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Overview

Cooking on the Riviera Maya

Tamales ready for the holidays on a cooking vacation in MexicoMexican 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 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 4 hands-on 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

A delicious feast prepared during one of your cooking classes.Sample week follows. Please note the order of activities is subject to change.

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.

Cooking class in MexicoDay Two

  • Depart by private car to your first cooking class where you will spend a half day learning and cooking. You will start with a traditional breakfast in the middle of the jungle, followed by a tour of the botanic garden. Next, it is time to put on your apron and roll up your sleeves as you join Alejandra or one of her chefs in the kitchen!
  • 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!
  • After your cooking experience, transfer back to hotel.
  • Rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure. (Snacks and a cocktail included, but if you want dinner out it is at your own cost.)
  • Overnight.

Bedroom at the chef's casita in Valladolid.Day Three

  • After breakfast, depart for Valladolid to see the town and visit the local market.
  • Head to the market to select ingredients for your class, then cook a Yucatan feast at the Valladolid cooking school.
  • Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
  • Time at leisure, then enjoy dinner out in Valldolid.
  • Overnight at chef Ale’s boutique casita in rancho Palchalhal in Valladolid.

Swimming at the CenoteDay Four

  • Pick up around 9:30 or 10 and enjoy a tour of the colonial city of Valladolid. See the food market, the downtown, and San Barnardino convent.
  • Next, you will enjoy a special experience: swimming at the beautiful Cenote Zasil Tunich, lunch included.
  • This evening, a video image show at the San Barnardino convent, and drinks at the Calzada de los Frailes.
  • Overnight.

We can also propose an alternate foodie itinerary for this day including a bee sanctuary, street food tours, and agave distillery. 


Day Five

  • Early pick up and visit of the magnificient Chichen Itzá archaeological site, one of the most important ruins in the world, for a guided tour.  Or, you can choose to visit the Yaxunah Ruins and swim in Lol Ha Cenote.
  • Later, enjoy a unique culinary experience in the Yaxunah Mayan community. Interact and cook along with the best traditional Mayan cook in Yucatan. Chef Rosalia Chai 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.
  • Return to your casita or hotel in Puerto Morelos, and enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure, with a light dinner either in town or at your accommodation.
  • Overnight.

Mexican foodDay Six

  • Depart by private car to your last cooking class. After breakfast, another stroll in the garden for ingredients, and then back to the kitchen with chef Ale or one of her chefs!
  • Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
  • Return to the hotel. This evening, enjoy dinner at a posh bar.
  • Overnight.

Beach in Mexico

Day Seven

  • Breakfast.
  • Today is beach day! Enjoy a full day at Isla Mujeres with drinks and snacks provided.
  • Return to the hotel.
  • This evening, dinner on your own in Puerto Morelos.
  • Overnight.

Day Eight

  • Breakfast at your hotel.
  • Transfer to Cancun International Airport by private car.

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.

Delicious Mexican dish


Day Two

  • Depart by private car to your first cooking class where you will spend a half day learning and cooking. You will start with a traditional breakfast in the middle of the jungle, followed by a tour of the botanic garden. Next, it is time to put on your apron and roll up your sleeves as you join Alejandra in the kitchen!
  • 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!
  • After your cooking experience, you will be transferred to your boutique hotel.
  • Rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure.
  • Light dinner at a local restaurant in town.
  • Overnight.

Chef Ale at work


Day Three

  • After breakfast, depart for Valladolid to see the town and visit the local market.
  • In the afternoon, you will enjoy a special experience: swimming at the beautiful Cenote Zasil Tunich. Lunch at the Cenote.
  • Return to your casita or hotel, evening at your leisure.
  • Dinner at a local restaurant.
  • Overnight.

Sunset over the water in Mexico


Day Four

  • Depart by private car to your next cooking class. First breakfast, another stroll in the garden for ingredients, and then back to the kitchen with chef Ale!
  • Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
  • Return to the hotel, and enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure for beach time or explorations on your own.
  • Dinner at a local restaurant.
  • Overnight.

Day Five

  • Breakfast at your hotel.
  • Transfer to Cancun International Airport by private car.

Trip Details

Included in the 7-Night Trip

Accommodations

  • 5 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
  • 5 lunches, drinks included
  • 6 dinners, 2 drinks included

Classes & Instructors

Your 4 hands-on 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

Included in the 4-Night Trip

Accommodations

4 nights accommodation Chef’s private guesthouse “casita” or at the boutique Hacienda Morelos hotel in Puerto Morelos

Food & Beverages

  • Daily breakfast
  • 3 lunches, drinks included
  • 4 dinners, 2 drinks included

Classes & Instructors

Your 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 Hacienda Morelos hotel in Puerto Morelos. The 7-night itinerary also includes 2 nights at the rancho Palchalhal in Valadolid. 

—-

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.

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Or, stay at the Hacienda Morelos. The beachfront hotel is a 3-minute walk from the Puerto Morelos Lighthouse. Its rooms offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and balconies with panoramic sea views. There is a beachfront restaurant featuring a terrace and a poolside bar. 

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In Valladolid (7-night itinerary only), 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).

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Pricing & Tour Dates



Pricing:
(excluding Christmas and New Year's)

7-night Program

US$2900 per person based on double occupancy

  • Add US$500 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)

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

2023-2024
Please inquire for availability for a minimum of 2 people. Cooking classes available Monday through Friday only.


Pricing:
(excluding Christmas and New Year's)

4-night Program

US$1270 per person based on double occupancy

  • Add US$300 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)

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

2023-2024
Please inquiry for available dates for a minimum of 2 people. Cooking classes available Monday through Friday only.

Reviews

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