Mexico /Jun 02, 2026
One of the more unusual visitor attractions in the Yucatan Peninsula, Xkopek Bee Park is located in the beautiful, colonial-era town of Valladolid.
The Xkopek Bee Park (Parque Apicola) is a family run farm and eco-park that, first and foremost, specialises in the conservation of the rare Melipona bee, a stingless variety of bee that has been cultivated by the Maya for countless generations.
Melipona bees are found in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world and possess only a vestigial sting, making them harmless to humans.
Like normal bees, they are social insects that live in colonies and which play a vital role in natural biodiversity by pollinating plants and crops.
In many cultures, including the Maya of Mexico, stingless bees have been kept for their unique honey, prized for both its distinct flavour and medicinal properties.
Tours of Xkopek operate on a shared, group basis, last approximately 90 minutes and take place daily between 08.30 & 16.00
These guided tours take guests through traditional apiaries where expert guides explain the cultural and ecological importance of these remarkable pollinators. Visitors can observe the bees up close, learn about ancient honey-harvesting practices, and discover how melipona honey continues to play a role in local Maya traditions and natural remedies.
One of the undoubted highlights of the whole experience is the honey tasting session. Visitors will get to sample different varieties of honey while learning how flavours can vary depending on the surrounding vegetation.
Beyond the obvious focus on bees, Xkopek also functions as a broad nature sanctuary. The property features extensive green spaces, native wildlife, and a dry cenote that serves as a refuge for birds and other insects.
For an additional charge, visitors can then relax by the picturesque pool with quiet seating areas and traditional hammocks. There is also a restaurant serving traditional Maya cuisine including specialities such as Molletes Valladolid, Sopes Dona Yoli, Chilaquiles Xkopek and, not surprisingly, a variety of desserts and drinks centred around honey.
Not surprisingly given its focus, Xkopek features a shop that sells a wide variety of honeys and honey related products.
As well as pure honey, with and without honeycombs, the shop sells honey syrups, extracts of honey, honey-based sweets, soaps, shampoos and body creams.
As well as being worthwhile in their own right, every purchase from the shop also helps support the apiary in its vital conservation work.
Xkopek is located a short drive south of the centre of Valladolid. Clients of Beyond The Ordinary who are on a private tour will be driven to the park by their Driver / Guide while those on a Self-Drive holiday can easily drive to the park themselves.
Clients staying at the wonderful Posada San Juan hotel in Valladolid can just about walk to the park.
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