Yucatán, Mexico Culinary Tour

Food Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive at the Cancun airport. Upon arrival transfer by private vehicle and ferry to Isla Mujeres at Isla Retreats. Relax, unpack, and dip in the pool before enjoying appetizers and a welcome drink under the palapa. Enjoy your private villa featuring marble bathroom, king size beds and saltwater pool access, and air conditioning. Located centrally on the island, the villas are close to restaurants and bars, but secluded enough for your retreat.

Day 2

After a delicious breakfast, enjoy time exploring North beach (voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world) or lounging by the pool or exploring the neighborhood. 
After a day of relaxing, we’ll enjoy an evening guided food tour of the island for dinner via golf cart or bike.

Day 3

Be prepared for a cooking class like no other. Chef Arturo Lopez will lead us in learning to cook regional cuisine, elevated to fine dining along with techniques and recipes to prepare the meal yourself at home. This class will take place at our villa so you can attend in your bathing suit! Chef Arturo Lopez has represented the Yucatan and Isla Mujeres at national cooking competitions and festivals. He focuses on using indigenous ingredients and techniques, elevated to fine dining experiences. 

Day 4

Today we explore the Yucatan and the vibrant Mayan culture. We’ll start early with a guided tour of Ek Balam with Mayan guide Mellie Tzip, followed by a refreshing dip in a cenote and a delicious spread of Mayan food. We’ll have a chance to enjoy a little shopping or just relax on the central square in Valladolid before returning to the island.

Day 5

On our last full day we will enjoy lounging and relaxing, or shopping before we indulge in a guided mezcal tasting and cocktail class with award winning mixologist Alan Avalos. This class will take us through Mexico’s indigenous spirits via a meditation, history lesson, preparation methods, a tasting and end with cocktail making. An absolutely incredible experience. We can explore the south point for a final incredible sunset with waves crashing against cliffs and see the ruins of Ixchel or head back to the beach for sunset.

Day 6

Departure Day: After a delicious breakfast and a final dip in the pool or walk to the beach you’ll arrive at the airport via private transport.

**COST: All prices USD/pp. There are currently no options for non-cooking companion.

Small villa double occupancy $2299/pp

Large villa double occupancy $2499/pp

Small villa single occupancy $2499/pp

Large villa single occupancy $2699/pp

Deposits/Payments

Cost: Starting at $2299/pp double occupancy

Deposits/Payments: To hold your spot in the tour a $500 non-refundable deposit is required. This can be paid by check (address below) or Paypal/Venmo (may incur fees). Your final payment is due 60 days before the trip. You will get an email reminder when payment is due. Cancellations prior to 30 days before the trip are 50% refundable (minus the $500 initial deposit). Cancellations made on or after 30 days prior to the trip are non refundable.
You can also choose to send full payment in advance of the course/tour.

Flexible Booking/Cancellation:A $500 non refundable deposit is required to hold your spot. Your final payment is due 60 days before the tour. The non-refundable deposit can be transferred to another trip if you cancel before 60 days before the tour. After that the deposit is forfeited.

Refunds and adjustments: There will be no refunds or adjustments for unused portion of the tour.

Mail your deposit and fill out the submission form below to hold your spot. Send deposit to 2521 Hoard Street, Madison, WI 53704. Make check payable to Otehlia Travels. Please fill out booking form even if mailing in deposit. Paypal transfer accepted.

Tour Policies and Procedures incl. Covid updates

Covid Protocol and Safety Measures:

We will adhere to local mask mandates and safety protocol.

If you test positive and must quarantine, you will be fully responsible for any fees associated with your stay including but not limited to health care costs and lodging. By joining the tour each participant voluntarily agrees to assume all of the foregoing risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury (including, but not limited to personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability or expense of any kind that they may experience or incur in connection with their Madison Eats Food Tours trip and its activities.

Cancellation and Refund: If Otehlia Travels cancels the tour, all fees paid MINUS your $500 deposit (service fee) will  be refunded. We strongly encourage trip insurance in case of unforeseen events that result in the cancellation of your trip.

Travel Insurance: Otehlia Travels requires travel insurance for all travelers with at least basic coverage for trip cancellation, delay or interruption. Two companies that offer insurance that I recommend are AIG or Allianz. You can get a quote from AIG and also Allianz offers it. You definitely need to read the fine print regarding Covid-related coverage. You would purchase your own coverage. There are various levels, but at a baseline, you want trip cancellation or delay, and medical emergency – Once you reach out to a provider, you can see the basic coverage and additions. For travel to Cuba, Cuba requires medical insurance and that is usually included in your ticket purchase (flight). We travel to Cuba under “support for the Cuban people”.

Cancellation and Refund: If Otehlia Travels cancels the tour, all fees paid MINUS your $500 deposit (service fee) will  be refunded. We strongly encourage trip insurance in case of unforeseen events that result in the cancellation of your trip.

A) Minimum Group Size:

Otehlia Travels’ trips are priced based on a minimum group size that varies by trip, making our trips financially viable to operate. Otehlia Travels reserves the right to cancel any trip if the trip does not attract the minimum number of clients required to make the trip financially viable. Otehlia Travels will not, however, cancel a trip due to minimum group size any later than 21 days prior to the commencement of the trip. In the event of cancellation, Otehlia Travels shall not, in any case, be responsible for nonrefundable expenses incurred by the client, including, but not limited to airline cancellation fees or insurance purchases.

Alternatively, clients may choose to pay a small group surcharge that would be assessed to each guest in groups that fall below the minimum group size, which avoids us having to cancel the trip.

B) Force Majeure:

Otehlia Travels reserves the right to cancel a trip at any stage prior to the scheduled departure due to terrorism, natural disasters, political instability or other external events which make it unviable for Otehlia Travels to operate our planned schedule. In such a case, Otehlia Travels will, at its own discretion, refund a portion of the trip price (less incurred costs and the non-refundable deposit), reschedule the tour, or offer an alternative tour. Should the client choose to purchase “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) insurance coverage, and the tour becomes unviable for Otehlia Travels to operate or reschedule, Otehlia Travels will cover the client’s CFAR deductible up to 25% of the price of the tour.

BOOKING AMENDMENTS

If you wish to change your booking in any way, you must contact us as soon as possible and we will accommodate your request to the best of our ability. Surcharges may apply.

SUBSTITUTION OF A CLIENT

If any member of the party is prevented from traveling because of the death, injury or serious illness of the passenger, close relative or friend, redundancy or jury service, it may be possible to transfer the booking to another suitable person (acceptable to Otehlia Travels) provided that written notice is given at least 30 days prior to departure. An administration fee of up to $150 may be imposed by the company to cover non-refundable costs. Airlines may impose 100% cancellation charges and the cost of a new ticket.

Photography release: The tour participants permits Otehlia Travels, LLC to photographs, films, images, text, testimonials of participants for its own commercial use without compensation to participants.

Any dispute related to these terms and conditions or the program itself, directly or indirectly shall be settled solely in the courts of Madison, WI. In such litigation, Wisconsin law will apply.

*Does not include round trip airfare to Cancun, airport taxes, personal expenses, housekeeping and instructor/guide tips, Covid testing fees, travel insurance. Includes meals, alcoholic beverages and excursions as specified in itinerary as well as all tips to staff and guides for included excursions. 

By registering, you agree to our Policies & Procedures including our Waiver & Liability Release policy.