Santo Domingo: Hands On Afro Taino Cooking Class and Dinner

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

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Hear it from our customers

Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
sabina p profile picture
sabina p
5 September 2026
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The Santo Domingo tour was great. Jairo, the driver, is lovely. The trip was super enjoyable and entertaining. He answered all our questions about the sights we were seeing. It was truly a pleasure to have him on the tour. Pablo was also very nice and helpful, providing excellent and comprehensive information.

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Sara R profile picture
Sara R
5 September 2026
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We left very happy and eager to return soon. The tours were excellent, and the WhatsApp service kept us informed about the pickup time at the hotel. They always checked in before and during the tour to make sure we were okay. They were very attentive to the service they provided, and their personalities were very pleasant. 👏👏👏

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collettem212
3 September 2026
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Santo Domingo in One Day Juan Pablo was great very knowledgeable about the history of DR. Had a great time with him and all of his jokes.
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Demerre profile picture
Demerre
31 August 2026
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Excellent small group tour with children: José, a fantastic guide! We took the small group tour with our 3 and 8-year-old children, and it was great. Special mention goes to our guide, José, who was very friendly and helpful throughout the tour. They even had a child seat in the vehicle for our 3-year-old. They first took us to Tres Ojos Park, where we saw the cenotes, and then to the Presidential Palace, although it's a shame that it can only be viewed from the outside through a fence. Afterward, we went down to George Washington Avenue, the so-called Malecón of Santo Domingo, where you can take a picture with the iconic blue heart with the letters SD. Meanwhile, the guide explained things about the city. Then we went to eat at a small but delicious place called Tornasol. The buffet had limited selection, but what they had was very good. Drinks included only water and juice, and for dessert, they served flan. Overall, very good. Afterward, we saw a 4D colonial-style cinema. It's not bad, although the best part is the story they tell, very interesting; the special effects are just okay. From there we went to the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, very beautiful, not the best I've seen, but the oldest in the Americas, and that shows in its charm. Then to the National Pantheon, which was also very good: we saw the wall from which they fired when Drake arrived and where Columbus's brother lived. Finally, we tried mamajuana in the typical shop, designed to make you end up buying something. Although there are souvenir shops in the area that accept cards, this one in particular didn't, which is a shame. They gave us 30 minutes to wander through the streets (all very beautiful, with the charm of Santo Domingo) and we ended up in a chocolate shop to try some chocolate and a chocolate tea that was very good. Luckily, they did accept cards there. Afterwards, back to the hotel. Being a small group in a van, everything went very smoothly. Both the guide and the driver were very friendly. With children, even though it's a long day, it's manageable. At least our group had a fantastic time, even at the cenotes, where you have to climb up and down a lot of stairs. Oh, and the pickup and drop-off service was great! They picked us up at the Barceló Palace Hotel in Bávaro and dropped us off there as well. Everything was very well organized and communicated via WhatsApp. Highly recommended. It exceeded our expectations.

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Safari03311950724
26 August 2026
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Santo Domingo Excellent! José was a very good guide, respectful and friendly.

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Rosely L profile picture
Rosely L
26 August 2026
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Santo Domingo Day Tour The tour was amazing and the our guide Willie was great!! He was fun, knowledgeable and overall made the trip a great experience.
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Cristian P profile picture
Cristian P
25 August 2026
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Great experience and value Booked the private tour option. Jose was super friendly and knowledgeable, an amazing guide overall. Lots of sightseeing and also opportunities to buy souvenirs. Highly recommend!
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Sharmane B profile picture
Sharmane B
22 August 2026
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An Unforgettable Santo Domingo Experience with Xcape Tours Our trip to Santo Domingo was an absolutely exhilarating experience! We booked a small-group tour with Xcape Tours, and from start to finish, everything was superb. Our driver, Miguel, was pleasant, patient, and accommodating to everyone in the group. Upon our arrival, we were warmly welcomed by José, whose knowledge, energy, and enthusiasm made the experience even more memorable. He is truly an excellent tour guide! We had the opportunity to visit some incredible places throughout Santo Domingo, and each stop gave us greater insight into the rich history, culture, and heritage of the Dominican Republic. José did an amazing job bringing the history to life with his knowledge and storytelling, making each location even more meaningful. And the food was absolutely delicious! We had the opportunity to enjoy true Dominican cuisine, and every dish was full of authentic flavors that gave us an even deeper appreciation for the Dominican culture. Our experience with Xcape Tours was exceptional, and we thoroughly enjoyed every moment—from the beautiful sights and fascinating history to the amazing food and wonderful hospitality. Miguel and José truly helped make our trip special. We highly recommend Xcape Tours to anyone looking for an authentic, informative, and unforgettable Dominican experience. We can’t wait to book another adventure with them!
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MMM profile picture
MMM
22 August 2026
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A great day in Santo Domingo . A wonderful experience in the capital. Nacho, the guide, was very funny and friendly.

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L C profile picture
L C
21 August 2026
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Josiah was <strong>fabulous</strong> ! He was very patient and straightforward. He spoke both Spanish and English! I had a great time and learned so much about the Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 and the Colonial Zone.

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