PLAYA DEL CARMEN
The Riviera Maya’s best days out.
The 14 most popular workshops around Playa del Carmen. The ones worth booking ahead, with prices, run times and who runs them.
Playa del Carmen Mexican cooking class: learn tortillas, salsa, guacamole, mole, and enchiladas with Chef Alma. Lunch included.
Most Popular“What an amazing experience! Chef Alama was so informative about Playa Car, culture and cooking. I am so glad the my husband and I signed up for this class. Will make homemade tamales, salsa, guacamole and soup back home in Wisconsin! A must thing to do while you are visiting.”
Hands-on Mexican cooking in a chef’s home in Playa del Carmen, choosing 1 or 3 courses, plus a tequila and mezcal tasting.
“Hands on experience with Chef Coty. So much fun to learn about the different peppers and sauces. Coty explains everything as you are cooking this tasty meal. You'll walk away knowing how to utilize these sauces for other dishes. Tortilla soup, Tacos Al Pastor, Sauces and Flan. Amazing flavors! Loved it. I'll be back”
Market tour then a small-group Mexican cooking class in Playa del Carmen: pick one main dish, make salsas, guac, tortillas, and lunch.
“This was an exceptional experience. It was fun, engaging, educational, enlightening, and we couldn’t praise its value enough. From shopping for peppers to practicing charring techniques to enjoying the meal, this was everything we’d hoped for. Absolutely loved it.”
5-course beach dinner in Tulum with cocktail class, wine pairings, tequila/mezcal tastings, and hotel pickup.
“It was nothing exceptional for the price. My friend who was a vegetarian was not happy with her alternative. Beautiful backdrop however and host was gracious and informative.”
3-hour Playa del Carmen home class mixing 4 cocktails and tasting ceviche, tacos, guac and quesadillas, with recipes included.
“Amazing. Vigi was pleasant. Fun. Chill. Lots of fun and interesting stories. You should try this. We learned how to make a couple great dishes and laughed over a delicious dinner”
Step-by-step surf lessons in Playa del Carmen with land practice, small-group coaching, gear included, and smooth waves
“The teacher was amazing and very detailed explanations helped to learn fast. My son loved it it and want to do again and again now!!:)”
Learn 3 Mexican cocktails and 3 appetizers in Playa del Carmen. Small-group, hands-on class with recipes and chef-led instruction.
“Chef Coty is a sweet and wonderful human being with amazing talent. She guided us through preparing. three incredible cocktails and three amazing appetizers. We will definitely return to take a more advanced cooking class. We didn’t want the fun to end..”
Private snorkeling in Tulum cenotes and Yal-ku lagoon from Playa del Carmen. Underground river, open cenote swimming, reef snorkeling.
“We had an incredible experience with Primitive Xpeditions, and the highlight was our tour guide, Danny. He was absolutely outstanding....always on time, extremely knowledgeable, and so friendly that he made the entire adventure enjoyable from start to finish. Danny went out of his way to make sure we were comfortable, engaged, and having fun. His…”
A hands-on Mexican cooking class in Playa del Carmen with 9 recipe favorites, unlimited drinks, small group, and take-home guides.
“We had Chef Lily, she was king and very knowledgeable. She made the experience memorable, and you can tell she loved sharing her culture. We were also able to get many recommendations of where to eat and go in the city.”
Shop at DAC in Playa del Carmen, then cook classic Mexican food with Chef Isa in her home kitchen. Small group, hands-on, 3 hours.
“My family and I were visiting Playa del Carmen and wanted a fun group activity. Isa’s cooking class was the perfect choice. We got to visit a local market and then learn how to make a variety of different dishes - including ceviches, green mole chicken, and even homemade tortillas - in Isa’s beautiful outdoor…”
Hands-on Mexican cooking in Playa del Carmen with Chef Coty, plus tequila vs mezcal tasting and a pepper lesson. 3–5 hours.
“We had a wonderful night at Coty's culinary school. We met new friends and made fabulous cocktails along with simple, fresh and tasty food, all full of all the colours and flavours of Mexico 🇲🇽. Importantly, these are things we can replicate at home too. Coty was a wonderful hostess / teacher who's energy made…”
Private 1-hour salsa or bachata lesson in Playa del Carmen with warm-up vibes, English coaching, and beginner-friendly steps.
“Friendly professional teaching for salsa dance for us complete beginners. Gave us good confidence to practice on our own”
Small-group bike ride to four cenotes, then a hands-on Mayan cooking class for banana-leaf cochinita pibil and tacos.
“Gilmer and Gael were fantastic hosts. They made this actually our favourite activity on our trip. It was personal and the communication throughout was amazing.”
Mix 4 Mexican cocktails and pair them with 4 classic appetizers in Playa del Carmen, guided by a friendly local. 3 hours, $49.
“Leuke en persoonlijke workshop, maar niet helemaal wat we verwachtten. We werden bij een supermarkt afgezet, waar gids Lily ons keurig op tijd opwachtte. Ze nam ons mee naar haar huis voor een privéworkshop – gezellig, maar we dachten dat het in een restaurant en met een groep zou zijn. Qua eten kregen we mango…”
The cenotes, the ruins, the reef — and every road out along the Riviera Maya.
