Genuine Mexican Food Tour: Dive into Taco Culture with Local Experts in Puerto Vallarta

Immerse yourself in the vibrant taco culture of Puerto Vallarta with our Genuine Mexican Food Tour. Visit family-owned hidden food gems and learn about food, history, and cultural do’s and don’ts. Book now!

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Zona Romantica - We’ll visit the less touristy part of the neighborhood to visit family owned food spots, some which have only one item in their menu but cooked to perfection. They may not be too fancy but their food will make you come back.
What's Included
  • Breakfast
What's Not Included
  • Tour leader gratuities. No food orders to go.
Additional Information

We hold the unique distinction of being the sole Food Tour operator in Puerto Vallarta’s Tourism Bureau that is Mexican-owned.
Explore the flavors of local cuisine in intimate family businesses!
Engage with this experience early in your visit, believe us, it will aid in familiarizing you with local culinary arts, culture, and districts.
Tours are…

Location
Lázaro Cárdenas 169
Lázaro Cárdenas
We meet at a popular coffee shop in the Romantic Zone named A Page in The Sun
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(141 Ratings)
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Lori
Nov 10, 2025
This tour was amazing. - Excellent tour highly recommend. Chacha was a great guide and very knowledgeable. She knew so much about the city and the places we ate at were delicious, the food and drinks. Take this tour, it’s by locals, women ran and supports locals.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kay_tentacles
Nov 3, 2025
Exceptional Food Tour with ChaCha & Star - Our group of 12 had an incredible time on this private tour in PV with ChaCha & Star. From start to finish, everything on this tour ran seamlessly. ChaCha was our engaging, knowledgeable guide who seamlessly brought the history and culture of Zona Romántica to us, and Star was our stellar support, running ahead to each stop to make sure everything was ready for us, before we arrived. We really felt like they cared about us and our experience, and we genuinely appreciated the overall community-focus we saw behind everything they did. The food and drinks were the absolute stars of every stop! The places we visited really felt like off-the-beaten-path, hidden gems (with prices that blew our minds). The walk between stops was easy for the wide range of ages in our group, and absolutely necessary with how much food we ate. My husband (the skeptic) even commented how it didn't feel like your typical, pushy/sales-y tour. Our friend even went back to Tacos Los Morenos EVERY SINGLE DAY after! We were afraid he might not make the flight home. Kidding! We highly recommend doing this tour at the start of your trip so you can discover all the best local spots early-on. It was the perfect mix of culture, flavor, and heart that we were looking for. And we will absolutely book with ChaCha & Star of Vallarta Local the next time we’re in Puerto Vallarta!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Adam
Sep 17, 2025
Amazing taco tour with tasty food, great guide Annalo, and fun vibes—highly recommend! - My wife and I had an incredible time on this taco tour! We explored a variety of taco stands we would never have discovered on our own, and every taco was absolutely delicious. Our guide, Annalo, was fantastic—warm, knowledgeable, and full of fascinating insights about the dishes and local history. She made us feel like we were catching up with an old friend. The two other guests on the tour were delightful and added to the great vibe. If you’re a food lover like us, this tour is well worth the price. I’d wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
883tiffanyu
Sep 2, 2025
Best taco tour in Zona Romantica! - My friends and I received a private tour with ChaCha and had a fabulous time. We were able to try tacos from 6 different locations and ended with a paleta. PV is exceptionally touristy so it was so nice to be able to eat food that locals eat, which honestly is above and beyond anything you’d receive in one of the places on the streets near the beach. She also answered a lot of our questions about the culture and had a great sense of humor. A fabulous tortilla :p
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kelseyc3695
Jul 8, 2025
So many delicious tacos! - So glad I took the taco tour! Our tour guide (and also owner of the business) Star went above and beyond to make sure we were well-fed and well-informed. Even though I have some familiarity with Mexican food, I still feel like I learned a lot and would not have tried some of the things I did without her guidance. I also love the commitment to zero waste and that some of the profits from the tour are donated back to the community. I highly recommend it to any foodie visiting Puerto Vallarta!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R7249rlkylev
