Private Colombian Cooking Class and Market Tour In Bogota

Bogota tastes better when you shop first. This private 4-hour experience pairs a market walk at La Perseverancia with a hands-on cooking session led by Liz cocina taller, focused on learning real Colombian flavors you can repeat later.

I love how the market tour gives you a clear sense of what ingredients matter in day-to-day Colombian cooking, and how you see them before you touch a recipe.

My second favorite part is the way the class stays interactive, so you are not just watching. You learn cooking techniques while making 3 typical dishes, with vegetarian versions available for most recipes, and Liz keeps things relaxed while answering your questions. The main drawback to consider is simple: private transportation is not included, so you will need to get yourself to the start point.

Quick highlights

• La Perseverancia market meeting point gives you immediate context for Colombian food shopping
• Liz cocina taller teaches from ingredient to plate, with you doing the work
• 3 Colombian dishes in one session, designed for home-friendly results
• Vegetarian versions are available for most of what you cook
• Coffee and/or tea included, so you are fueled through the class
• Private tour format, only your group participates

La Perseverancia Market Square: where Colombian ingredients make sense

A good Colombian cooking class starts before the stove. Here, you begin at La Perseverancia Distrital Marketplace, at Cra. 5 #40 30 A in Bogotá. That location matters because it is not a staged food hall. You are walking where everyday people shop, and that changes how you understand what you are about to cook.

In the market square, you get a guided look at ingredients you will actually use later. Liz helps you connect names on a recipe card to real things in front of you. Is it a certain cheese? A particular cut of something? A spice mix that smells different from what you might find at home? Those details are the point. When you understand the ingredients, you stop guessing later.

Also, the pace is practical. You do not rush through like you are collecting photos. Instead, you get time to ask questions and learn what to look for. For me, that is one of the biggest values of a market-and-cooking combo, because it turns cooking into a skill, not just a one-time meal.

One more plus: the meeting point is near public transportation, which makes it much easier to build into a Bogotá itinerary without needing a private car.

From market to kitchen: how the 4-hour flow feels

The experience is about 4 hours total, and it runs on Mondays between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM (with the activity window listed across multiple years). Expect a simple rhythm: you meet at the market, take the guided tour, then move a few blocks away to the cooking location to prepare your dishes.

This structure is ideal for short stays. You are not committing to an all-day cooking marathon. You get a concentrated experience with enough time to learn technique, cook, and eat what you made.

Because it is a private tour, your group stays together the whole way. That matters more than it sounds. In a private class, Liz can slow down for questions, adjust explanations to your comfort level, and keep the pace aligned with your group. If you are comfortable in the kitchen, you will be able to participate more. If you are nervous, you still get hands-on guidance.

The class also includes coffee and/or tea. You can expect a nice break in the middle of the work, which helps when you are doing hands-on prep and cooking.

What you cook: three classic Colombian dishes (and how vegetarian fits)

You will learn to cook 3 typical Colombian dishes. In the experiences people highlight most, empanadas and aborrajados show up as key recipes. That makes sense, because both are teachable, comforting classics that show off Colombian flavors without requiring fancy equipment.

Empanadas: technique you can repeat at home

Empanadas are all about structure and heat. You learn how the filling should taste and how the dough needs to behave when it cooks. The payoff is that once you understand the method, you can swap fillings in your own kitchen. That is the kind of learning I like, because it gives you flexibility for next time.

In class, you are not just told what to do. You are guided through steps and encouraged to participate. You get a feel for how the empanada should look as you assemble it, and how it changes as it cooks.

Aborrajados: sweet, savory, and very Colombian

Aborrajados are a great contrast to savory empanadas. They lean into sweet plantain and often pair with cheese flavors. Even if you have eaten them before, cooking them teaches you what makes the texture work, especially when you are frying and want the inside to stay tender while the outside turns golden.

These are the kinds of dishes where small details matter, like ripeness and how you manage heat. In a guided class, you learn those details faster than trying to guess them from a recipe.

The third dish: learn the pattern, not just one recipe

The class centers on three dishes, but what changes is which specific set you cook. The important takeaway for you is that the learning pattern repeats. You will prep ingredients, learn the cooking method, and then eat what you made. Even if your third dish is different from what you hoped for, the real value is that you get a Colombian cooking workflow you can apply again.

Vegetarian options are part of the plan

If you are vegetarian, you do not have to sit out. Vegetarian versions of most dishes are available. In practical terms, that means you can still learn the techniques and get the full market-to-kitchen experience without feeling like your class was reduced.

