to you instead.
Private classes start at 4 adults in every destination, with villa formats from 6. Email groups@cookinvallarta.com or call +52 322 171 7854 and we will confirm the format, menu and per-person rate for your dates.
Yes, with an adult. Children aged 6 and over can join the Cabo San Lucas and Nuevo Vallarta classes; other destinations welcome all ages with adult supervision.
Every class is taught in English and Spanish.
No. Gratuities are not included in the price; 15% of the per-person rate is the customary amount if you were happy with the experience.
Yes, through our sister company Juan More Taco Tours, which runs food-walking tours in Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta. See juanmoretacotours.com.
Cook with us
Pick your destination, pick your day, and cook with the family that lives there. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before every public class.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before · +52 322 171 7854
