Private Colombian Cooking Class and Market Tour In Bogota

Start with a market, end with dinner. This four-hour Bogotá experience pairs a walk through the Perseverancia market square with a private cooking class led by Liz, where you prepare three Colombian dishes and learn methods you can repeat at home. I like the market-to-kitchen format, and I like that you are not simply watching a demonstration.

The other strong point is Liz herself. She is lively, welcoming, and patient, and she explains ingredients and cooking steps while letting you take part. The main consideration is price: at $90 per person, this is not a cheap meal or a quick market stop. You are paying for private instruction, fresh ingredients, food, and several hours of personal attention.

Key points to know before booking

• Perseverancia market comes first: You begin at La Perseverancia Distrital Marketplace, Cra. 5 #40 30 A, Bogotá.
• Three Colombian dishes are prepared: Empanadas and aborrajados have featured in the cooking, with the menu shaped around the available ingredients and your preferences.
• Liz leads the class: Her warm, energetic teaching style gets you involved rather than leaving you on the sidelines.
• The group is private: Only your party takes part, which makes it easier to ask questions and request a vegetarian version of most dishes.
• The class lasts about four hours: The market visit and cooking session are connected, with the activity ending back at the meeting point.
• The price reflects personal attention: $90 per person includes coffee or tea, the guided class, and the market tour, but not private transportation.

Why a market visit makes the cooking class better

A cooking lesson can feel detached from the place that produced the food. This one begins at La Perseverancia Distrital Marketplace, giving you a chance to see the ingredients before they reach the cutting board.

That first stop is more than a shopping errand. You get a view of Colombian food culture through a local market, then learn how those ingredients fit into familiar dishes. The market square gives the class a sense of place that a lesson inside a restaurant kitchen would miss.

You should expect to meet at the marketplace rather than being collected from your hotel. Private transportation is not included, so plan your route in advance. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps, but you still need to get yourself there on time.

The exact market route and shopping list are not specified, so the experience may change slightly with the menu and what is available that day. That is not necessarily a weakness. A market-based class works best when it responds to the ingredients in front of you rather than following a rigid script.

From market square to Liz’s kitchen

After exploring the market, you walk a few blocks to the place where the cooking takes place. That short move from shopping to preparation keeps the afternoon focused and avoids wasting time on a long transfer.

This is where the private format matters. You are not sharing a large demonstration with a crowd. You can ask Liz to explain a technique again, take part in the preparation, and spend more time on the dishes that interest you most.

The cooking is practical. Liz describes the ingredients and the process in detail, then encourages you to work alongside her. You might shape, fill, mix, or fry the food, depending on the menu. The information provided does not promise a printed recipe book, so bring a phone or small notebook if you want to record measurements and steps.

Past menus have included empanadas and aborrajados. Empanadas are a useful dish to learn because they involve several stages, from preparing the filling to handling the dough and forming the finished pieces. Aborrajados offer a different lesson in Colombian cooking, with a sweet plantain base and a preparation style that shows how everyday ingredients can become a substantial snack or side dish.

The menu is not presented as a fixed list in the details available for this experience. One direct account says the participants were able to pick the menu, so you may have some input. It is wise to confirm your preferences when booking, especially if one particular Colombian dish is the reason you want to take the class.

Three dishes, not just a demonstration

The class includes three typical Colombian dishes. That gives you enough variety to learn different ingredients and techniques without turning the session into an exhausting cooking marathon.

I like this balance. One dish alone could feel too brief, while a much longer menu might leave you rushing from one task to the next. Three dishes let you see how a Colombian meal or snack comes together, then sit down and enjoy what you made.

Your role is active. Liz has been praised for allowing participants to take part in every stage, with encouragement and help when needed. You do not need to arrive as an experienced cook. The class is designed around learning, and the private setting means you can work at your own pace more easily than in a large group.

At the same time, the experience may not suit someone who wants a polished restaurant meal with no work involved. You will be handling ingredients and following instructions. The cooking is the point, so your meal comes with a little effort attached.

Liz’s teaching style is a big part of the value

Liz is described as outgoing, enthusiastic, friendly, and relaxed. Those qualities matter in a hands-on class. A teacher can know a recipe well and still make a poor host, but the strongest accounts of this experience point to Liz’s ability to make people feel welcome.

She also helps beyond the food. One account notes that she offered useful suggestions about things to do in Bogotá. That extra local guidance can be helpful, particularly if you are still planning the rest of your time in the city.

The most useful feature of her approach is her willingness to answer questions while you cook. You are not just memorizing a recipe. You can ask why an ingredient is used, how a technique works, or how to repeat the dish at home.

I would still keep your expectations practical. The class promises guidance and recipes you can repeat, but it does not claim to be a professional culinary course. You will leave with a better feel for Colombian food and several dishes to try again, not a formal cooking qualification.

What vegetarian participants should know

Vegetarian travelers are welcome, and a vegetarian version of most dishes is available. This is an important advantage for a private class, since the menu can be adjusted more easily for one group than for a large scheduled session.

Still, most does not mean every dish. If you avoid meat, tell Liz in advance and confirm which three dishes can be prepared for you. The available ingredients and the selected menu may affect the final options.

