Santo Domingo: Hands On Afro Taino Cooking Class and Dinner

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Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

From: $212.50

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Duration

2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

30 people

Languages

English, Espanol

About this tour

This experience treats Dominican food as living history, not just something to prepare and eat. The stories shared during the activity are backed by documented research rather than presented as folklore or general cultural facts.

It also gives equal importance to the people and traditions that kept this culinary knowledge alive, especially the women who passed it from one generation to the next, often without writing it down.

The result is a different way to discover Dominican culture: through its ingredients, the stories carried by them and the meal everyone shares at the end.

Highlights

Come curious and leave with new flavors, new stories and a deeper connection to Dominican culture.
Join a five-course cooking experience that explores the Indigenous and African influences found throughout Dominican food. The term Afro-Taíno may sound unfamiliar, but many of the ingredients, flavors and traditions are part of everyday Dominican cooking.
You don't need cooking experience or previous knowledge of Afro-Taíno culture. Just come ready to cook, taste something different and learn more about the food and people of the Dominican Republic.
The experience is led by Maribel, a Dominican chef who trained professionally in Imola, Italy, before returning home to cook Dominican food. As you prepare the dishes, you will also hear the stories and history behind the ingredients. This cultural part is shared by anthropologist Giulia or another knowledgeable team member.
Each dish is based on historical and anthropological research, including work by Marcio Veloz Maggiolo, José Juan Arrom, Sidney W. Mintz, Judith Carney and Jessica B. Harris.
After cooking, everyone sits down together to enjoy the five-course meal. This is a shared experience lasting approximately 2–3 hours.

Included/Excluded

Meals:Five-course meal that you help cook and the chef finishes.
Hands-on cooking experience-Take part in preparing the dishes under the guidance of a Dominican Chef.
Cultural narration-Learn about the Indigenous and African influences behind Dominican cooking.
All ingredients and cooking materials.

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities
Parking (paid car park nearby)
Drinks

Durations

0 - 3 hours

Languages

English

Espanol

Destinations

Santo Domingo

Frequently asked questions

Airport transfers are not included in the price of this tour, however you can book for an arrival transfer in advance. In this case a tour operator representative will be at the airport to greet you. To arrange this please contact our customer service team once you have a confirmed booking.

Hotel pick up in Santo Domingo Metro area is not included. Zona Colonial hotels are within 5 min walking distance from the tour meeting point.

Tour's Location

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Why book with us?

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Hear it from our customers

     
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   CGHLee 
 24 September 2026
 
 
  Santo Domingo tour with cenotes
Had a great time with Xcape Tours. Pick up and transfers were easy. Our guide Willy and our driver were so lovely and attentive throughout
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Trail42311360047 
 22 September 2026
 
 
  Awesome experience!
Awesome experience! The price is very reasonable, and the trip was long enough to get a good experience of Santo Domingo. Staff was also very friendly and helpful. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and professional. Highly recommended.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Cristian W 
 21 September 2026
 
 
  A best seller. Excellent value for money.

(Translated by Google, see original)
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Mark 
 19 September 2026
 
 
  A visit to SD is highly recommended! It was an unforgettable day that left nothing to be desired. Jairo, our driver, did not speak English well, and this was clearly communicated to us beforehand. Despite this, he tried to connect with us in a fun and friendly manner. Hector, our multilingual guide, joined us at the first attraction and immediately hit it off. We had specifically chosen the small-group tour, and that was the best choice; it is absolutely worth the extra cost! Hector and Jairo constantly emphasized that it was our day and that we should take it nice and easy. We made several stops around and in Santa Domingo with good explanations, and it was absolutely worth seeing. Lunch was at a lovely little restaurant where we were served a traditional Dominican meal. As a European, that is a large portion, so be sure to leave some room in your stomach because it was very tasty. It is a bit of a drive from Punta Cana, but Jairo took us there and back quickly and safely. If you are in Punta Cana and want to get away from the resort for a bit... Then be sure to visit SD and take the small-group or private tour with this company! Thanks again to Xcape Tours, Jairo, and Hector for the great care and fun day!

(Translated by Google, see original)
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jerone W 
 18 September 2026
 
 
  Trip to DR
Had a great experience the tour guy was excellent. He explained everything to us told us all about the land and things that happen around the town.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Ariadna 
 16 September 2026
 
 
  Highly Recommended! A very good choice, they were always very attentive. We hadn't even arrived in Punta Cana yet and they were already looking for me to offer their services. Bentre (the driver) had an excellent attitude and drove very well, preventing a potentially fatal accident. Our guide, José, was very knowledgeable, patient, and always had a smile. We forgot a cell phone at the end of the tour, and Mike, who was always very helpful, brought it to our hotel. The buffet they provided was delicious. We were very happy and definitely recommend them. We opted for the private tour since we were a large family.

(Translated by Google, see original)
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jackson A 
 14 September 2026
 
 
  Santo Domingo Tour
They led a great tour of Santo Domingo. Willy, our tour guide, was full of energy and made a long day worth the trip. Would highly recommend.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Ariadna 
 14 September 2026
 
 
  Very <strong>satisfied.</strong> Excellent service from Bentre and José Santana, who also has extensive knowledge of the city's history. Bentre's driving skills prevented us from having an accident.

(Translated by Google, see original)
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jaime P 
 9 September 2026
 
 
  Wives wish list
Resort was good place but I don’t think we will be back .
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Montserrat E 
 8 September 2026
 
 
  José is the best. The tour is interesting, and the guide José is extraordinary.

(Translated by Google, see original)
  
 
 
  
 
 
   Tripadvisor rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 296 reviews