Why the market walk improves your cooking results

This is not just a sightseeing add-on. The market tour directly affects the quality of what you cook.

First, you learn what each ingredient contributes. Second, you see ingredient forms, not just names. Third, you get advice on what to pick so your dishes taste right. For empanadas and aborrajados, that ingredient awareness is huge, because textures depend on the right components.

I also like the way Liz helps with questions while you are surrounded by food. You get answers in context, like asking why a certain ingredient works better for frying or why one choice changes the final taste.

If you have ever tried to recreate a dish at home and ended up with a totally different result, you already know the problem is usually the ingredients, not your effort. This kind of market support helps you solve that.

The real star: Liz cocina taller and the class vibe

The experience has a clear personality. Liz cocina taller is fun and easygoing, and the teaching style is built around making you comfortable while still being focused. You can tell the goal is not to show off. It is to help you cook Colombian food with confidence.

One of the most praised aspects of this class is how Liz keeps things interactive. You are encouraged to participate, not just stand nearby. You get explanations that connect ingredient choices to cooking outcomes, and you get time to ask questions.

That combination is rare. Some cooking classes are either too casual, with little structure, or too rigid, where you feel like you are performing. This one aims for the sweet spot: guided enough to be helpful, relaxed enough that you enjoy it.

Price and value: is $90 worth it in Bogotá?

At $90.00 per person for about 4 hours, this is not a budget-only activity. But it also is not trying to be. You are paying for a guided market tour plus a private cooking session with direct instruction, and you get coffee and/or tea included.

Here is how I think about value for this kind of experience:

• You get to learn 3 recipes, including popular dishes like empanadas and aborrajados.
• You get market context, which improves how your ingredients choice affects results later.
• You get a private group setting, which usually means more attention than a larger class.
• Vegetarian diners are supported, which reduces the risk of paying for something you cannot fully participate in.

The one cost you should plan around is transportation. Private transportation is not included. That can be an extra expense depending on where you are staying, so check your route ahead of time.

If you like food markets and you want more than a meal, this is strong value. If you just want dinner with minimal effort, you might prefer something else.

Getting there: the practical logistics you should plan for

Your start point is La Perseverancia Distrital Marketplace, Cra. 5 #40 30 A, Bogotá. The activity ends back at the meeting point, which is convenient. You do not have to figure out a second location or worry about being dropped somewhere far from where you started.

Since private transportation is not included, plan how you will arrive using nearby public transportation. The good news is that the meeting area is listed as near public transportation, so it is usually manageable.

Also, check the time carefully. This runs on Mondays in the 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM window, so it can work well as a late afternoon plan.

Bring normal cooking-class basics if you have them. Think comfortable shoes and clothes you do not mind getting a little kitchen splatter. The class includes coffee and/or tea, so it is smart to arrive slightly hydrated.

Who this cooking class suits best

This is a great fit if you want to take home a real skill. If you enjoy markets, you will especially like the way La Perseverancia sets the stage. If you want to cook Colombian food rather than simply eat it, the market-to-kitchen format is exactly the kind of learning you will remember.

It is also a strong option for couples or small groups because it is private, only your group participates. And if you are vegetarian, you have a clear path to fully join the class with vegetarian versions of most dishes.

If you are traveling with kids, the data does not specify age guidance, so you should ask the provider before booking. If you are very short on time, the 4-hour window is still solid, but you will not be getting a full day of instruction.

Should you book Liz cocina taller in Bogotá?

I think you should book this cooking class if you want an experience that goes beyond eating. Starting at La Perseverancia makes the ingredients feel real, and cooking 3 typical dishes gives you enough variety to feel like you learned something meaningful.

Book it especially if you care about practical home cooking, because this class is built around techniques you can repeat. And if you are vegetarian, it is reassuring that vegetarian versions of most dishes are available.

If you are relying on a driver or you hate figuring out transit, the lack of private transportation is your main reason to pause. But if you can handle getting to Cra. 5 #40 30 A, this is a smart, memorable Bogotá plan.

FAQ

How long is the private Colombian cooking class and market tour?

It lasts about 4 hours.

Where does the tour start?

You meet at La Perseverancia Distrital Marketplace, Cra. 5 #40 30 A, Bogotá, Colombia.

What happens during the experience?

You start with a market square tour at La Perseverancia, then you go to the cooking location to prepare 3 typical Colombian dishes.

How many dishes will I cook?

You will cook 3 typical Colombian dishes.

Is the class vegetarian-friendly?

Yes. Vegetarian versions of most of the dishes are available.

What is included in the price?

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

Is private transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, with the cutoff based on local time.