Private Merida: Home Cooking Yucatan Style
Merida, Mexico
Office phone number: +52 01 55 4162 9185
Private Merida: Home Cooking Yucatan Style
Merida, Mexico
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Book this private Merida tour to discover a produce market not many tourists visit, pick up some Spanish (and Mayan) lingo, learn how to cook regional delicacies, and eat dishes made with your own hands — all with your very own private guide leading the way
This tour is priced for a minimum group size of two travellers. A solo traveller may still book this private experience but will be charged the base rate for two travellers.
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Highlights
- Immerse yourself in market life as you explore Merida's less touristy marketplaces
- Indulge in the tastes and flavours of Yucatan
- Shop for locally sourced produce and learn the tricks of the Mexico market trade
- Join a local in their home and taste delicious local dishes made with your own hands
- Work with a chef to whip up treats such as salbutes, panuchos, papadzules, codzitos, lemon soup, and more
Local Impact: How you taking this tour will benefit the local community:
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The home you visit for your cooking class uses the organic waste they get from this tour to make compost.
- Buying products directly from producers in developing countries at a fair price (as you do on this tour) is a more efficient way of promoting sustainable development than traditional charity and aid.
- Your tour also benefits the grandmother of one of the local guides who is the one that gives your cooking class. Her life has improved greatly thanks to this job.
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Schedule details
- Duration: 5-6 hours
- Meeting point:
At the lobby of Caribe Hotel (Calle 59 x 60 in the corner of Hidalgo Park).
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 1.00 PM
- Ending point:
The tour will finish at the family house for the cooking lesson. You will be responsible for your transportation back to Merida, and a taxi is recommended.
Language: English
Inclusions: English Speaking local guide, public transportation, ingredients for all dishes, cooking session at a local family home.
Exclusions: Taxi to return to your hotel. Items of a personal nature, tips / gratuities for your local guide.
Polish up your cooking skills on a private Merida tour that takes you from market to table… literally! We’ll kick off your delicious Mexican food experience by taking you to a market that’s always filled with locals – tourists hardly ever set foot here, giving you authentic local life on this tour right from the get go. Your local guide will explain to you the kind of fruits and vegetables only produced in this region, such as achiote, pepita de calabaza, and chile habanero. We’ll give you the real market experience as we shop for the meal we’re going to prepare. Watch how the locals around you buy food for their own cooking, and learn all about Mexican market customs and culture.
Yucatan cuisine is one of the most varied in Mexico, and the next part of your Merida food tour will give you the chance to cook it, and eat it, of course! While we prepare our food, your host and guide will explain some of the traditions of the locals, the influence of other cultures on the food of Yucatan, and the differences between the Yucatecos and people from other parts of Mexico. Learn some Spanish and Mayan words while the food is being prepared and while you taste the delicious pates of yumminess as they are served. We’ll try dishes like salbutes, panuchos, papadzules or codzitos, and sip on horchataor hibiscus flower tea. With a belly full of delicious, authentic food and drink, we'll say goodbye to new friends and end this mouth-watering Merida experience.
(If you’d prefer to travel as part of a regular group experience, please book our Merida Home Cooking Yucatan Style group tour.)
This tour is priced for a minimum group size of two travellers. A solo traveller may still book this private experience but will be charged the base rate for two travellers.
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Additional information
Inclusions: English Speaking local guide, public transportation, ingredients for all dishes, cooking session at a local family home.
Exclusions: Taxi to return to your hotel. Items of a personal nature, tips / gratuities for your local guide.
Dress standard: Latin Americans can be very conscious of appearance so try to be casual but conservative in your dress. Outside of beach areas halter tops and very short shorts should not be worn. When visiting churches or religious sites shoulders and knees should be covered.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +52 01 55 4162 9185
Email address: info@meridaurbanadventures.com
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