Private Colombian Cooking Class and Market Tour In Bogota

Bogota is a big city, but food can make it feel personal fast. This private cooking class starts at La Perseverancia Distrital Marketplace, where you get a real sense of how Colombian ingredients show up in everyday meals, not just on restaurant menus. Then you head to a kitchen a few blocks away to cook what you just bought, with Liz cocina taller guiding you step by step.

I love the market-to-kitchen flow. You don’t just sit down and get instructions, you learn how to choose ingredients first, which makes the recipes easier to repeat later at home. I also like how Liz runs the class in a relaxed, interactive way, encouraging questions as you work, so you actually understand the cooking methods instead of memorizing steps.

One possible drawback: private transportation is not included. If you do not want to take public transit or a taxi to the meeting point, factor that time and cost into your plan.

Key highlights you will care about

• La Perseverancia meeting point gives you quick context for Colombian shopping and food culture
• Market tour plus cooking means your ingredients come from the same place you learn to use them
• Three typical Colombian dishes with clear techniques you can repeat at home
• Empanadas and aborrajados show up as popular menu items in the class experience
• Vegetarian versions are available for most dishes
• Private, small-group feel since it is only your group participating

La Perseverancia Market Square, where the food story starts

The experience begins at La Perseverancia Distrital Marketplace, right at the market square (Cra. 5 #40 30 A). I like this start because it sets your expectations. You are not wandering randomly. You are getting oriented in a place that locals actually use, so you understand why certain ingredients matter and how people buy them.

At the market, you will get a guided look at the kinds of products Colombian home cooks rely on. That matters because many recipes fail at the home kitchen stage, not because you cannot cook, but because you buy the wrong ingredient, or you cannot tell the difference between close substitutes. Watching the selection process in person makes your later shopping smarter.

This is also one of those activities where you learn more than just food. You get a feel for Bogota’s food rhythm. Where the ingredients come from, how vendors think, and how a cooking lesson ties into real daily life. It helps you leave with practical knowledge, not just a full stomach.

How the market tour improves your cooking results

A market tour is only “nice” if it changes what you do next. Here, it directly feeds the cooking portion. You will visit a market first to gather ingredients, and then you will go to the kitchen to prepare three typical dishes.

That pairing is valuable for three reasons:

1. You see what looks right. Many recipes mention ingredient types, not exact products. At the market, you get visual cues for quality and freshness.
2. You learn what matters. A good guide will point out what to watch for so you can shop with confidence later.
3. You avoid waste. If you pick the wrong item, you end up improvising or using more than you need. Starting with the right ingredients lowers that risk.

In the class, Liz encourages interaction, and that usually means you will ask questions as you cook. When you have already seen the ingredient in context, those questions become easier to answer. The whole thing clicks.

Your kitchen lesson with Liz cocina taller: what happens after the market

After the market orientation, you head to the cooking location a few blocks away. The timing works well for a half-day activity. The total duration is about 4 hours, so you are not waiting around for long stretches, and the structure stays focused.

Once in the kitchen, the class shifts from buying to doing. You will follow guided instruction on techniques and recipes. The goal is that you can make these dishes again at home, not just eat them once in Bogota.

The class includes coffee and/or tea, which is a nice practical touch. It keeps the energy up during chopping, frying, and waiting for things to cook. You can also use it as a chance to ask about ingredient substitutions if you plan to cook outside Colombia later.

The experience is private, so it is only your group. That tends to make the Q and A feel more relaxed because you are not competing for attention with other participants. From what people highlight, Liz’s teaching style feels welcoming and easygoing, with encouragement to participate in the cooking process.

The three Colombian dishes you will learn to make

You will learn to cook three typical Colombian dishes. The exact menu can vary, but two favorites come up again and again: empanadas and aborrajados.

Here is why those dishes are such a useful starting point:

• They teach you how Colombian cooks build flavor through the right mix of filling, texture, and seasoning.
• They show how pastry or fritter-style cooking works in the Colombian home kitchen.
• They give you recognizable results. Even if you are new to cooking, you can tell when your dough, batter, or frying is on track.

Empanadas usually require attention to dough consistency and sealing technique, since a small mistake shows up fast. Aborrajados are similar in the sense that you are working with a batter and frying process, but the flavor profile pushes you to think beyond just frying for crunch. You learn how sweet and savory elements can play together in Colombian cooking.

Because the class is designed around techniques, not just recipes, you should walk away with a feel for what each step is trying to achieve. That is what makes it repeatable at home.

Empanadas and aborrajados: a hands-on way to understand Colombian technique

Let’s talk practical technique. Empanadas are a great way to learn structure. You will understand how dough behaves, how fillings should be portioned, and how to prevent leaks or breakage. Once you know the method, you can adapt fillings based on what you like, because the dough and assembly process becomes familiar.