The market visit should make this adjustment more interesting rather than less. You can see which produce is available, ask about unfamiliar ingredients, and learn how the same cooking style works without meat. The supplied information does not specify vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, or allergy accommodations, so do not assume those needs can be met without checking.

Coffee, tea, and a meal you helped make

Coffee and tea are included. That is a small detail, but it helps the class feel like a relaxed food experience rather than a rushed lesson.

The main reward is the food you prepare. Several dishes are cooked during the session, and the accounts of the experience repeatedly praise the results as delicious. You get the pleasure of eating Colombian food, but also the satisfaction of knowing how it was made.

That distinction is what gives the class lasting value. A restaurant meal disappears when the plate is cleared. A recipe you understand can return to your own kitchen. If you enjoy collecting food memories that are useful as well as tasty, this class gives you something to take home beyond photographs.

There is also room for humor and conversation. The tone is described as easygoing and fun, which should help people who feel nervous about cooking in front of someone else. You will still need to pay attention, but this is not presented as a stern technical lesson.

Is $90 per person a fair price?

At $90 per person, the class costs more than a standard meal in Bogotá. You should not compare it only with the price of an empanada or a market snack. The fee includes a private activity lasting about four hours, a guided market tour, cooking instruction, coffee or tea, and the chance to prepare three dishes with Liz.

The value depends on how you use the time. For a private group that enjoys food, the cost can make sense because you receive direct attention and a more personal menu. You are also paying for the planning, ingredient selection, teaching, and hosting, not just the food itself.

For a solo visitor on a tight budget, the price may feel high. For two friends, a couple, or a family that wants a shared activity, it is easier to justify. The private setup removes the uncertainty of a mixed group and gives you more control over the pace and menu.

The activity receives a 5 out of 5 rating, with 100 percent recommending it. That strong record supports the price, especially since the praise centers on the host, the hands-on cooking, and the quality of the food. Even so, decide based on your interests. If you dislike cooking, you may get better value from a guided food walk or a restaurant meal.

Timing, meeting point, and transportation

The advertised duration is about four hours. That is enough time for the market square visit, the walk to the cooking location, preparation of three dishes, and eating or sampling what you make.

The activity starts and ends at La Perseverancia Distrital Marketplace, at Cra. 5 #40 30 A, Bogotá. Private transportation is not included. You need to arrange your own way to the market and return from the meeting point after the class.

The published opening information lists Monday from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, but this does not fully match the stated four-hour duration. Because of that inconsistency, check the confirmed start time carefully before setting your day around it. Confirmation is received at booking, and the meeting time in that confirmation should be the one you follow.

The activity is booked, on average, 22 days ahead. That suggests you should reserve early if your Bogotá schedule is fixed, especially if you want a particular date or need a vegetarian menu.

A mobile ticket is accepted, which keeps arrival simple. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Those details help with planning, but they do not remove the need to check the exact route and timing yourself.

Who will enjoy this class most?

I would recommend it most strongly to people who want a personal introduction to Colombian food. You do not need to be a serious home cook. The class suits beginners who want encouragement, as well as confident cooks who enjoy learning how another household prepares familiar ingredients.

It is also a good choice for anyone who wants more contact with daily food culture than a restaurant visit provides. The market gives you context, and the kitchen gives you a practical way to understand what you saw.

Families and small private groups may appreciate the format. Only your group participates, so you can ask questions without worrying about holding up strangers. Friends who want an active afternoon will likely get more from this than from a passive tasting.

I would hesitate to recommend it if your schedule is very tight. Four hours is a meaningful part of a day, and the meeting point is not at your hotel. I would also choose another activity if you want an exact, guaranteed menu, since the available information leaves room for menu changes.

Small details that can improve your afternoon

Tell Liz about dietary needs before the class, not when you arrive. Vegetarian options are available for most dishes, but early notice gives the menu a better chance of matching your needs.

Arrive ready to participate. Wear something comfortable for a cooking session, and keep your phone handy if you want to record ingredients or recipe steps. The details do not promise take-home written recipes, so a few notes may prove useful later.

Leave enough space in your schedule around the class. The stated duration is approximate, and the activity involves both a market visit and cooking. Rushing away at the advertised end time could make the afternoon feel less relaxed.

Finally, remember the cancellation rule. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book the Colombian cooking class?

Book it if you want to meet a welcoming local host, see a Bogotá market, and learn food you can try again at home. The best parts are the private format, Liz’s hands-on teaching, and the link between shopping for ingredients and cooking three Colombian dishes.

Skip it if you are seeking the lowest-cost meal, a short activity, or a fixed menu with no kitchen work. At $90 per person, the class earns its price through time, personal attention, and participation. For food lovers, curious beginners, and small groups, that is a fair trade. For everyone else, Bogotá offers cheaper ways to eat well.

FAQ

Where does the Colombian cooking class begin?

The class begins at La Perseverancia Distrital Marketplace, Cra. 5 #40 30 A, Bogotá, Colombia.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at La Perseverancia Distrital Marketplace.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes coffee and/or tea, a guided cooking class, and a tour of the market square.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included, although the meeting point is near public transportation.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Can vegetarians join the cooking class?

Yes. A vegetarian version of most dishes is available. Since the details do not specify every possible dietary restriction, confirm your needs when booking.