Renowned chef Abel Hernandez has crafted a unique tour of Coyacan in Mexico City, blending culture and culinary specialtiesfor an unforgettable experience.
Coyoacan, filled with colonial heritage, showcases 16th century churches, convents, and homes adorned with colorful facades and traditional plazas.The neighborhood has a rich artistic legacy, once home to prominent figures like Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Visitors can enjoy traditional Mexican dishes, street food, and international cuisine in charming settings.
Our journey begins at a typical Mexican food court where we will initiate our tastings, giving you insight into the local life in Mexico through the vibe and dynamics.
Then, we'll explore a local market, diving into Mexican gastronomy with insights into spices, ingredients, and moles. At Coyoacan's market, we'll indulge in fresh, local tacos and gorditas. Even if Mexican food has hundreds of years of history, there is always the one that created the first taco.
Our tour continues with a visit to the taqueria known for creating the first El Pastor, where we'll savor the authenticity of their kitchen.
Another taqueria waits, where you will be able to enjoy traditional Mexican sweets.
Chef Abel Hernandez has carefully curated an array of options to ensure an exceptional culinary adventure in this vibrant neighborhood. Whether you're sampling historic dishes or contemporary flavors, the selection promises to be impressive.
We first visit the 'Blue House', home to the Frida Kahlo museum, whose bright blue walls house her personal objects evoking the history and intimate world around her. Her artwork is celebrated for its view on feminism and indigenous roots, all of which you will learn about during the tour. Her husband, Diego Rivera, is our subject for the next part of the tour when we head to the Studio museum of Diego Rivera and Frida Kalho, where he lived until his death in 1957. You'll get to know the artist's intimate world viewing his studio collection that mainly revolves around Mexico.
After a morning of culture, we finish the tour by visiting the Saturday Bazaar in San Jacinto Plaza where you can meet the artists and artisans directly. Browse their hand made creations and negotiate with them for unique Mexican souvenirs such as a painting, handicraft, ceramic or textile.
Our tour starts while visiting the most important basilica in Mexico, where you can buy representations of the most significant events of the miracles of the Virgen of Guadalupe, the virgin most worshiped by Catholic believers in all Mexico.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe) is a Roman Catholic church, a basilica, and a national shrine of Mexico, north of Mexico City. The shrine was built near the hill of Tepeyac where Our Lady of Guadalupe is believed to have appeared to Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin. This site is also known as La Villa de Guadalupe or, simply La Villa, because it includes several churches and related buildings.
The present church was constructed on the site of an earlier 16th-century church that was finished in 1709, now the Old Basilica. When that basilica became dangerous due to the sinking of its foundations, a modern structure called the New Basilica was built next to it; the original image of the Virgin of Guadalupe is now housed in this New Basilica.
Built between 1974 and 1976, the new Basilica has a circular floorplan so that the image of the Virgin can be seen from any point within the building. The choir is located between the altar and the churchgoers to indicate that the choir too is part of the group of the faithful. To the sides are the chapels of the Santisimo and of Saint Joseph. It has nine chapels on the upper floor. Under the main floor are the Basilica's crypts, with 15,000 niches and ten chapels. Its seven front doors are carved as an allusion to the seven gates of Celestial Jerusalem referred to by Christ.
On the Sanctuary grounds where the New Basilica is located, there are also many other buildings, including the original chapel on the exact site of the apparitions to Juan Diego (Capilla del Cerrito) and the Old Basilica consecrated in 1709, as well as other chapels where Masses and other sacraments of the Church are celebrated daily.
You will then have time to visit the different points of interest in the Basilica compound such as:
El Baptisterio--The Baptistery Consecrated in 1991
Capilla del Pocito-- The Chapel of the Well built in 1791
Capilla del Cerrito--The Chapel of the Hill or Hill of Tepeyac, where the peasant Juan Diego saw the image of the Virgen of Guadalupe in 1749
Parroquia de los Indios--The Parish of the Indians built in 1649
There will also be time to hear a mass and to make your confession to a priest on duty if you so desire.
