Cancún Food Festival: Taste the World at Parque de las Palapas

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The Benito Juárez City Council, through the Institute of Culture and Arts of Cancún, will host “¡Qué Rico es Cancún!,” a culinary event dedicated to showcasing the flavors of the Yucatán Peninsula and beyond. The festival will take place on July 5 and 6 at Parque de las Palapas, with support from Mayor Ana Paty Peralta’s administration.

A Celebration of Local and Global Flavors

Organized by the Yucatán Peninsula Gastronomic Circuit and led by its president, Delmar Briceño, the event aims to highlight Cancún’s culinary diversity while fostering a sense of local pride. Briceño explained that the initiative seeks to create monthly themed editions, allowing attendees to experience global cuisines without leaving the city.

“Gastronomy is also about identity,” Briceño said. “We want people to appreciate the multiculturalism that defines Cancún every day. Many dream of exploring other cultures, not realizing they can taste a bit of Japan, Italy, France, Lebanon, or our own peninsula right here.”

The festival will feature an accessible, family-friendly format, bringing together dishes, desserts, and beverages from various regions under the motto: “A taste of the world in Cancún.” Long-term plans include the creation of “Flavor Maps,” guides to specialized restaurants offering Japanese, French, Mexican, and Yucatecan cuisines for locals and visitors alike.

First Edition Focuses on Yucatecan Cuisine

The inaugural event will spotlight the flavors of the Yucatán Peninsula, with local chefs serving iconic dishes such as cochinita pibil, poc chuc, panuchos, salbutes, marquesitas, and sandwichón.

“We want the world to see Cancún not just as a sun-and-beach paradise but as a destination with flavor and culture,” Briceño added. “When someone says ‘Qué Rico es Cancún,’ we want them to say it with pride and a sense of belonging.”

Upcoming Culinary Events

Following “¡Qué Rico es Cancún!,” the city will host the “Corn Fair” on July 12 and 13 at Malecón Tajamar, continuing efforts to promote local gastronomy and cultural heritage.

The initiative reflects the Benito Juárez City Council’s commitment to building a vibrant, inclusive, and culturally rich Cancún.