Aborrajados, on the other hand, teach batter and frying logic. Frying is all about timing and temperature. Too hot, and the outside burns before the inside sets. Too cool, and you get greasiness and weak texture. A guided class helps you avoid those common mistakes because you can correct as you go, and you can ask why you are seeing a certain result.

What people consistently praise is how Liz walks through ingredients and the cooking process in detail, and how she keeps you interactive. That detail matters because it turns the class into a skill-building session. You are not just watching. You are doing.

Vegetarian options that do not feel like an afterthought

If you are vegetarian, you are not left out. The class offers vegetarian versions of most of the dishes. That is a big deal, because cooking classes often only make a token change, like swapping one ingredient while keeping the whole method the same.

Here, the vegetarian focus is built into the offering, so you can expect a menu that works for you. You will still get the market experience and the same core lesson goals: learning techniques and recipes you can repeat at home.

One tip: when you book, think about what vegetarian means for you. Some people are vegetarian in the strict sense, while others are okay with ingredients like eggs or dairy depending on preference. Since the class is private, it is usually easier to request what you need, and it should help your experience feel truly tailored.

Coffee and tea, plus the kind of conversation that helps you cook later

This class includes coffee and/or tea, which is small but smart. You spend time moving through the market, then you cook, then you eat. A warm drink keeps things comfortable, especially if you arrive hungry and the cooking stretches slightly while ingredients cook through.

But the real value is the teaching style. People highlight that Liz is fun, easygoing, and enthusiastic about cooking. That type of energy matters because cooking lessons can otherwise feel stiff. When you feel relaxed, you focus better on technique. You also feel more comfortable asking questions, which is where the learning usually accelerates.

And because the class encourages participation, you are more likely to remember what to do next time. You are building muscle memory and mental cues, not just consuming information.

Price and value: is $90 per person worth it?

At $90 per person for about four hours, this is not a street-food snack. It is a real cooking class with a guided market component and instruction from Liz cocina taller.

So is it good value? I think it is, especially because you get three big things bundled together:

• a market square tour that teaches you how to choose ingredients,
• a guided cooking class where you prepare multiple dishes,
• and coffee and/or tea included.

If you booked just a cooking class somewhere with no market stop, you might still pay a similar amount. The market piece is what makes this feel more complete. It also gives you leverage when you shop at home, which is where the true long-term value comes from.

One more practical note: it is privately run, and only your group participates. That often reduces the awkwardness of learning in a crowded class. You get a better chance at hands-on participation and questions.

Timing, location, and getting there without stress

The activity meets at La Perseverancia Distrital Marketplace at Cra. 5 #40 30 A. It ends back at the meeting point, so you do not need to plan a separate ride from the end location.

The schedule information provided shows Mondays from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The overall date range is listed through June 2026. The duration is approximately 4 hours, so you will want to plan around that whole block, not just the meeting hour.

Private transportation is not included. The good news is that it is near public transportation, so you have options. If you rely on public transit, leave a little buffer so you can arrive calmly and start the market portion feeling on track.

Also, the class uses a mobile ticket, so make sure your phone is charged and you can access it when you arrive.

Who this Bogota cooking class suits best

This is a strong fit if you:

• want to learn repeatable Colombian home cooking, not just taste a meal,
• like hands-on cooking and asking questions,
• enjoy markets and ingredient shopping,
• want a private experience with only your group.

It is also a good choice for food lovers who do not want a long, complicated schedule. Four hours is manageable, and the market-to-kitchen structure keeps momentum.

If you dislike cooking, this might feel like more work than you want. Even then, the market portion can be enjoyable, but the experience is built around learning to cook, and you will likely participate in the process.

Quick FAQ for planning your visit

FAQ

What is the meeting point for this cooking class in Bogotá?

It starts at La Perseverancia Distrital Marketplace at Cra. 5 #40 30 A, Bogotá, Colombia, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The cooking class and market tour run for approximately 4 hours.

What is included in the price?

Included are coffee and/or tea, a guided cooking class, and a market square tour.

Is private transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included, so you will need to arrange your own way to and from the meeting point.

Will there be vegetarian options?

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

How many people are in the group?

It is a private tour/activity. Only your group participates.

Do I get a ticket on my phone?

Yes. It includes a mobile ticket.

What time does it run on Mondays?

The opening hours listed show Monday from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Should you book this private Colombian cooking class?

If you want more than a meal, book it. The market start at La Perseverancia is the kind of step that helps you learn how Colombian cooking really works, because you understand ingredients before you cook them. I especially like the mix of hands-on cooking, Liz’s welcoming teaching style, and the fact that vegetarian versions are available for most dishes.

Skip it only if you strongly prefer not to cook or you cannot manage getting yourself to the meeting point since private transportation is not included. Otherwise, for $90, four hours, and three dishes you can make again at home, it is a practical and genuinely fun way to spend an afternoon in Bogotá.