Experience a smorgasbord of foodie surprises and cultural delights in Central and South America.

From tacos al pastor to chapulines (grasshoppers) in Mexico, and crispy empanadas to tangy pisco sours in Peru, it’d be hard to find a continent with more fun and flavour packed into it. On our Real Food Adventures, we’ll show you the hidden street food gems, introduce you to passionate chefs, home cooks and farmers, and help you learn about these vibrant cultures with every bite and sip. You’ll be preparing the perfect ceviche and know your tequilas from your mezcals in no time. Que bueno!

Our food tours in Central & South America

9 Days From 2066

Take a 9-day culinary journey through Mexico, tasting the flavours of Oaxaca, Puebla,...

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

Must-try foods in Central & South America

A plate of traditional Peruvian ceviche

Peru – ceviche

Freshly caught fish “cooked” in a marinade of lime juice, aji amarillo chilli, red onion and salt. Serve with avocado, sweet potato chunks, plantain chips and corn on the cob, and you’ve got Peru’s favourite dish.

A plate of tacos al pastor in Mexico City

Mexico – tacos al pastor

Tacos al pastor are made with slow-cooked pork that has been marinated in a flavoursome combo of garlic, chillies, vinegar and annatto seeds. The meat is then shaved off and topped on a corn tortilla with onion and coriander.

A plate of loma soltado in Peru

Peru – lomo saltado

This popular chifa dish combines soy-marinated beef strips fried with juicy tomatoes, onions, aji peppers, and various herbs and spices. Served with rice and french fries, lomo saltado is hearty, filling and delicious.

Meet our local leaders

Tradition, history and delight. There's no better way to describe Mexican food. Immerse yourself in the enriched Mexican culture and history through appealing experiences; eating local food at our markets, and enjoying fine dining with the view of a colonial town. Join the cultural celebration through all your senses, especially the taste! Food is something that unites my family and this is how I show my love, not only to my family and country, but I get to share this with my groups too. 

- Karla, Mexico 

Picture of a wearing a red Intrepid shirt, holding some vegetables

Reviews

Why choose Intrepid

A camera

Real, authentic experiences

We love the highlights, but for us the real magic is found off the tourist trails. Our trips combine iconic sites with hidden gems that you’ll only discover with Intrepid. We’re talking mornings exploring the Taj Mahal, followed by a Mughlai cooking class with a passionate home cook.

A local Intrepid leader

Local expertise

Whether you’re perusing markets, hunting down the best street food bites or learning how to cook centuries-old family recipes at a homestay, there’s no better way to get the inside scoop on a destination – and its culinary traditions – than with an expert local leader by your side.

A small group of travellers

Small groups

Big coaches and flag-toting tour guides don’t cut it for us. With a maximum group size of 12, our groups blend in with the locals and have plenty of opportunities to interact with chefs, street food vendors and group leaders. It also means you can really connect with your fellow foodies.

Stories from the kitchen

Sep 11, 2014
Move over Mexico: 7 awesome foods...

Move over Mexico, your neighbours have some pretty sensational tastebud pleasers...

Mar 05, 2018
What it’s like on a Cuba tour (from...

When I was given the opportunity to go on a small group adventure to Cuba with...

May 18, 2018
So much more than rice and beans: 5...

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the food – especially as I read hardly...

Latin American recipes

Jun 02, 2015
Chef Alejandro Saravia and the last...

We asked Melbourne culinary legend Alejandro Saravi for something delicious, easy...

Nov 23, 2014
Recipes of the world: Trout Ceviche ...

Peruvian cured fish, ceviche, is a delicious dish. Here's how to make it at home.