Puerto Vallarta · Most popular
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.
About this class
This is the class that started Cookin' Vallarta in 2012, and it is still the one most guests book. You meet Chef Enrique at a busy neighbourhood market in Puerto Vallarta, not a tourist market: the stalls where local families buy their fruit, chiles, meat and seafood that morning. He walks you through the produce, explains what each ingredient does in a dish, and introduces you to the vendors he has known for years.
From the market you stop at a tortilla factory to pick up fresh masa and watch corn become tortillas, then walk to the family home where the cooking happens. Enrique, his wife and his sister run the kitchen together. You will press and cook your own tortillas on the comal, build two salsas and guacamole in a molcajete, prepare one or two side dishes and a main course, and then sit down together at the family table to eat what you made.
The group is small — never more than eight — so there is room to ask why the mole is toasted this way, or how to tell a ripe tomatillo. Classes are taught in English and Spanish, and the whole experience runs about four hours from market to last margarita.
Itinerary
Chef Enrique introduces the stalls, the produce and the vendors behind Puerto Vallarta's everyday cooking.
Watch fresh masa come off the line and take some back to the kitchen.
Tortillas, salsas, guacamole, side dishes and a main course, all from scratch.
Sit down at the family table with margaritas, soft drinks and purified water.
The menu
Included
Good to know
Monday to Friday at 10:00. The class runs about 4 hours.
Puerto Vallarta. The exact meeting point is in your confirmation email, a short walk from the cruise terminal.
The meeting point is walking distance from the cruise ship terminal and the class fits a standard port day.
Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free are accommodated every day. The kitchen is not kosher or halal certified.
MX$2,200 per person, quoted in Mexican pesos.
You can move your date yourself from your booking under "Change booking", subject to availability.
Full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the class.
Not included. When your group books all 8 seats, we include complimentary round-trip transport from your hotel.
Cancel or reschedule within the policy window and you get a full refund. Gratuities are not included; 15% is customary if you enjoyed the class.
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.”
“Always a great experience with Enrique and his family! This is our third time with the company and each is better than the rest.”
“Such a great day, time flew by as we learned lots about Mexican markets, shopping tips, visited a tortillaria and saw the process of turning corn into the staple food used by most Mexican dishes. The cooking experience was hands on and very educational.”
Reviews are published as guests wrote them. 1,168 verified reviews for this experience.
FAQ
The class is a full cultural immersion rather than a demonstration. It starts with a guided tour of a working local market to source fresh, native ingredients, continues at a tortilla factory, and finishes with a hands-on cooking session in Chef Enrique's family home. You cook family recipes passed down through generations, then eat together at the family table.
Yes. You can join a class directly at the chef's home, or book a private class for your group. Email admin@cookinvallarta.com or text +52 322 170 4277 and we will arrange it.
Yes. Classes are built for all skill levels. Chef Enrique and his team guide you step by step, so first-time cooks and experienced home cooks both leave with dishes they can repeat.
Yes. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free menus are prepared on any day. Tell us when you book so the shopping list is ready. The kitchen is not kosher or halal certified.
Yes. The meeting point in Puerto Vallarta is within easy walking distance of the cruise terminal, and the 4-hour duration fits most port-of-call schedules.
Not by default. If your group books all 8 seats of the class, complimentary round-trip transport from your hotel is included.
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Market tour & cooking class with Chef Enrique · 4 hours · from MX$2,200 per person. Small groups, taught in English and Spanish.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before · +52 322 171 7854
