Skip the tourist snacks and cook your way through Bogotá. This private experience pairs a local market walk with hands-on cooking, so you understand what you’re making and why the ingredients matter. I like how it’s built around repeatable recipes you can cook again at home, not just a one-off tasting. You’ll also get a menu that includes favorites like empanadas and aborrajados, with a vegetarian option for most dishes.

One thing to consider: private transportation isn’t included, so you’ll want to plan how you’ll get to La Perseverancia Distrital Marketplace (Cra. 5 #40 30 A). The class is also listed as running Mondays in a specific time window, so check your dates early.

Key things I’d watch for

• La Perseverancia market meeting point: you start right in the La Perseverancia Distrital Marketplace area, then move a few blocks to cook
• You cook 3 typical dishes: empanadas and aborrajados are part of the experience, plus one more dish
• Vegetarian-friendly menu planning: vegetarian versions are available for most dishes
• Hands-on, interactive class style: you’re encouraged to participate, not just watch
• Liz cocina taller is the host: Liz leads the cooking and breaks down ingredients and process clearly

La Perseverancia: where your cooking trip actually starts

Meeting at the La Perseverancia Distrital Marketplace is a big part of why this feels real. You’re not starting in a polished studio kitchen with pre-portioned ingredients. Instead, you begin in the market square, where you get a first look at the day-to-day food choices that shape Colombian cooking.

This is also when you get your bearings fast. Markets can feel like sensory overload, but the guide keeps it practical: what to look for, how ingredients behave, and how certain flavors show up again and again in Colombian dishes. Even if you’ve cooked before, the market portion helps you connect the dots between produce, pantry staples, and the final dish.

Then you walk only a short distance to the kitchen. That matters because you keep the momentum: buy ingredients, then cook them while everything is still fresh and the lesson stays in your hands.

The market square tour: shopping with a food brain

In the market square, the focus is less on shopping as a chore and more on learning how Colombians think about food. You’ll see how ingredients are sold and what looks fresh, and you’ll get guidance on what to choose for the dishes you’re making.

This kind of market walk pays off later in the kitchen. When you understand what you’re buying and why it’s used, you’re far more likely to recreate the dish at home without needing the exact same brand or supplier.

A detail I’d pay attention to: the class includes coffee and/or tea, so you get a small comfort break while you’re learning the ropes. It helps the whole session feel more like a shared meal with instruction and less like an exam.

Cooking class in the kitchen: empanadas and aborrajados hands-on

The heart of the experience is cooking three typical Colombian dishes. Empanadas and aborrajados are specifically part of the class lineup, and the vibe is interactive. You’re not just tasting while the instructor works solo. You’re encouraged to participate, which is where real learning happens.

Liz (from Liz cocina taller) is the host, and the teaching style in the class is friendly and practical. She explains ingredients and the cooking process in a way that makes you feel confident enough to move your hands, not just take notes. If you’re the type who asks lots of questions, you’re in the right place—questions are part of the flow.

Empanadas: learning the building blocks

Empanadas are one of those dishes that can seem simple until you try to make them. In this class, you get the step-by-step approach for what makes the dough and filling work together. What I like about this lesson is the emphasis on process. That’s what lets you repeat the recipe at home instead of just copying a final outcome.

Aborrajados: the flavor comes from technique

Aborrajados (often made with plantain and typically served sweet or with syrupy elements depending on preparation) are a great choice because they teach you something different from empanadas. You learn how to handle the main ingredient and how the cooking changes texture and flavor. It’s the kind of dish that makes you pay attention to timing.

What about the third dish?

The class includes three typical dishes total, but only two are named in the provided information (empanadas and aborrajados). You should expect one more Colombian dish as part of the lesson plan, and you’ll get a menu matched to the group.

One helpful point: Liz may let you have input on what you cook. That means you can steer toward your favorites and get more buy-in from the start.

