What is in season in Cancún. and what to order when the market changes.

Spring

  • Lent fish and seafood: During Semana Santa (March or April) many Catholic households give up red meat for fish and seafood, while Caribbean lobster is in its closed season.
  • Caribbean lobster closed season: From 1 March to 30 June the capture, transport and sale of Caribbean spiny lobster is banned off Quintana Roo and Yucatán.

Summer

  • Caribbean spiny lobster: The lobster ban off Quintana Roo and Yucatán ends on 30 June, so fresh Caribbean lobster returns to Cancún's seafood menus from July.
  • Pulpo maya: The pulpo maya season on the Yucatán coast opens on 1 August and runs to 15 December, the months when fresh octopus is easiest to find.

Autumn

  • Pan de muerto: Baked for Janal Pixan at the end of October; the Cena de Ánimas at Parque de las Palapas holds a pan de muerto contest on 1 and 2 November.
  • Mucbipollo: A large tamale of corn masa, lard and chicken or pork wrapped in banana leaf and baked underground; Quintana Roo promotes it for its Janal Pixán events.

Winter

  • Rosca de reyes: The Three Kings bread of early January; the January 2026 Pancito Fest at Parque de las Palapas sold roscas, pan dulce, cakes and brownies.
  • Candelaria tamales: On 2 February, Candelaria day, tamales are everywhere at the Expo Feria in Valladolid, the Yucatecan town that is a long day trip from Cancún.

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