Travelers considering a trip to Xoy will find concrete points of interest in the traditional Maya milpa, the religious life surrounding the local patron saint, and the town’s archaeological classification. Particularly notable are the information on native seeds and the planning of agricultural work according to the phases of the moon. These topics make Xoy especially interesting to travelers who take local culture and agriculture into account when choosing a destination.

Maya Milpa and Native Varieties

The traditional Maya milpa in Xoy follows the phases of the moon when planning clearing, sowing, and harvesting. This links a sense of timing with the practical steps involved: clearing prepares the land for cultivation, sowing follows, and harvesting completes the cycle. The milpa can therefore be understood not only in terms of individual crops, but also through the way it is planned. Those interested in agricultural traditions can see how closely cultivation and planning are connected.

A study published in 2019/2020 recorded 22 native crop varieties in the milpas of Xoy: eight varieties of maize, seven varieties of lima beans, four varieties of squash, and three varieties of common beans. Maize is the largest single group among the four crops listed; lima beans follow with seven varieties. This breakdown illustrates the diversity: it includes several crops, not just maize.

Another, differently defined glimpse concerns Nazario Poot Palomo. He is a maize producer and a member of the Guardianes de semillas collective in Xoy. A report dated May 10, 2025, says that he keeps 18 native seed varieties at home and regularly tests their germination. The 18 varieties should not be directly equated with the 22 crop varieties: one figure refers to the seed varieties he keeps, while the other refers to the varieties recorded in the milpas. The two figures can therefore be understood as different glimpses of Xoy’s seed diversity, not as a combined total.

Brotherhoods and Festivals in Xoy

Religious traditions also take specific forms. As of April 9, 2026, Xoy had five brotherhoods honoring the local patron saint: señoras, jóvenes, labradores 1, labradores 2, and señoritas. The names distinguish the five groups, whose religious purpose is connected to the patron saint.

During the festivities in honor of the Virgen Dolorosa, a procession traveled through Xoy to the parish church in the town center, which is dedicated to the Virgen Dolorosa. Thus, in addition to the named brotherhoods, there is a specific festive event with a destination within the town. If you want to plan your trip specifically around these celebrations, check the date in advance.

Archaeological Classification

Xoy is located in the municipality of Peto, and the Yucatán state government lists it as an archaeological site. This classification adds an archaeological connection to the agricultural and religious topics. If the site is a key reason for your trip, check current access arrangements in advance.

Xoy can be considered from several perspectives: the Maya milpa points to cultivation planning and native varieties, the brotherhoods and festivals to religious traditions, and the archaeological classification to another aspect of the town. Which of these perspectives matters most for your trip depends on what you want to take into account when choosing a destination.

Discover more destinations: Izamal, Río Lagartos, Muna, Valladolid, Ticul, Ticum, Tzucacab, Temozon

For the broader travel overview: Yucatán.