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VIEW PHOTOS
VIEW PHOTOS

Host: Manuel

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

USD
$82-$149 per person

Authentic Mexican Cooking in Puerto Vallarta with a Local Chef

Host offerings
  • House
  • Professional cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Manuel

Manu is a professionally trained chef who specializes in modern twists on classic Mexican cuisine. After working in kitchens across Canada, Spain, and Norway, he returned to Mexico to reconnect with his roots. Now based in Puerto Vallarta, Manu works as a private chef and loves sharing authentic Mexican food and culture with travelers. He welcomes guests to his charming home near the city center, where he teaches hands-on cooking and offers insight into Mexico’s vibrant culinary traditions. Manu can accommodate all dietary needs and is always happy to recommend the best local spots for tacos al pastor, aguachile, pozole, and more. "I love to cook and share my passion for food with others," Manu says, and every guest leaves with both new skills and unforgettable memories.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (2-14 guests) Enjoy an authentic and unforgettable dining experience in Puerto Vallarta at the home of Chef Manu, a professionally trained private chef. Manu creates modern, flavorful dishes that blend traditional Mexican cuisine with global influences from Asia and the Mediterranean. Your personalized Puerto Vallarta dining experience features a curated menu of classic and creative dishes, which may include fresh ceviche, shrimp enchiladas, crispy volcán tacos, chiles rellenos (stuffed chilies), Vallarta-style gorditas (masa pockets stuffed and baked or fried), shrimp aguachile marinated in lime and chili, or tender ribs and chicken in salsa verde. Perfect for couples, families, and food lovers, this intimate home-cooked meal offers more than just delicious food, it’s a chance to connect with a local chef and immerse yourself in Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant food culture.

Cooking experience: (2-14 guests) Join Chef Manu in his cozy Puerto Vallarta home kitchen for an authentic, hands-on Mexican cooking class. In this immersive culinary experience, you’ll learn to prepare three traditional dishes completely from scratch, such as fresh ceviche with the catch of the day, flavorful panela enchiladas, and shrimp, octopus, or mushroom al ajillo. Guided by Manu’s expertise, you’ll discover traditional cooking techniques, local ingredients, and the cultural stories behind each recipe. The cooking portion lasts about an hour, after which you’ll sit down together to enjoy the delicious meal you’ve created. For guests who prefer a meat-based menu, Manu can customize your experience with dishes like tender beef shanks or ribs in salsa verde. Whether you’re a food enthusiast, a home cook, or simply curious about Puerto Vallarta’s rich culinary traditions, this Mexican cooking class is a fun, interactive, and memorable way to experience local culture through food.

Market visit: (1-14 guests) Embark on a guided Puerto Vallarta market tour with Manu at Mercado Cinco de Diciembre, just an 8-minute drive from his home. Immerse yourself in the vibrant sights, sounds, and smells of a traditional Mexican market as you explore fruit and vegetable stalls, a tortilleria (tortilla factory), carnicería (butcher), and pescadería (fish market). Learn how to select the freshest ingredients for your meal. Afterward, return to Manu's home, where you'll use the ingredients you bought at the market to cook an authentic Mexican meal together. This Puerto Vallarta market tour and cooking experience is perfect for travelers seeking an authentic, hands-on cultural experience. Learn about Mexican ingredients, traditional cooking techniques, and savor the vibrant flavors of the region in a local, personalized setting.

Notes:
1. Manuel is happy to prepare a vegetarian menu upon request. Please let him know about any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance when booking your Mexican cooking class in Puerto Vallarta.
2. Guests who select the optional alcohol add-on can enjoy local Mexican beer or white wine with their meal.
3. Manu shares his home with a small, friendly lapdog. If you prefer not to be around pets, simply let him know and he will keep the dog in another room during your experience.

Languages spoken: Spanish, English

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Catch of the day ceviche (mahi mahi or red snapper) or Shrimp or Octopus al ajillo
  • Traditional panela or shrimp enchiladas or Crispy volcan taco or Chiles rellenos
  • Vallarta style gorditas or Shrimp aguachile or Ribs or Chicken in salsa verde
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Manu is very easy going and nice to talk to. We had a fun conversation and he shared a ton of interesting anecdotes to accompany the meal. The dishes had a traditional feel with some modern touches, he is a really fast cook and really neat at that! I truly recommend him as a Traveling Spoon Host.

Ismael, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (229)
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!
- vicki May 16, 2026
Wonderful trip to the local market and then watching chef Manu prepare a wonderful meal in his home. Max the dog stole the show!
- randy May 09, 2026
Client said it was amazing and she would highly recommend it!
- amy April 19, 2026
Manu is a fabulous chef and very knowledgeable about local flavours! We learned so many new shills that I can’t wait to try out when we get home💕. It was especially nice that he had all the recipes sent to us, so that we didn’t have to spend time writing them out. Lots more time to watch and ask questions. Truly a great class🥰
- paris April 08, 2026
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
- pat and Nacy March 09, 2026
Read More

Manuel

$82-$149 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $90 $82
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $107 $99
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $149 $125 $115
Alcohol
 $15 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $90 $82
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $107 $99
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $149 $125 $115
Alcohol
 $15 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-2:00pm 4:00pm-6:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:00am-1:00pm 4:00pm-7:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-1:00pm 2:00pm-6:00pm