Vegetarian options: not an afterthought

If you’re vegetarian, you’re not stuck with a sad substitute. The class says vegetarian versions are available for most dishes. That’s important, because it’s easy for cooking classes to treat vegetarian cooking as a workaround.

In practice, this means you should feel comfortable booking even if the dishes sound meat-heavy at first glance. Ask what vegetarian substitutions look like for each dish during the planning stage, and you’ll get a menu that works with your dietary needs.

The hidden value: recipes you can actually repeat

Many food tours are a nice evening out. This one is designed to give you skills. The instruction is focused on cooking techniques and recipes you can repeat at home, and that’s where the value really shows.

Here’s what that looks like in your day:

• You’re guided while you cook, so you understand the “why,” not just the “what.”
• You learn how to work with ingredients you can find in your own grocery store.
• You get a clear sense of the process so you can adjust without ruining the dish.

This matters if you’re traveling with a goal. If you want to come home and recreate a bit of Bogotá in your own kitchen, this format gives you the tools. If you only want to eat, you’ll still enjoy the food, but the best results come from participating.

Price and timing: is $90 per person a good deal?

At $90 per person for about 4 hours, this isn’t the cheapest thing in Bogotá. But it’s also not overpriced for what you get: a private market tour plus guided hands-on cooking, with coffee and/or tea included.

What you’re paying for:

• A guide (Liz cocina taller) who teaches and adapts for your group
• Market guidance so you understand ingredients before cooking
• Instruction for three dishes, with participation encouraged
• A private format, meaning you aren’t sharing attention with strangers

What’s not included:

• Private transportation. You’ll need to get yourself to the meeting point and be back at the end.

The time slot shown is Mondays from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM (based on the listed opening hours), and the activity itself runs about 4 hours. If you’re planning a full itinerary, treat it like a half-day commitment.

My practical take: if you want one great, structured food experience and you like the idea of cooking instead of just eating, $90 can feel like fair value. If you were hoping for a casual snack stop, you may want to look for something less workshop-style.

Logistics that matter (and what you should do)

This activity ends back at the meeting point, so you don’t have to plan a second drop-off. That’s convenient in a city where time can disappear quickly.

A few other practical notes:

• You’ll have a mobile ticket
• Confirmation is received at booking
• Service animals are allowed
• The start point is near public transportation, which helps since transportation isn’t included

If you’re deciding whether to book, factor in your ability to handle the meetup location. The address is: La Perseverancia Distrital Marketplace, Cra. 5 #40 30 A, Bogotá. I’d arrive a bit early so the market walk starts on time.

Who this Bogotá class suits best

This is a strong fit for you if:

• You want a private class where the attention stays on your group
• You enjoy hands-on cooking and want to learn technique
• You’re interested in Colombian food beyond a single dish
• You need vegetarian-friendly options that aren’t an afterthought

It’s also a good choice if you’re traveling with someone who isn’t a super confident cook. The teaching style is described as welcoming and easygoing, and the interactive format helps you feel part of the work.

If you hate being hands-on or you want zero kitchen time, you might find the cooking portion less appealing. But if you’re curious, this is the type of activity that turns curiosity into a real skill.

Should you book Liz cocina taller in Bogotá?

Yes, if your goal is more than eating. I’d book this private Colombian cooking class and market tour if you want to understand ingredients, cook three typical dishes, and take home repeatable recipes. The biggest wins are the market start, the hands-on instruction, and the fact that vegetarian versions are available for most dishes.

The main reason not to book is simple: you’ll need to handle transportation yourself to the meeting point. If you’re set on convenience-only plans, factor that in. Otherwise, this is a smart way to spend a half-day in Bogotá—one that leaves you with food knowledge, not just photos.

FAQ

Where do we meet for the Colombian cooking class and market tour?

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

How long is the experience in Bogotá?

The experience lasts about 4 hours.

What’s 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.

Is the tour private?

Yes. This is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

Can vegetarians join?

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

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