‘Taco Loco’ Wins Top Prize at Tulum Lobster Festival 2026

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Taco Loco took first place Saturday in the culinary contest at the 2026 Tulum Lobster Festival, a three-day event that celebrated the region’s signature crustacean and the fishing communities behind it.

The winning dish, “Sombra de Mar,” was created by the chefs at Taco Loco, a restaurant located in the La Huaya food garden on Calle Sin Nombre. Chef Rafael Rodríguez said the dish features a red achiote recado, coconut cream infused with regional citrus like sour orange and lemongrass, and a side salad of espelón beans.

Haydee Hernández Pastrana, the municipal tourism director, and Melitón González Pérez, head of the city’s economic development office, presented the awards. González Pérez attended on behalf of Mayor Diego Castañón. Third place went to Mamazul, and second place went to Moxy Tulum.

The festival, which ran from Aug. 21-23, was supplied by the Vigía Chico fishing cooperative from Punta Allen. Jetro Isai Domínguez Ancona, a member of the cooperative, said it has 77 members and 46 boats. He said the group caught just over 60 kilograms (132 pounds) of lobster on Saturday alone and sold 45 kilograms (99 pounds) on Friday.

Domínguez said the festival provides crucial support for the local economy and helps raise the profile of Punta Allen and its fishing cooperative. He noted that the dirt road to Punta Allen can complicate access but that visitors still made the trip for the festival’s opening.

Lobster dishes at the event ranged from about 400 pesos to 1,000 pesos, depending on the restaurant and portion size.

Domínguez also pointed to the challenges facing the fishery, including climate change and sargassum seaweed. He said the warmer waters have pushed lobsters to seek cooler areas, and the seaweed has complicated their breeding grounds. Still, he said 2026 has been a decent year for the fishermen, with no major rains affecting their work.