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The team at OROKO Travel, Ireland’s leading tailored travel experts, have searched the globe to find the most vibrant cities and landscapes to feature as part of their culinary holiday collection for food lovers. Destinations that live and breathe food, the OROKO travel specialists have tailored suggested luxury holidays marked by mouth-watering eats as stunning as the scenery. 

Discover the Culinary Wonders of Latin America – From Markets to Michelin Stars on a Tailored Journey with OROKO Travel

Latin America is a land where food is more than just sustenance, it’s a narrative, an art form, and a celebration of life. Every dish tells the story of ancient civilizations, diverse cultures, and the bounty of the region’s landscapes. From the lively hum of open-air markets, where the air is filled with the aromas of sizzling street food, to the refined dining rooms of Michelin-starred restaurants in Lima and São Paulo, Latin American cuisine is a vibrant tapestry woven from ancient traditions, global influences, and bold, creative innovations. 

In Latin America, unique and heritage-rich dining experiences are the norm. You may find yourself beneath the wide branches of an ombú tree in an Argentine estancia, where, as OROKO Travel Specialist, Mary, shares, “We went to a gaucho festival which was a wonderful day in itself. We were then invited to an asado (barbecue) at a beautiful estancia. The coals were prepared for hours, the meat cured with salt, and the whole experience felt like a celebration of tradition and culture.” In such moments, food is more than a dish—it becomes a story, a connection to the land and its people.

As Ireland’s only dedicated luxury tailored travel company, the OROKO team is well-versed in destinations of culinary excellence and their passion for Latin America runs deep. Many of the team have not just travelled through this vibrant region; they’ve called it home, living and breathing its rich culture and culinary wonders. With their fingers on the pulse of local life, they’ve dined in bustling markets, celebrated festivals, and shared meals under the sprawling branches of ancient trees, all while forging connections with the incredible people who bring these experiences to life, and ready to share their insight with OROKO clients.

Market Beginnings: where culture and flavour convene 

Children in Cusco, Peru 

Latin American cuisine is born in the heart of its bustling markets; where tradition and community come together in every sale, every bite. Centuries ago, indigenous peoples would gather in bustling tianguis (markets) to trade their locally grown crops. Many of the foods we now associate with Latin American cuisine – corn, beans, chilies, and cacao, for example – were cultivated by the Aztecs, Maya, and Inca civilizations long before European contact, and sold at their tianguis. These markets are the beating heart of everyday life, filled with stories and flavours you can only experience on the ground.  

See how these markets form the backbone of Latin American cooking, whether you’re wandering and in Mexico City or navigating the maze of stalls at Lima’s Mercado Central, where Mary’s favourite Latin American dish, fresh ceviche, is prepared in front of you. “Cured in a little lime, fresh from the Pacific. It’s just so fresh and delicious”. 

With OROKO, you won’t just be an observer—you’ll dive into these markets through curated tours accompanied by your private guide, tasting the finest produce, chatting with local vendors, and discovering the ancient ingredients that have shaped Latin American cooking for centuries. Mary shares, “We took part in a cooking class in Guatemala where we first visited the markets to pick our produce. Chatting to the native farmers, the local sellers and choosing the best produce amongst the bustle of the market – it was a really wonderful and authentic experience.” 

Street Food Wonders: flavours of the people 

Making Tortillas in Antigua, Guatemala

Step outside the markets, and you’re met with the intoxicating smells of street food that waft through the air. Latin America’s street food scene is nothing short of magical. It’s a love letter to the everyday flavours that locals have perfected, where recipes were born from necessity but elevated by creativity, innovation and a love for the land. 

Bite into a freshly made taco al pastor in the streets of Mexico, the corn tortilla still warm from the grill, or savour a golden, crisp empanada in Argentina, where the flaky crust gives way to spiced meat and vegetables inside. Perhaps you’re in Colombia, relishing a piping-hot arepa, its smoky corn flavour blending perfectly with melted cheese and savoury fillings. 

These are the humble dishes that capture the soul of a place, where every bite tells a story of the land, its people, and their unbreakable connection to food. With OROKO as your guide, you’ll be led to the finest, most authentic street vendors – the kind that locals swear by and that tourists rarely find.  

A World of Michelin Stars: Latin America’s culinary renaissance 

Sol y Luna, an OROKO partner property in Peru

While Latin America’s streets and markets lay the foundation for its cuisine, the region has also become a playground for some of the world’s most innovative chefs. In recent years, Latin America has exploded onto the global fine dining scene, with chefs reimagining local ingredients and traditions in ways that astound and inspire. 

“Even in the really sophisticated Michelin-star restaurants, it’s always a celebration of the land’s raw materials. That’s what makes it so special. Especially in Lima, where Astrid and Gastón really began developing the food and restaurant scene about 20 years ago. Using the lands’ traditional ingredients, they pioneered the movement and now Lima is a culinary capital”, Mary tells us. 

With OROKO, you won’t have to worry about missing out on these culinary wonders. Your tailored holiday will include exclusive recommendations by the OROKO Concierge, featuring some of the most sought-after tables in the world, where each course is a revelation, and each meal a celebration of creativity and culture. 

From Farm to Table: a deep connection to the land 

Asado on the reserve at Casa de Uco, an OROKO partner property in Mendoza

In the Andean highlands, you’ll still find small farms that grow ancient grains like quinoa and amaranth, tended by farmers whose methods have changed little over centuries. In Costa Rica, coffee plantations stretch as far as the eye can see, their beans picked by hand and roasted to perfection. And in Ecuador, you can visit cacao farms that produce the world’s finest chocolate, where you can learn how this “food of the gods” is transformed from bean to bar. 

In recent years, the farm-to-table movement has brought these ancient practices back into the spotlight. Chefs across the region are turning to local, sustainable farming techniques to source ingredients, ensuring that their menus reflect the land and seasons. With OROKO, these farm-to-table experiences become part of your journey. You’ll walk through the fields, meet the farmers, and taste the fruits of their labour. You’ll experience a deeper connection to the land, to the culture, and to the food that defines this extraordinary region. 

Relishing the Journey: Latin America with OROKO 

Picnic on Lake Titicaca, Peru 

With OROKO, you won’t just visit Latin America – you’ll experience it. You’ll taste its heritage, feel its passion and savour its creativity, ensuring you experience Latin America not just as a tourist, but as a welcomed guest in a world filled with vibrant culture. 

Let OROKO take you on an unforgettable culinary adventure. Through extensive personal experience and well-established destination knowledge, prepare for a journey that will leave your heart full, your senses awakened, and your taste buds longing for more. 

If you’re feeling tempted to visit Latin America on your own tailored holiday, be sure to download OROKO’s Latin America brochure to spark some inspiration. 

To start planning your luxury culinary holiday, call OROKO Travel on 01 2600 240 or email info@orokotravel.ie

Discover the Culinary Wonders of Latin America by OROKO Travel

OROKO is Ireland’s only dedicated luxury tailored travel business. A team of luxury travel agents passionate about the world who create experiential, personalised luxury holidays from Ireland. Having travelled far and wide to discover the world’s culinary hotspots, OROKO will tailor gastronomic experiences all over the world, from the food markets of Lisbon and Porto to the neon-lit streets of Tokyo and Osaka.

Visit www.orokotravel.ie or call 01-2600240