Oxkutzcab, “town three times founded” or “place of ramón, tobacco and honey,” is an agricultural center located in the south of Yucatán, 100 km from Mérida, within the “citrus belt of the state.” Founded in 1550 by the Spanish after the fall of the Mayan lordship of Mayapán, which at that time was governed by the Tutul Xiu family, today it has almost 30,000 inhabitants, the vast majority of whom are of Mayan descent.
First Impressions
When you first arrive you will notice there is a combination of traditional Maya homes, classic colonial constructions, and more contemporary houses. In order to find your way, you really don’t need to ask for directions, in part because things are pretty self-explanatory and also because the locals are so friendly that if they sense even a slightly puzzled look on your face, they will come up and offer their assistance (I’m not kidding, this happened three times over the course of two hours).
Main Square and Municipal Market
Start your visit at the main square and walk through the beamed halls of their municipal offices to get your bearings. When you’re finished, cross the street to the park where they have a fountain decorated with a wheelbarrow full of famous Oxkutzcab produce which you’ll be able to see up close at the market, one of the highlights of coming here.
The town is often referred to as “The Orchard of Yucatán” and has a bustling municipal market where people from all over the state come shopping for fruits and vegetables; it is particularly well known for its citrus fruits. Outside of the market, you can see a colorful mural which depicts the city’s main economic activities; you will also find vendors who mostly sell by the “huacal” - or crate - but if you step inside, you will be able to buy smaller quantities of produce, flowers, meat, clothing, toys, and of course: food… panuchos, salbutes, mondongo, cochinita galore… so it’s a great place to come hungry.
The Former Convent
Once you’re done roaming the market, you can also visit the former Saint Francis of Assisi Convent which is right across the street and dates back to 1581. Mornings are the best time to visit, since this is when the offices are open so that you can go into the former convent and see the paintings and sculptures of the church, as well as getting a closer look at the former convent’s surviving cloister and bell tower.
La Ermita
On the southern hills is La Ermita de la Virgen del Pilar. This church dates back to 1697 and in order to visit you must climb the staircase from the bottom of the hill to get to its gates, but don’t get discouraged, it doesn’t take too long. When you reach the top, you get a superb view of the market and town center, not to mention the opportunity to visit the small edification dedicated to Our Lady of the Pillar.
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Other Attractions
If you are driving your own car, you can take a look at the former train station. This building constructed in the Puuc style dates back to the 1940s and was integral in the transportation of goods before highways in the state were built. Today, it houses the city’s cultural center where they host workshops and artistic events.
The Orange Fair in Oxkutzcab
The city also hosts their annual “Feria de la Naranja” at the beginning of December each year. Since 1984, this festival has aimed at promoting the city’s agricultural activities, by presenting replicas of archaeological sites and buildings made completely out of oranges, as well as presenting concerts, contests, vaquerías, and other shows.
The Feria de la Naranja 2024 will be celebrated in Oxkutzcab from Sunday, December 8th to Wednesday, December 18th.
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Where to eat in Oxkutzcab?
If you want to stay for lunch, the Príncipe de Tutul Xiu is located on the same street as the market and is always a solid option. They serve up traditional Yucatecan cuisine, and it's a well-known restaurant even for Yucatecos who are craving authentic Poc Chuc!
Where to sleep in Oxkutzcab
Oxkutzcab is a very good option to spend the night when you want to do the Convent Route one day and the Puuc Route the next without returning to Mérida. This way, you save money, time and effort while expanding your vision of the state at the same time. Oxkutzcab is also an interesting place to use as a base when visiting the south of the state.
After visiting Oxkutzcab the options are endless! Visit another traditional Yucatecan town like Maní, Mama or Teabo; do some more shopping in Ticul; go see the caves in Tekax or the light and sound show in Uxmal. You can also spend the night in Uxmal after the show; or, rush home and get all your produce put away before it gets too ripe in the Yucatecan sun.
Tropical Fruit in Oxkutzcab
Oxkutzcab is an authentic Maya town, where part of the economy focuses on the cultivation of tropical fruits such as citrus, zapote, avocado, mango, papaya, mamey, huayas, saramuyos and plums.
Places of interest in Oxkutzcab
- The Convent of San Francisco (1790-1851)
- The Chapel of San Esteban (1872)
- The Hermitage of the Virgen del Pilar (1697)
- The train station (1947)
- The market where the aroma of oranges reigns
- The tricytaxis sites
Places of interest near Oxkutzcab
Puuc Route: Grottoes of Loltún, Labná, Xlapak, Sayil, Kabáh, Santa Elena (mummies) and Uxmal.
Convent Route: Acancéh (Mayan pyramids, churches), Tecóh, Telchaquillo, Mayapán (Mayan pyramids), Tekit, Mama, Chumayel, Teabo, Tipikal, Maní and Oxkutzcab.
How to get to Oxkutzcab from Mérida
By Car:
Getting to Oxkutzcab is fairly easy, take the highway toward Peto and follow the road signs, it should take about an hour and a half. As you start getting into the Puuc Region, you will see the topography begin to change as hills appear.
By combi:
Terminal de Taxis de Oxkutzcab
By bus:
Terminal de Autobuses (2nd class)
Líneas Unidas del Sur / Oriente
Calle 50 x 67, Centro, Mérida, Yuc.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/12NhHJEp3LpWiWXd8
Tel. (999) 923 9819
Destination: Kanasín, Tepich, Tecoh, Telchaquillo, Maní, Oxkutzcab, Sotuta, Mayapán, Cholul, Peto, Homún, Tekit, Izamal (3 x día)
Terminal del Noreste y Autobuses LUS (2nd class)
Calle 67 x 50 y 52, Centro, Mérida, Yuc.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8cYQP6edxRTu38F46
Tel. (999) 924 6355
Destination: Motul, Telchac Puerto, Espita, Dzidzantún, Dzilam González, Dzilam de Bravo, Buctzotz, Tizimín, Río Lagartos, San Felipe, Katunikín, Cancún, Acanceh, Tecoh, Teabo, Chumayel, Maní, Oxkutzcab, Peto, Cuzamá, Homún, Ticul, Huhí, Tzacalá, Sotuta, Tekit, Celestún, Holbox (vía Chiquilá)
Terminal TAME (2nd class)
OCC, Mayab, FTS, Oriente, TRT
Calle 69 x 68 y 70, Centro, Mérida, Yuc.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PDPCDrX3iqHWhQDr8
Tel. (999) 924 0830
Destination: Calkiní, Campeche, Ciudad del Carmen, Champotón, Escárcega, Villahermosa, Umán, Cancún, Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, Playa del Carmen, Izamal, Valladolid, Tizimín, Cobá, Tulum, Ticul, Oxkutzcab, Holbox (vía Chiquilá), Chetumal
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