Jun 7, 2025
"A Flavorful Adventure with Vallarta Local Food Tour!" - What an amazing experience with the Vallarta Local Food Tour! Our guide, ChaCha, was incredible — her energy and enthusiasm were contagious, and you could tell how much she loved sharing Puerto Vallarta’s food culture. We visited several taco stands along the streets and tried a delicious variety of local eats, including fish tacos, quesadillas, carnitas, and tacos de cabeza. Every stop was a treat, and the flavors were incredible! ChaCha also introduced us to different types of agua fresca, which were the perfect refreshment. What really stood out was ChaCha’s deep knowledge of the history of Puerto Vallarta and how these taco stands fit into the local community. We got to explore places we would have never known about on our own, and it truly felt like a behind-the-scenes look at the city’s vibrant food scene. If you’re a food lover or just looking to experience Puerto Vallarta like a local, this tour is a must! Big thanks to ChaCha for making it such a fun and memorable culinary adventure!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rannko
May 18, 2025
Unforgettable Taco Experience - We've taken several food tours in different countries, and this was one of our favorites. Our guide, Cha Cha, was incredible—she shared so much knowledge about Puerto Vallarta, the local businesses we visited, and of course... tacos! We can't recommend Vallarta Local enough!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alisonbk3074bk
May 7, 2025
We loved our Vallarta food tour! - We absolutely loved our experience! Cha Cha was an amazing guide and we learned so much about the area. It was so important to learn about local flavors and to support small. family owned local businesses. The food was fantastic. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeremiahs383
Apr 26, 2025
Can't recommend enough! 👟🌮 - The tacos were amazing, but pairing it with a walking tour led by a wonderful local guide (shout out to Anna Lo!) who shared about the area, PV history, and food culture took it to the next level. It felt great to get more familiar with the area by walking around it, and since they keep the groups small it was really personal. Highly recommend Vallarta Local and would love to do more of their tours in the future!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karley_k
Apr 14, 2025
Puerto Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Local – A Must-Do Experience - If you’re heading to Puerto Vallarta and want to eat like a local, Vallarta Local is the way to do it. This 100% Mexican, family-owned business—run by the incredible Cha-Cha and her wife—offers more than just a food tour. It’s a delicious deep-dive into the heart of the Romantica Zone, packed with culture, flavor, and community. Our tour started bright and early at Carnitas Don Gil, open daily from 8 to noon across from Los Mercados. We kicked things off with a crunchy carnitas taco—but if you want a personal tip, go for the taco dorado de papa con carnitas, sin chili. Pure crispy, savory heaven. Next up was Tacos Mi Esperanza, where we had a grilled steak quesadilla and a juicy, marinated pork taco that came with fresh-squeezed juice. Flavor-packed and satisfying. Then came Tacos de Cabeza Guzmán—a true local experience. These tacos are made from parts of the cow’s head. We went with neck and cheek (so tender!), but adventurous eaters can go for brain and other cuts. At Tacos Chanfay, we were served a crunchy birria taco with a side of rich birria broth—absolutely mind-blowing. A must-try for any taco lover. One of the most unique stops was Tortillería AltaVista, where we got to see firsthand how tortillas are made fresh daily. The smell alone was incredible, and learning the process gave us a new appreciation for every taco we ate after. Our last savory stop was Marisma Seafood for what I can honestly call the best fish taco of my life—a smoked marlin tostada that was bursting with flavor. The marlin was cooked to perfection, and again, all family-run and full of heart. We were too full for dessert, but the final stop is usually La Michoacana, known for its wide variety of popsicles, sorbet, ice cream, and juices. If your stomach allows it, definitely go for it. What makes Vallarta Local stand out isn’t just the amazing food—it’s the connection to the community. Every business they partner with gives back, and Vallarta Local itself supports a local charity monthly. You’re not just eating, you’re contributing. They also offer tequila tastings and photo shoots, so you can make a full experience of it. I highly recommend booking a food tour early in your trip so you know exactly where to go back for seconds (and thirds). Just make sure to come hungry—the amount of food is no joke!
Review provided by Viator
From $55
up to 8 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).