PRIVATE Market Tour & Cooking Class in Puerto Vallarta with Manu
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 246 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is PRIVATE Market Tour & Cooking Class in Puerto Vallarta with Manu worth booking?
PRIVATE Market Tour & Cooking Class in Puerto Vallarta with Manu is a 3.5-hour experience in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, from $139 per person. It scores 85 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 246 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 85 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (246)
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- From
- $139 per person
Learn to cook with a local chef in Puerto Vallarta during this private culinary experience! Your host for the day is Manu, a professionally trained chef who loves to create innovative, modern fusions of classic Mexican d
What you get
About this experience
Learn to cook with a local chef in Puerto Vallarta during this private culinary experience! Your host for the day is Manu, a professionally trained chef who loves to create innovative, modern fusions of classic Mexican dishes. Manu will take you to the local market and show you his favorite vendors. After doing a bit of shopping you'll return to his home and cook a meal together. Manu will teach you to prepare traditional Mexican dishes with a modern twist, dishes you can replicate in your own kitchen at home. Enjoy the meal together in Manu's home, a small but typical home in central Puerto Vallarta.
What's included
Included
- Fresh ingredients purchased together at the local market
- Private market tour with Chef Manu through Mercado Cinco de Diciembre
- Learn to prepare three traditional Mexican dishes
- Hands-on Mexican cooking class in Manu's home kitchen
- Local beer or wine
- Personalized menu options for vegetarian, meat, seafood, and most dietary preferences
- Homemade lunch or dinner (depending on selected start time)
- Insider tips on selecting authentic Mexican ingredients
What you'll see and do
Puerto Vallarta
Join Chef Manu at Mercado Cinco de Diciembre, a vibrant local market beloved by Puerto Vallarta residents. As you explore the market together, you'll discover the sights, sounds, and flavors of everyday Mexican life while learning how locals shop for the freshest ingredients. Visit colorful fruit and vegetable stalls, a traditional tortillería, butcher shop, and seafood market. Along the way, Manu will share tips for selecting quality ingredients and explain how these fresh local products are used in authentic Mexican cuisine. Together you'll choose the ingredients that you'll later use during your hands-on cooking class.
60 minutes here
Puerto Vallarta
After the market visit, drive together to Manu's welcoming home and cooking studio for a hands-on culinary experience. An internationally trained chef who returned to Puerto Vallarta to celebrate the flavors of his hometown, Manu combines traditional Mexican recipes with techniques learned throughout his culinary career. Working side-by-side with Manu, you'll prepare a three-course Mexican meal using the ingredients you selected at the market. Depending on the season and your preferences, dishes may include fresh catch-of-the-day ceviche, panela enchiladas topped with traditional garnishes, and shrimp, octopus, or mushrooms al ajillo. As you cook, learn authentic techniques, ingredient selection tips, and the stories behind the dishes. Once the meal is complete, sit down together to enjoy the food you've prepared, accompanied by a local beer or wine. Menus can be customized for vegetarian guests and most dietary restrictions with advance notice.
150 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Puerto Vallarta
Meet your host Manuel at the Mercado Cinco de Diciembre (Address: San Salvador 604 in 5 de Diciembre neighborhood.). Exact address can be found in your ticket upon booking confirmation. Your experience ends at your host's home.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Experience ends at your host's home.
Options you can book
Market + cooking + lunch
Market + cooking + dinner
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 14 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Traveling Spoon
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please advise any dietary requirements at the time of booking; Manu is happy to accommodate most preferences, including vegetarian diets.
- Hosted by an internationally trained chef passionate about sharing authentic Mexican cuisine.
- This experience combines a local market visit, hands-on cooking class, and shared meal.
- This experience takes place in a real Puerto Vallarta home, offering an authentic cultural and culinary experience.
- Your experience ends at your host's home.
- Manu has a friendly small dog who can be kept in a separate room upon request.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 246 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
246 verified traveler reviews for PRIVATE Market Tour & Cooking Class in Puerto Vallarta with Manu. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent Market Visit and Cooking Class with Manu!
