The small towns of Yucatán possess a unique aesthetic and charm, setting them apart from the rest of the country. They are characterized by elements that fuse colonial and Maya cultures, such as stone fences (albarradas), majestic churches, Maya houses, archaeological remnants, and unparalleled natural beauty.
Maxcanú is an excellent example of all of the above. The town is located just about an hour from Mérida, and it's a spot every visitor should check out during November, when the Jícama Festival takes place. This celebration, now in its sixth edition, was born with the purpose of keeping alive one of the most representative products of western Yucatán: the jícama.
The Jícama Festival: Flavor, Culture, and Empowerment
In this grand celebration, Maxcanú honors one of its greatest treasures. This delicious and juicy white tuber provides flavor, freshness, and nutrition, and is distinguished by its subtle taste and high water content, making it a unique regional product.
More than just a simple fiesta, this festival seeks to empower the community, encourage new generations to preserve traditional farming techniques and the original seed, and strengthen local identity around this food. Furthermore, the event encompasses a whole cultural and productive context, showing how jícama, a fundamental product within the Yucatecan milpas (traditional fields), can open new business opportunities and economic development for the municipality's families.
This sixth edition of the festival (the third held in person) aims to promote local producers and share the quality of the jícamas harvested here with the world. Over two days, November 15 and 16, there will be diverse activities, events, and products revolving around this special root vegetable.
The Jícama Tour: From Seed to Table
One of the most interesting experiences is the Jícama Tours, which, as the name suggests, take you to discover the fascinating process of cultivating this crop. These tours are held at the X’kaluumkim plot, a 100% traditional space administered by a local family, the Cauiches.
When you arrive, Doña Paty and her father, Don Ausencio, welcome you and introduce you to the jícama process. They will teach you how the seeds are sown, how the tubers are extracted from the earth, the proper way to peel and wash them, and share various curious facts. They will even help you harvest your own jícama!
To top it off, Doña Paty and her sister will show you how to prepare a delicious Xe’ek’, which you can then taste. It is worth noting that the adventure begins from the moment you travel to the field, as you’re taken there in a mototaxi.
- Departure Point: From the tourist letters in the center of Maxcanú.
- Price: $440 pesos for Mexican nationals and $500 pesos for foreigners per mototaxi (which fits up to four people).
- Píib Experience: There is another tour that includes an extra experience: tasting jícamas made in a píib (underground oven). This addition is absolutely worth it for everything it entails, but please note it is available only with prior reservation.
A Culinary Festival That’s Out of the Ordinary
If you love food, especially dishes that are outside the ordinary, at this festival you can feast on a wide and surprising gastronomic offer that includes various jícama-based delicacies, such as crème brûlée, cupcakes, mini-empanadas, tarts, wine, horchata, ice cream, frappes, and much more!
But if you are looking for a more gourmet experience, you can visit the urban and signature cuisine restaurant “Tito’s y Wilma’s,” which has prepared a special three-course menu for this event:
- Appetizer (choose one): Jícama tostadas with creamy lime dressing OR a fresh vegetable salad with cilantro, jícama, and jícama liqueur vinaigrette.
- Main Course (choose one): Fettuccine in jícama cream OR Rib Eye steak in its own juice with jícama cream.
- Dessert: An eclectic mix including jícama ice cream, jícama candy, and jícama in píib.
To add an extra touch to your meal, you can pair it with a refreshing nance cocktail made with jícama milk liqueur; if you struggle to imagine the flavor, let me tell you, it's delicious.
Tito’s y Wilma’s Special Hours: The restaurant's normal hours are only in the evening (Friday to Sunday from 7 - 11 pm), but in celebration of this major event, they will be open during the festival from 8 am to 11 pm. This means you can have breakfast, lunch, or dinner right there before heading to the other activities.
Catch the "Jícama Fever"
Everything I've told you up to this point represents just a small part of the total experiences that Maxcanú is preparing for you in the coming days. They will also have bike rides around jicama fields, contests, artistic performances, Vaquería, exhibitions of jicama-based products, and many other activities that are worth discovering.
This festival has become a source of pride for all the residents of Maxcanú who, like Chef José Rodríguez (president of the organizing committee), love their town and are happy to share their white gold with the world.
If you have the opportunity to attend, don't think too much about it and do it. This is a great opportunity to support 100% Yucatecan producers, artisans, and entrepreneurs, as well as the local economy while discovering new corners and flavors of Yucatán. Undoubtedly, after attending once, you'll want to come back every year and experience the jicama fever again.
Are you in?
For more information about the program and other details of the festival, we advise you to check the Facebook profile of Colectivo La Tierra de La Jícama .
Photography by Carlos Guzmán for its use in Yucatán Today
Last updated on November 2025
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