- The International Kitchen
- Mexico
- Cooking on the Riviera Maya Culinary Vacation and Beach Retreat
Cooking on the Riviera Maya
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Select Your Trip Details
Cooking on the Riviera Maya
Mexican cuisine is one of the most well-known and complex cuisines in the world, full of rich flavors, abundant fruits and vegetables, and centuries-old traditions. The Riviera Maya is one of the most beautiful areas in Mexico, where you can enjoy the beauty and warm weather of this amazing area. Yours will be an intimate and authentic experience exploring Mexican cuisine and culture. There are also many activities offered nearby: jet skiing, scuba diving/snorkeling, zip-lining, horseback riding, golf, swimming (even with dolphins!), spa services, as well as nearby Mayan ruins to explore. Come learn how to cook authentic Mexican food at Puerto Morelos and Valladolid in a private cooking school with Chef Ale, and rest assured you will be the best Mexican chef in your home at the end of this experience!
Trip Details
Your cooking classes will be with Chef Alejandra or one of her chef collaborators. Chef Ale loves the culture, food, fiestas, holidays, and celebrations of Mexico. She believes she was born in a kitchen because cooking comes naturally for her! Her two grandmothers were amazing cooks who taught her all about Mexican traditions, and she grew up cooking with them and learning about spices, scents, and amazing flavors. She has been a part of every aspect of the the food industry, but after studying the Culianry Arts in Mexico City she decided to teach others the secrets of her native cuisine. Your classes will focus on a variety of authentic Mexican dishes according to the them of the day: such as tamales of the countryside, coastal cuisine, corn masas, the cuisine of central Mexico, Yucatecan recipes, and more. One class will be a special cooking experience with a Mayan cook featuring traditional Mayan recipes.
Itinerary
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Day One
- Arrival at Cancun International Airport.
- Transfer to your boutique hotel by private car.
- In the evening, enjoy a welcome Mexican dinner at a local restaurant with one of the chefs or a local culinary guide.
- Overnight.
Day Two
- Breakfast
- Enjoy a local food tour led by a professional chef, who will take you on a unique culinary journey through the best gastronomy in the area.
- Lunch in town.
- End the evening with a tequila and mezcal tasting while you dine on antojitos at the cooking school. (Antojitos aka ‘appetizers’ included, but if you want dinner out it is at your own cost.)
- Overnight.
Day Three
- Breakfast.
- Enjoy your first cooking class at the culinary school.
- Lunch based on your efforts, a full array of Mexican dishes, beverages included. And don’t forget the famous Mexican “sobremesa,” or after-meal socializing!
- Travel to Valladolid and check into your boutique accommodations.
- Meet with your resident chef for dinner.
- Overnight in chef Ale’s boutique casita in Rancho Palchalhal in Valladolid.
Day Four
- Breakfast.
- Pick up in the morning and enjoy a tour of the colonial city of Valladolid. Learn about the Melipona bee and try the famous smoked meats in the town of Temozon.
- Typical lunch of Mayan food and swimming in a Cenote.
- Join your resident chef for dinner.
- Overnight.
Day Five
- Breakfast
- Enjoy a unique culinary experience in the Yaxunah Mayan community. Interact and cook along with the best traditional Mayan cook in Yucatan. Chef Rosalia Chay and her Mayan family will teach you how to make tortillas, cook in a “pib” (buried oven) and eat in a Traditional Mayan home at this village immersed in the jungle. You will try the best Cochinita Pibil, Tamales Colados and tortillas.
- While the food is in the pib, you will visit the Yaxunah archaeological site of Chichen Itza.
- Return to your casita in Valladolid, and enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure, with a light dinner either in town or at your accommodation.
- Overnight.
Day Six
- Breakfast.
- Meet your chef for a market visit to pick the ingredients for your Mexican cooking class.
- Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
- Afternoon at leisure
- In the evening, you will take a walk to see a video image show at the San Barnardino convent, followed by drinks at the Calzada de los Frailes. You will have a chance to visit the plaza nearby and try local street food such as churros and marquesitas.
- Return to Puerto Morelos, dinner at a local restaurant.
- Overnight.
Day Seven
- Breakfast.
- Today is beach day! Enjoy a full day at Isla Mujeres with drinks and snacks provided at the beach club.
- Return to the Casita.
- This evening, dinner on your own in Puerto Morelos.
- Overnight.
Day Eight
- Breakfast/ Brunch in Puerto Morelos *optional final visit to the Beach club depending on your flight details*
- Transfer to Cancun International Airport by private car.
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Day One
Please note the order of activities is subject to change.
- Arrival at Cancun International Airport.
- Transfer to your boutique hotel by private car.
- In the evening, enjoy a welcome Mexican dinner at a local restaurant with your chef and instructor, Alejandra, or Ale as her friends call her.
- Overnight.
Day Two
- Breakfast
- Enjoy a local food tour led by a professional chef, who will take you on a unique culinary journey through the best gastronomy in the area.
- Lunch in town.
- End the evening with a tequila and mezcal tasting while you dine on antojitos at the cooking school. (Antojitos aka ‘appetizers’ included, but if you want dinner out it is at your own cost.)
- Overnight.
Day Three
- Breakfast.
- Enjoy your first cooking class at the culinary school.
- Lunch based on your efforts, a full array of Mexican dishes, beverages included.
- Travel to Valladolid and check into your boutique accommodations.
- Meet with your resident chef for dinner.
- Overnight in chef Ale’s boutique casita in Rancho Palchalhal in Valladolid.
Day Four
- Breakfast.
