Cooking Class. A fun, local & hands on culinary experience
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Cooking Class. A fun, local & hands on culinary experience worth booking?
Cooking Class. A fun, local & hands on culinary experience is a 3-hour experience in Cartagena, Colombia, from $120 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 52 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (5)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $120 per person
Guests are welcomed into a lived-in, family space where cooking is not presented as a performance, but as a tradition passed down through generations. The experience is guided by hosts who are actively involved in commun
What you get
About this experience
Guests are welcomed into a lived-in, family space where cooking is not presented as a performance, but as a tradition passed down through generations. The experience is guided by hosts who are actively involved in community-based tourism and the local real estate ecosystem, offering a rare perspective that blends everyday life, culture and the evolving social fabric of the city. As recipes are prepared, stories naturally unfold: about family heritage, local economy, traditions and how Cartagena lives today beyond what visitors typically see. The menu itself reflects this lineage, from carimañolas and patacones with hogao to coconut rice, fried fish, posta negra and avocado salad, finishing with enyucado — all accompanied by local beverages.
What's included
Included
- Private Cooking Class
- Private, Comfortable Transportation
- All Ingredients and Cooking Tools
- Alcoholic beverages
- Cooking Certificate
Not included
- Gratuities
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- pt, en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 5 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Cartagena Concierge
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Cooking Class. A fun, local & hands on culinary experience. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
One of a kind experience
This experience with Cindy and her husband was one of our most memorable on a vacation. They were so unbelievably hospitable, allowing us into their beautiful skyrise apartment with great views of Cartagena. Cindy and her husband gave us the history behind all the spices and ingredients that we were going to make and then provided both visual and hands on instructions as we made multiple courses of delicious foods. As a Jamaican couple who travel frequently, we are always seeking out the best cuisine and experiences in each country we visit and this is a must stop even if you just have 2 days in Cartagena. Cindy and her husband answered all our questions and had us stuffed to the brim with all kinds of different dishes we had never tried before like carimañolas, enyucado, patacones, and a meat and fish dish that had us dreaming of having more that same night. For anyone looking for an amazing, personal and delicious cooking experience, please book as soon as possible!
Response from the operator: Hola Britnie, Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words. It truly means a lot to us that you chose to share this experience with us during your visit to Cartagena. It was an absolute pleasure welcoming you both into our home and cooking together. We loved sharing a little piece of our culture, our traditional ingredients, and the stories behind the dishes. Knowing that the experience became one of your most memorable moments from the trip makes us very happy. You were wonderful guests, full of curiosity and great energy, and it was a joy to cook and laugh together while preparing dishes like carimañolas, patacones, and enyucado. We are especially honored that, as passionate travelers and food lovers, you enjoyed the flavors of our Caribbean cuisine. Our home will always be open for you whenever you return to Cartagena. Best regards, Cindy Buelvas
via Tripadvisor
Try a different cooking class
Now I want start off saying that the picture was misleading, The food that they really cook is on a whole different booking. I just came back on here to read what I bought and they didn’t give me what I paid for. The food that you do make is very basic and in their country probably only cost about $30. You can’t find half of the seasonings in the United States and one of them you have to grill, how many people do you know that does have a grill handy? It honestly was a waste of my day, I wasn’t impressed and a waste of my money. Other than that, the place was nice and the cooking people are nice.
Response from the operator: Dear. Sabrina, We hope this feedback finds you well. We apologize that you had this experience in our cooking class and we appreciate you taking the time to provide the feedback. We talked to our team and we review the protocol to make sure you have the best experience. During the cooking class, you seem to be happy with the menu and you left a great review on the book but never mention anything about it. After 2 hours we spoke again with you then you mention that you did not like the menu, so we offered you one more cooking class for the next day with a different menu but in the end, you could not assist. We hope you'll visit again and allow us to exceed your expectations. Best regards.
via Viator
Awesome Class & Perfect Evening
I want to thank and commend Cindy and Ian on this excellent cooking class. The food came out amazing and Cindy did an great job teaching every step. Ian was also a great host and ensured you felt comfortable and at home. She allowed me to go hands on which I really appreciated. This class was very much worth my time. I had a lot of fun. Learned a ton, food was delicious, and got to make amazing friends. Highly Recommend!
Response from the operator: Hola Rob, It was our pleasure meeting you and sharing an amazing time. We are glad that you are happy with our assistance and we highly appreciate your kind words on this review which inspires us to keep working and improve our job. We look forward to seeing you again in Cartagena and share some more experiences with you. All the best, Cindy Buelvas City Concierge
via Tripadvisor
Highlight of my trip
What a pleasant surprise! I’m a single guy looking to increase my cooking ability and range. I signed up for this class as something different to do after a day at the mud volcano. This was really the highlight of my trip. I was picked up at the hotel ON.TIME! And was taken to an ultra modern apartment overlooking the beach. It was very clean and met the instructor, Cindy Buelvas of Cartagena Concierge. It was a relaxed, informal time. In the next few hours, I learned to make some Columbia versions of Caribbean food: ceviche, empanadas, yucca cake, coconut rice, fried plantains, red snapper and more. Cindy was well paced for me while I wrote notes and took pictures and video. I also tried my hand at preparation. She’s very adaptable and if you are a more skilled chef than I, she would welcome hands on to whatever degree you’re comfortable. Between things, I stepped out on the balcony and took in the beautiful beach view along with the accompanying breezes. As things cooked we talked and shared information about a range of topics from the difference in avocados to the cultural values between the US and Columbia. She speaks very good English which in comparison to my simple Spanish was totally necessary. My only regret was that I had taken breakfast before the class and couldn’t eat everything as delicious as it was. I did, however, manage to down the Yucca cake and vanilla ice cream. The class totally exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend it for a different taste of Columbia.
Response from the operator: Dear Gary, Thank you for your kind words. We are glad you had an amazing experience with us. It would be a pleasure to have you again in the city and share with you the magic of Cartagena. Best regards, Cindy Buelvas City Concierge
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 52
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Cooking Class. A fun, local & hands on culinary experience: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cartagena.
How much does Cooking Class. A fun, local & hands on culinary experience cost?
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Prices start at $120 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cartagena usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Cooking Class. A fun, local & hands on culinary experience take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cartagena is not rushed.
Is Cooking Class. A fun, local & hands on culinary experience worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cartagena, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Cooking Class. A fun, local & hands on culinary experience?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Cooking Class. A fun, local & hands on culinary experience suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Cooking Class. A fun, local & hands on culinary experience?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cartagena can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cartagena and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Cooking Class. A fun, local & hands on culinary experience start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cartagena within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cartagena?
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On Outty we rank every Cartagena experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Historic Center & Getsemaní Shared Tour in Cartagena, Cartagena VIP Boat Tour: Rosario Islands & Snorkel, Cartagena Antigua & Barrio Getsemani group with audio system. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cartagena?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cartagena?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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