Meet Manuel

Manu is a professionally trained chef who specializes in modern twists on classic Mexican cuisine. After working in kitchens across Canada, Spain, and Norway, he returned to Mexico to reconnect with his roots. Now based in Puerto Vallarta, Manu works as a private chef and loves sharing authentic Mexican food and culture with travelers. He welcomes guests to his charming home near the city center, where he teaches hands-on cooking and offers insight into Mexico’s vibrant culinary traditions. Manu can accommodate all dietary needs and is always happy to recommend the best local spots for tacos al pastor, aguachile, pozole, and more. "I love to cook and share my passion for food with others," Manu says, and every guest leaves with both new skills and unforgettable memories.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (2-14 guests) Enjoy an authentic and unforgettable dining experience in Puerto Vallarta at the home of Chef Manu, a professionally trained private chef. Manu creates modern, flavorful dishes that blend traditional Mexican cuisine with global influences from Asia and the Mediterranean. Your personalized Puerto Vallarta dining experience features a curated menu of classic and creative dishes, which may include fresh ceviche, shrimp enchiladas, crispy volcán tacos, chiles rellenos (stuffed chilies), Vallarta-style gorditas (masa pockets stuffed and baked or fried), shrimp aguachile marinated in lime and chili, or tender ribs and chicken in salsa verde. Perfect for couples, families, and food lovers, this intimate home-cooked meal offers more than just delicious food, it’s a chance to connect with a local chef and immerse yourself in Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant food culture.

Cooking experience: (2-14 guests) Join Chef Manu in his cozy Puerto Vallarta home kitchen for an authentic, hands-on Mexican cooking class. In this immersive culinary experience, you’ll learn to prepare three traditional dishes completely from scratch, such as fresh ceviche with the catch of the day, flavorful panela enchiladas, and shrimp, octopus, or mushroom al ajillo. Guided by Manu’s expertise, you’ll discover traditional cooking techniques, local ingredients, and the cultural stories behind each recipe. The cooking portion lasts about an hour, after which you’ll sit down together to enjoy the delicious meal you’ve created. For guests who prefer a meat-based menu, Manu can customize your experience with dishes like tender beef shanks or ribs in salsa verde. Whether you’re a food enthusiast, a home cook, or simply curious about Puerto Vallarta’s rich culinary traditions, this Mexican cooking class is a fun, interactive, and memorable way to experience local culture through food.

Market visit: (1-14 guests) Embark on a guided Puerto Vallarta market tour with Manu at Mercado Cinco de Diciembre, just an 8-minute drive from his home. Immerse yourself in the vibrant sights, sounds, and smells of a traditional Mexican market as you explore fruit and vegetable stalls, a tortilleria (tortilla factory), carnicería (butcher), and pescadería (fish market). Learn how to select the freshest ingredients for your meal. Afterward, return to Manu's home, where you'll use the ingredients you bought at the market to cook an authentic Mexican meal together. This Puerto Vallarta market tour and cooking experience is perfect for travelers seeking an authentic, hands-on cultural experience. Learn about Mexican ingredients, traditional cooking techniques, and savor the vibrant flavors of the region in a local, personalized setting.

Notes:
1. Manuel is happy to prepare a vegetarian menu upon request. Please let him know about any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance when booking your Mexican cooking class in Puerto Vallarta.
2. Guests who select the optional alcohol add-on can enjoy local Mexican beer or white wine with their meal.
3. Manu shares his home with a small, friendly lapdog. If you prefer not to be around pets, simply let him know and he will keep the dog in another room during your experience.

Languages spoken: Spanish, English

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Catch of the day ceviche (mahi mahi or red snapper) or Shrimp or Octopus al ajillo
  • Traditional panela or shrimp enchiladas or Crispy volcan taco or Chiles rellenos
  • Vallarta style gorditas or Shrimp aguachile or Ribs or Chicken in salsa verde
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Manu is very easy going and nice to talk to. We had a fun conversation and he shared a ton of interesting anecdotes to accompany the meal. The dishes had a traditional feel with some modern touches, he is a really fast cook and really neat at that! I truly recommend him as a Traveling Spoon Host.

Ismael, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (229)
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!
- vicki May 16, 2026
Wonderful trip to the local market and then watching chef Manu prepare a wonderful meal in his home. Max the dog stole the show!
- randy May 09, 2026
Client said it was amazing and she would highly recommend it!
- amy April 19, 2026
Manu is a fabulous chef and very knowledgeable about local flavours! We learned so many new shills that I can’t wait to try out when we get home💕. It was especially nice that he had all the recipes sent to us, so that we didn’t have to spend time writing them out. Lots more time to watch and ask questions. Truly a great class🥰
- paris April 08, 2026
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
- pat and Nacy March 09, 2026
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $90 $82
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $107 $99
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $149 $125 $115
Alcohol
 $15 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $90 $82
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $107 $99
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $149 $125 $115
Alcohol
 $15 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-2:00pm 4:00pm-6:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:00am-1:00pm 4:00pm-7:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-1:00pm 2:00pm-6:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 4% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can't make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host's profile doesn't work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host's family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the "Notes" section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.