This was a fantastic experience! Met Manu at a local market to purchase the ingredients for our delicious dinner. Then to Manu's lovely home where Manu made ceviche and sea bass. Manu tailored our dishes to meet the needs of all 4 of us...one doesn't eat cilantro, so he substituted in basil! It was great. The sea bass preparation with black sauce was to die for...honestly the best sea bass I've ever eaten. I would highly recommend this experience and look forward to doing it again in 2027!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that your experience with Manu was such a highlight. Starting at the local market and then heading to his home for a hands-on cooking and dining experience is exactly the kind of immersive journey we love to offer. It’s great to hear how much you enjoyed the ceviche and sea bass, and especially that Manu thoughtfully adapted the dishes to suit everyone’s preferences, those personal touches make all the difference. We’re so glad the meal left such a lasting impression, “best sea bass ever” is high praise! We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Manu, he’ll be delighted. We’d love to welcome you back in 2027 for another memorable experience!
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful trip to the...
Wonderful trip to the local market and then watching chef Manu prepare a wonderful meal in his home. Max the dog stole the show!
via Viator
Cooking with Manu in Puerto Vallarta
My husband and I had a special experience today. We took a private cooking class with Manuel Zuliaga in Puerto Vallarta after reading so many positive reviews on Trip Advisor. He is a trained chef and a good teacher.We met Manu at a Mexican market and discussed options for the class. We decided on a fish dish with a smokey sauce and guacamole. Also we chose a delicious shrimp dish and made salsa verde . At the market Manu was so knowledgeable about some of the peppers and vegetables unfamiliar to us. Back at Manu’s home, we not only enjoyed an outstanding lunch but learned new techniques to use at our home when we recreate this meal. He made the class very fun and relaxing and he is sending me the recipes . We highly recommend this cooking class . You won be disappointed! Pat and Nancy Carroll
via Tripadvisor
Lovely meal and guide!
We had a wonderful day with Manu! We loved going to the market and seeing and learning about all the local produce and seafood. We appreciated being able to choose our two dishes, and that Manu adhered diligently to our allergies. The two dishes Manu made for us were EXCELLENT. Manu was charismatic and welcomed us into his home with his little dog Max. We did think that we would be involved in the actual prep and cooking, but perhaps that was my fault for not reading more of the reviews in advance. Overall, we really enjoyed the afternoon!
via Viator
Great market trip--excellent cooking demonstration--personable guide--terrific dishes!
We both had an excellent time wandering through a local market to select seafood and fresh produce. Manu was extremely knowledgeable about all the local dishes and ingredients; we learned a great deal about peppers, limes, unknown vegetables, and the fresh seafood being packed for shipment out to the restaurants. The actual class at his home was both delightful and educational, and the dishes oh-so-tasty. Learned new techniques, had a great conversation with the very personable guide, and felt we both had a most wonderful experience.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Price range
- $139 to $179
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 86
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 85
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
PRIVATE Market Tour & Cooking Class in Puerto Vallarta with Manu: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Puerto Vallarta.
How much does PRIVATE Market Tour & Cooking Class in Puerto Vallarta with Manu cost?
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Prices start at $139 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Puerto Vallarta usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does PRIVATE Market Tour & Cooking Class in Puerto Vallarta with Manu take?
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Plan for about 3.5 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 Puerto Vallarta is not rushed.
Is PRIVATE Market Tour & Cooking Class in Puerto Vallarta with Manu worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 85 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 246 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Puerto Vallarta, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule PRIVATE Market Tour & Cooking Class in Puerto Vallarta with Manu?
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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 PRIVATE Market Tour & Cooking Class in Puerto Vallarta with Manu suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book PRIVATE Market Tour & Cooking Class in Puerto Vallarta with Manu?
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Around 86 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 Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta and add a light layer if any part of the 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does PRIVATE Market Tour & Cooking Class in Puerto Vallarta with Manu 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 Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta?
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On Outty we rank every Puerto Vallarta experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Winner 2026 Downtown Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours, Signature Taco Tour in PV with Vallarta Eats, Food & Mixology Tour:Tequila,Tacos, Mezcal and Agave Cocktails. 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 Puerto Vallarta?
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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 Puerto Vallarta?
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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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