Merida Shore Excursion- Mexican Cooking Class with Port Transfers

This shore excursion is designed for cruise passengers who dock at Progreso and want to spend the day in a private Yucatecan cooking class with a local host. Your host is Sofia, born in Mérida, who learned to cook from her mother and her grandmother and prepares local Yucatecan and Mayan dishes that reflect the cultural heritage of the peninsula. She enjoys having guests at home and shares her culture through food and conversation.

The experience is hands-on. You roll up your sleeves and help prepare a meal in a local home, using traditional family recipes, and then sit down to eat the home-cooked Yucatecan meal with local beer and dessert. The session is private and personalized, and the class lasts about 240 minutes. The menu may vary with the season, and vegetarian options are available on request.

Port transfers are part of the package. Sofia picks you up at the Auto Progreso shuttle terminal in Progreso and drives you to her home, then drops you back at the terminal at the end. The source gives the home’s location in two ways, Mérida in the inclusions and Chelem in the meeting point details, and mentions a drive of about 40 minutes. Ask about the exact location and timing when you book.

Getting to the meeting point takes attention. From where the ship docks it is about 3 miles to the terminal building, and all passengers must take the shuttle bus at the pier. Board the white shuttle marked AUTOPROGRESO, which is the only one that goes to the terminal. It makes two stops: do not get off at the market station, but at the Auto Progreso terminal. You then walk through the terminal and exit onto the main street, where Sofia meets you.

To prepare, tell the operator at booking about any allergies, dietary restrictions or cooking preferences. Alcohol is included as local beer or a glass of local alcohol. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and public transportation options are available nearby. If anything goes wrong on the day, contact Sofia directly using the number on your voucher.