- Pick up in the morning and enjoy a tour of the colonial city of Valladolid. Learn about the Melipona bee and try the famous smoked meats in the town of Temozon.
- Typical lunch of Mayan food and swimming in a Cenote.
- Join your resident chef for dinner.
- Overnight.
Day Five
- Breakfast
- Enjoy a unique culinary experience in the Yaxunah Mayan community. Interact and cook along with the best traditional Mayan cook in Yucatan. Chef Rosalia Chay and her Mayan family will teach you how to make tortillas, cook in a “pib” (buried oven) and eat in a Traditional Mayan home at this village immersed in the jungle. You will try the best Cochinita Pibil, Tamales Colados and tortillas.
- While the food is in the pib, you will visit the Yaxunah archaeological site of Chichen Itza.
- Return to your casita in Valladolid, and enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure, with a light dinner either in town or at your accommodation.
- Return to Puerto Morelos for your last night.
Day Six
- Breakfast at your hotel.
- Transfer to Cancun International Airport by private car.
Trip Details
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Included in the 7-Night Trip
Accommodations- 4 nights accommodation at Chef Ale’s Casita or at a hotel in Puerto Morelos
- 3 nights at the rancho Palchalhal in Valladolid
Food & Beverages- Daily breakfast
- 5 lunches
- 6 dinners
Classes & InstructorsYour cooking classes will be with Chef Alejandra or one of her chef collaborators. Chef Ale loves the culture, food, fiestas, holidays, and celebrations of Mexico. She believes she was born in a kitchen because cooking comes naturally for her! Her two grandmothers were amazing cooks who taught her all about Mexican traditions, and she grew up cooking with them and learning about spices, scents, and amazing flavors. She has been a part of every aspect of the the food industry, but after studying the Culianry Arts in Mexico City she decided to teach others the secrets of her native cuisine. Your classes will focus on a variety of authentic Mexican dishes according to the them of the day: such as tamales of the countryside, coastal cuisine, corn masas, the cuisine of central Mexico, Yucatecan recipes, and more. One class will be a special cooking experience with a Mayan cook featuring traditional Mayan recipes.
Excursions- Excursion to Valladolid with stop at Cenote Zasil Tunich
- Tour of Valladolid
- Visit of Chichen Itzá
- Beach day
Transfer Details- Round-trip transfers from Cancun International Airport
Miscellaneous- Entrance tickets to archeological site
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Included in the 5-Night Trip
Accommodations- 3 nights accommodation at Chef Ale’s Casita or at a hotel in Puerto Morelos
- 2 nights at the rancho Palchalhal in Valladolid
Food & Beverages- Daily breakfast
- 4 lunches
- 4 dinners
Classes & InstructorsYour 2 hands-on classes will be with Chef Alejandra or one of her partner chefs. Chef Ale loves the culture, food, fiestas, holidays, and celebrations of Mexico. She believes she was born in a kitchen because cooking comes naturally for her! Her two grandmothers were amazing cooks who taught her all about Mexican traditions, and she grew up cooking with them and learning about spices, scents, and amazing flavors. She has been a part of every aspect of the the food industry, but after studying the Culianry Arts in Mexico City she decided to teach others the secrets of her native cuisine. Your classes will focus on a variety of authentic Mexican dishes according to the them of the day: such as tamales of the countryside, coastal cuisine, corn masas, the cuisine of central Mexico, Yucatecan recipes, and more.
Excursions- Excursion to Valladolid City with market visit and swimming in the Cenote
Transfer Details- Round-trip transfers from Cancun International Airport
Miscellaneous- Entrance tickets to archeological site
Accommodation Information
During your culinary vacation, you will stay at a boutique Chef Alejandra’s boutique Casita or at the boutique hotel in Puerto Morelos, as well as at the rancho Palchalhal in Valadolid.
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In Puerto Morelos, stay at Chef Alejandra’s boutique casita, located at the cooking school. The casita has 2 bedrooms and of course extensive gardens to enjoy. It is located just 7 minutes from Puerto Morelos downtown and its beaches.
Bedroom bedroom at the chef's casita in Puerto Morelos.
In Valladolid, stay at the Chef’s boutique rancho Palchalhal. Your cozy casita includes 2 bedrooms, a bright common area, as well as a terrace with outdoor dining area and splash pool. (Sleeps 2-4 people).
Front of the chef's casita in Valladolid.
Bedroom at the chef's casita in Valladolid.
Patio and splash pool at the chef's casita in Valladolid.
Interior of the chef's casita in Valladolid.
Kitchen at the chef's casita in Valladolid.
Outdoor table at the chef's casita in Valladolid.
Pool at the chef's casita in Valladolid.
Outdoor dining area at the chef's casita in Valladolid.
Entrance to the chef's casita in Valladolid.
Second bedroom at the chef's casita in Valladolid.
Pricing & Dates
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(excluding Christmas and New Year's)
Pricing
See moreUS$2450 per person based on double occupancy
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Please inquire for holiday pricing.
Tour Dates
See more2025
Please inquire for availability for a minimum of 2 people. Cooking classes available Monday through Friday only. -
(excluding Christmas and New Year's)
Pricing
See moreUS$1989 per person based on double occupancy
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Please inquire for holiday pricing.
Tour Dates
See more2025
Please inquiry for available dates for a minimum of 2 people. Cooking classes available Monday through Friday only.
We Can Help Plan It All
Flights, additional nights and tours, Transportation, and Much More…
We might not be able to pack for you, but there are tons of things we can help with to make your vacation that much better.
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