Xcaret presents the second edition of the Apapaxoa GastroCultural Festival, an experience that will bring together more than 50 prominent figures from the national and international culinary scene, as well as artists, writers, and specialists from various disciplines, with the goal of positioning the group as a gastronomic benchmark in Mexico and Latin America.
The event will offer six days of activities showcasing the evolution, diversity, and trends shaping the present and future of cuisine. The program will include special dinners, discussion forums, workshops, and cultural activities designed to connect flavor with creativity, thought, and the exchange of ideas. Tickets are now on sale, with different access options available for guests to experience the festival in their own way.
Gala Dinner in Honor of Enrique Olvera
One of the most anticipated moments will be the gala dinner honoring the renowned culinary creator, a key figure in the international rise of Mexican cuisine. Known for his ability to reinterpret tradition with a contemporary vision, Olvera will be celebrated with a special dinner prepared by some of his protégés—now acclaimed figures in the gastronomic scene—who will lead an unforgettable evening.
More than 50 Apapaxados: Guests from Mexico and Around the World
The 2025 edition of the Apapaxoa GastroCultural Festival will bring together a community of over 50 culinary creators, Michelin-starred chefs, sommeliers, experts, artists, and writers, each contributing their unique perspective to the festival. Confirmed guests include: Ana Karime López, Santiago Lastra, Luiz Filipe Souza, Antonio Bachour, Camila Fiol, Ángel León, Chele González, Jaime Rodríguez, Mitsuharu Tsumura, Mario Papa, Rafael Covarrubias, Karla Papa, Pepe Salinas, Lulú Martínez, Gabriel Cámara, Fabiola Escobosa, Luis Arellano, Paco Ruano, Claudia Santiz, Jesús Durón, Diego Hernández, and Alex Bremont, as well as Leslie Jaimes and Emmanuel Peña.
Cultural figures will also take part in the festival, including renowned writer Laura Esquivel, journalist Vivian Bibliowicz, the band Monsieur Periné, and visual artist Amador Montes.
A Festival with the Flavor of Xcaret
One of the pillars of this year’s edition of the Apapaxoa GastroCultural Festival will be the talent of the Xcaret Hotels Gastronomic Collective, made up of 17 chefs who have built a strong, diverse, and deeply rooted culinary proposal connected to the heart of Mexico. They will host special dinners, collaborations, and signature experiences throughout the festival. The collective includes: Andoni Luis Aduriz, Mariana Valencia, Lula Martín del Campo, Gaby Ruíz, Sheyla Alvarado, Chuy Villarreal, José Luis Hinostroza, Carlos Gaytán, Martha Ortiz, the Rivera Río brothers, Jonathan Gómez Luna, Roberto Solís, Paco Méndez, Sandra Fernández, Miguel Bautista, as well as Alex Ruíz and Luis Arzápalo.
Each of them will present a showcase of the very best from Xcaret Hotels’ restaurants, such as: Ha’, Xal, Xaak, Bio, Chibalí, Kibi Kibi, Trajinera, Centli, and Lumbre. These culinary concepts have turned the destination into a key landmark on Mexico’s gastronomic map, with internationally acclaimed offerings and some of which have been awarded Michelin stars.
Highlights of the Apapaxoa GastroCultural Festival 2025
Among the most anticipated events of this year’s edition are:
- Welcome Dinner: A special evening at Gran Tlachco inside Xcaret Park, where gastronomy will merge with a theatrical format featuring storytelling, music, and live cooking. The dinner will be crafted by the women chefs of the Xcaret Gastronomic Collective.
- Stories with Flavor: Intimate gatherings between chefs, sommeliers, writers, and experts where ideas, perspectives, and reflections will be shared on the role of cuisine in culture and society.
- Special Dinners at Xcaret Hotels: Unique menus, collaborations, and pairings that will celebrate the richness and diversity of Mexican and Latin American flavors.
- Cultural Exhibitions and Activities: Art, music, and interdisciplinary experiences that will deepen the dialogue between cuisine and other creative expressions.
- Tastings and Cocktails: Spaces dedicated to exploring new trends and techniques, offering immersive experiences for the palate.
A Celebration for the Soul… and the Palate
For us, Apapaxoa means “to embrace with the soul,” and it stands as Xcaret’s signature festival—a celebration that honors cuisine as an act of connection, memory, and collective creation. Now in its second edition, the festival evolves as the group’s most important culinary platform, reaffirming Xcaret’s leadership in hospitality and its commitment to promoting meaningful gastronomic experiences across Mexico and Latin America.