For your return, you will gather at the sculpture of Pope John Paul II.
Get a glimpse of local daily life as you walk the streets of Mexico City with your friendly, local guide. Shop for groceries in two off-the-beaten-path street markets, ride public transit and savour traditional street foods like tacos and tamales. Along the way, learn about the history, culture and politics of this great city before finishing with an interactive cooking class with a local family.
Highlights
* Shop for everything from local produce to love potions at two different street markets that are far off the tourist trail
* Learn about the country's political history and how it has shaped modern-day Mexico
* Savour iconic Mexican street foods like tacos, tamales and huaraches, and make your own salsa from scratch
* Visit with a local family and learn about their daily life in Mexico City
* Experience Mexico City like a local by navigating public transit with the help of your guide
On this tour, you will learn about the socio-political history of Mexico, support independent market vendors, and experience real connections by meeting with a local family.
For Mexico City residents, markets offer a one-stop shop for groceries, flowers, household items, prepared foods and even clothing. Being such an important part of daily life, some markets have also become a showcase of politics and culture.
Your first stop on your Mexico City tour is a relatively unknown market that boasts a large art collection depicting the political movement from the first half of the 1900s. Your guide will explain the importance of the murals and bridge the gap between the political movement of that period with what is going on in today's Mexico.
To reach our second market you'll travel the city just like the locals do, by riding the public metro. This market boasts an unmatched selection of flowers - you'll be mesmerised by the variety and by the vendors, who will be all too happy to help you match the perfect bouquet to your eye colour. You'll also find fruits, herbs, meat, fish, pinatas and more, all for sale among the various stalls - no matter what you're shopping for, you're in the right place. And that could even include romance! If you're looking for love, you might even find a love potion available amid all the goods!
Along the way, you'll also get to sample some classic Mexican street foods, such as tacos and tamales, along with a coffee or atole - a traditional warm drink made from masa.
After buying some fresh vegetables (and learning about local farming practices), head over to a local family business, where you'll learn how to prepare your own salsa. Together, you'll wash, cut and grill the ingredients, then smash them in the traditional way, using a molcajete (mortar and pestle). Taste your homemade salsa with a classic huarache.
Important Information
The salsa-making portion of the tour is temporarily unavailable due to renovations at our partner venue. The venue is undergoing upgrades, and we expect the activity to resume in mid-March 2026.
What will be included during this period?
To ensure that guests still receive a full cultural and culinary experience, we have:
* Added extra tastings at additional stops
* Ensured that customers will still learn the cultural background and techniques behind salsa making, even without the hands-on lesson.
Embark on a unique culinary journey with Michelin-starred chef Vicente Torres, who brings 32 years of expertise and a passion for authentic flavours. Chef Vicente, celebrated for his innovative approach to traditional cuisine, has crafted this tour to showcase the rich cultural and culinary heritage of Zocalo, the vibrant heart of Mexico City.
Begin your adventure at iconic local taquerias, savouring a variety of meats and taco styles that define the authentic street food scene. As we navigate the bustling Centro Historico, you'll delve into the rich history and vibrant culture of the area, passing by landmarks like the Templo Mayor, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, and San Ildefonso College, where Frida Kahlo once studied.
Experience the lively atmosphere of Zocalo, with its colonial architecture, street vendors, and performers. Discover the blend of old and new as you explore traditional food markets and modern, trendy taquerias. Chef Vicente's intimate knowledge of Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine will enrich your understanding of the ingredients and techniques that make each dish special.
The tour also includes mezcal tastings, paired with regional sweets featuring homemade cream from local farms, offering a perfect balance of savory and sweet. Chef Vicente's dedication to using the finest local products ensures an unforgettable culinary adventure that stands out from other taco tours.
Join us for a day of history, culture, and exceptional food, and see why this tour, designed by a Michelin-starred chef, is an experience not to be missed.
