Cancun Seafood Festival
Annual festival, typically April-May
Season: April – May
Various restaurants and venues in Hotel Zone
About
The Cancun Seafood Festival (Festival Gastronómico del Camarón) transforms the Hotel Zone into a culinary celebration where families can taste creative shrimp and seafood dishes from top local restaurants. This annual spring festival offers kids a fun introduction to Mexican coastal cuisine with beachside atmosphere, live entertainment, and oceanfront dining experiences. It's a delicious way to explore Cancun beyond the beach while sampling child-friendly seafood options in a festive, family-oriented setting.
What to Expect
Families will find participating restaurants throughout the Hotel Zone offering special festival menus featuring shrimp and seafood prepared in traditional and innovative ways. The atmosphere is lively and casual, with many venues providing outdoor seating with ocean views, live music, and cultural performances. Most restaurants welcome families and offer milder, less spicy options suitable for children, along with non-seafood alternatives. The festival operates across multiple venues rather than one central location, allowing families to explore different restaurants and create their own tasting adventure.
Highlights for Kids
- Trying coconut shrimp and other breaded seafood options that appeal to pickier eaters
- Watching chefs prepare ceviche and other dishes at open kitchens and cooking demonstrations
- Enjoying meals with ocean views and beach atmosphere at participating waterfront restaurants
- Experiencing live mariachi or tropical music performances at various venues
- Collecting stamps or stickers from different restaurants to track your culinary adventure
Pro Tips for Families
- Download participating restaurant lists in advance and choose 2-3 family-friendly venues rather than trying to visit many—the Hotel Zone is large and travel between restaurants takes time
- Make reservations at popular restaurants, especially for dinner hours, as festival specials draw crowds and walk-in waits can be long with hungry kids
- Request dishes 'no picante' (not spicy) and ask about pescado (fish) or camarones empanizados (breaded shrimp) which are typically kid-friendly gateway seafood options
- Many hotels in the zone offer shuttle services between properties—ask your concierge about transportation to festival venues to avoid parking hassles and allow parents to enjoy a margarita
Best Time to Visit
Lunch hours (12pm-2pm) are ideal for families as restaurants are less crowded, natural lighting is great for kids to see what they're eating, and you can enjoy the festival before afternoon beach or pool time. Weekday visits typically offer shorter waits than weekends. If dining for dinner, aim for early seating around 5-6pm before peak crowds arrive.
Food & Drinks
Participating restaurants offer special festival menus focused on shrimp and seafood dishes ranging from traditional aguachile and ceviche to grilled fish tacos and coconut shrimp. Most venues provide kid menus with familiar options like chicken fingers, quesadillas, pasta, and french fries alongside seafood choices. Fresh fruit waters (aguas frescas), smoothies, and soft drinks are widely available. Many restaurants offer combination plates allowing kids to sample small portions of multiple dishes, which works well for cautious eaters.
Parking & Access
The Hotel Zone is accessible by taxi, Uber, or local bus (R-1 route) which runs frequently along Boulevard Kukulcan. Most participating restaurants have parking lots, though spaces fill quickly during peak hours—valet parking is common and typically costs 50-100 pesos. Sidewalks along the Hotel Zone are generally stroller-friendly, though some stretches are limited. Consider staying at a Hotel Zone property to walk to nearby participating restaurants, or use hotel shuttles. English-speaking taxi drivers are readily available from any hotel.
More Festivals
Benito Juárez Anniversary Celebrations
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The Benito Juárez Anniversary Celebrations offer families a vibrant introduction to Mexican culture and history through colorful parades, traditional music, and folkloric dance performances honoring one of Mexico's most beloved presidents. This annual patriotic festival transforms downtown Cancun into a lively celebration where kids can experience authentic Mexican traditions away from the resort zones. It's a wonderful opportunity for children to witness local pride and participate in a genuine community event alongside Cancun families.
Cancun International Book Fair
Annual event, typically May-June
The Cancun International Book Fair transforms the convention center into a literary wonderland where families can explore thousands of books in Spanish and English, meet beloved authors, and participate in interactive storytelling sessions. This cultural celebration offers a refreshing break from beach activities while introducing children to Mexican and international literature in a vibrant, festival atmosphere. It's an excellent opportunity for bilingual families or those wanting to expose kids to Spanish-language culture and reading.
Festival of San Miguelito
Annual festival, September 29
The Festival of San Miguelito is Cancun's vibrant neighborhood celebration honoring the patron saint of one of the city's oldest communities, offering families an authentic glimpse into local Mexican culture beyond the resort zone. Kids will be mesmerized by colorful parades, traditional dances, live music, and festive decorations that transform downtown Cancun into a joyful street party. This community-focused festival provides a wonderful opportunity for children to experience genuine Mexican traditions, taste local foods, and celebrate alongside Cancun families in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.