Pre-Hispanic Cuisine Workshop

A Unique Culinary & Language Experience

Immerse yourself in the rich flavors of ancient Mexico while perfecting your Spanish in beautiful Cuernavaca. This one-of-a-kind program combines intensive Spanish instruction with hands-on pre-Hispanic cooking classes led by a certified chef.

Learn Spanish all day, every day in a fun, natural way as you build fluency while discovering culinary vocabulary and the names of ingredients used in pre-Hispanic cooking. Experience authentic Mexican culture through homestay accommodation with a local family, daily salsa dancing, and unforgettable culinary adventures.

Our Highlight

Cooking classes with a certified chef! Learn to prepare authentic pre-Hispanic dishes using traditional techniques and ingredients, from market to table. Discover the fascinating history of Mexican cuisine while practicing Spanish in a delicious, hands-on environment.

Program Details

Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights

Price: $1,990 USD

Location: Cuernavaca, Mexico

Accommodation: Homestay (private room)

Spanish Classes: 30 hours total

Level: All levels welcome

Meals: All included

Book Now

Package Includes

Airport Transfer

Round-trip private transportation between Mexico City Airport and Cuernavaca

Homestay

Private room with exclusive bathroom in local Mexican host family home

All Meals

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included every day with your host family

Daily Transportation

Transportation to all scheduled outings and activities included

30 Hours of Spanish

Formal Spanish immersion classes for all levels with personalized instruction

Program Materials

Customized program book with culinary vocabulary and cooking terms

Cooking Classes

Hands-on pre-Hispanic cooking sessions with certified chef Margarita

Salsa Dancing

Fun salsa class to unwind and experience Mexican culture through dance

Market Visits

Learn to identify ingredients at local markets with bilingual guidance

Cultural Tours

Guided visits to Palacio de Cortés, Cathedral, Tepoztlán, and more

Lagoon Excursion

Visit to Coatetelco Lagoon with optional boat ride and fresh fish tasting

Spanish All Day

Immersive Spanish practice from breakfast to dinner in natural settings

Not Included

Laundry service
Personal expenses
Flight to/from Mexico City

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Sunday - Arrival & Welcome

Welcome to our "Pre-Hispanic Cuisine" program!

Airport pickup by ASLI is included
Meet your driver at Mexico City's Benito Juárez International Airport arrivals hall
Private transfer to Cuernavaca (approximately 1.5 hours)
Check-in with your host family
Dinner with your hosts and your first evening of Spanish conversation practice to begin the immersion experience

Day 2: Monday - Spanish + Market & Cooking + Salsa

8:00 AM: Breakfast with your Mexican host family
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Spanish class
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Pre-Hispanic Cooking Experience (Market + Hands-On Class)
- Visit the local market to learn to identify and understand the ingredients we'll use
- Inspiring introduction to pre-Hispanic cuisine
- Delicious, hands-on cooking session
5:00 PM: Salsa class — In Mexico, life feels better with salsa. Unwind, release stress, and learn the steps with great music and a fun, supportive vibe

Day 3: Tuesday - Spanish + Culinary Storytelling + Walking Tour

8:00 AM: Breakfast with your Mexican host family
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Spanish class
Midday: Enjoy our homemade esquites while exploring a fascinating late-1800s legend:
- According to the story, Emperor Maximilian and Empress Carlota created a dish known as "Odalisque" after accidentally cooking with corn
- Today, esquites are often described as a mestizo preparation — rooted in native corn and enriched with key ingredients introduced from Spain
2:30 PM: Main meal with your Mexican family
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Walking tour: Palacio de Cortés and the Cathedral
- Guided journey through Diego Rivera's murals, exploring key chapters of Mexican history
- Learn the story of Cuernavaca with plenty of opportunities for Spanish conversation

Day 4: Wednesday - Spanish + Pre-Hispanic Cooking Class

8:00 AM: Breakfast with your Mexican host family
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Spanish class
12:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Pre-Hispanic Cooking Class (hands-on session)
- Explore the origins of spices and the migration of key foods and ingredients
- Learn about fruits and regional staples
- Build your Spanish through useful verbs, culinary expressions, and everyday idioms you'll start using right away

Day 5: Thursday - Intensive Spanish + Tepoztlán (Pueblo Mágico)

8:00 AM: Breakfast with your Mexican host family
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Spanish class (intensive session)
2:00 PM: Visit Tepoztlán - One of Mexico's most charming Pueblos Mágicos, surrounded by dramatic mountains and incredible energy:
- Option to hike up to El Tepozteco, a remarkable Xochimilca pyramid
- Time at the market with plenty of local food to sample
- Walk through colorful streets
6:00 PM: Return to Cuernavaca

Day 6: Friday - Spanish + Coatetelco Lagoon & Regional Cooking

8:00 AM: Breakfast with your Mexican host family
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Spanish class
2:00 PM: Excursion to Coatetelco Lagoon — A small, charming lagoon near the town of Coatetelco:
- Enjoy a peaceful rural atmosphere
- Boat ride (optional)
- Walk along the shore
- Tasting of fresh fish, prepared hands-on with you and guided step-by-step by our pre-Hispanic chef, Margarita