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If the Mexican ever risks revealing
himself completely to a foreigner,
showing the full range of his eclectic
religiosity, his flint-hard resignation
to the numerous defeats of his daily
life, and his overpowering sadness
even as flowers bloom, it is during
the great national fiesta, the Day
of the Dead, November 1 and 2.
-Lee Foster,
"Mexico: The Devil's Piñta"
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Although Cancun's beautiful beaches
and luxury resorts are probably the
first things that come to mind when
you think about Cancun, don't overlook
the local cultural activities Cancun
offers. Like many Mexican cities, Cancun
offers cultural attractions such as
museums, galleries, musical performances
and theaters. One of the most popular
cultural activities for visitors is
the National Folkloric Ballet of
Mexico. Presented as a dinner show
with an open bar, the Folkloric Ballet
puts on a show dedicated to Mexico's
diverse history. Shows are presented
Monday - Friday at the Cancun Convention
Center in Cancun's hotel zone. Guests
can choose to purchase a ticket that
includes the show, open bar, and a meal
showcasing the many flavors of Mexico.
The second ticket option includes the
show and open bar. The show begins at
8 PM, and guests who are coming for
the dinner are encouraged to arrive
at 6:30 pm. The 80 minute show features
traditional and modern dance and music.
Tickets can be purchased at the Cancun
Convention Center.
 Throughout
Cancun, visitors can find fun and unique
dance and music performances at restaurants,
hotels, theaters, bars and even on street
corners. At in the Costa Blanca Shopping
Center, El Mexicano Restaurant
puts on shows each night from 7
pm to 11 pm. The entertainment varies
nightly with mariachis, folkloric ballet
and live music. Mango Tango,
located at kilometer 14 in the Hotel
Zone, is another lagoon-side restaurant
offering nightly dinner shows, with
live salsa and reggae later in the evening.
The Casa De Cultura Art Center, located
on Yaxchilan Avenue in downtown Cancun
(El Centro), and the Teatro de
Cancun, located at kilometer 4.5 in
the hotel zone, both offer cultural
events ranging from art exhibits to
dance performances to plays and concerts.
Xcaret eco-park, located just
south of Playa del Carmen in the Riviera
Maya, is home to two theaters
capable of seating 6,000 guests and
is known for complex shows featuring
live music, acrobats and dancers. Visitors
who visit Xcaret during the day are
welcome to stay into the evening and
enjoy the nightly shows.
While Cancun might be known more
for its discos and clubs, there are
plenty of ways to experience Mexico's
rich cultural history throughout the
city..
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Tequila
Herradura
Sensorial
Museum
Location:
CANCUN
Transportation
From: --
Welcome to
the Tequila
Herradura
Sensorial
Museum! Here
you will
discover
both the
modern and
traditional
artisanal
methods of
making
Mexico's
national
spirit,
Tequila, a
beverage
that can
only be
produced in
one specific
region of
the country.
Discover how
complicated
it is to
make every
single drop
of this
renowned
drink!
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Discover
Mexico Park
Location:
COZUMEL
Transportation
From: --
Discover
Mexico Park
is the
newest and
most visited
park in
Cozumel,
offering a
unique
Mexican
experience.
The park
brings
together
pre-Columbian,
colonial and
modern
Mexican
wonders in
one place,
including
the Castle
from Chichen
Itza,
recently
declared as
one of the
New Seven
Wonders of
the World.
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Mayan Ruins in Cancun
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 Ruinas
Del Rey Large signs
on the Zona Hotelera's lagoon side, roughly
opposite Playa Delfines, point out the small
Ruins of the King. Although much smaller
than famous archaeological sites like Tulum
and Chichen Itza this site, commonly called
El Rey, is worth a visit and makes for an
interesting juxtaposition of Mexico's past
and present.
First entered into Western chronicles
in a 16th-century travelogue, then sighted
in 1842 by American explorer John Lloyd
Stephens and his draftsman, Frederick Catherwood,
the ruins were finally explored by archaeologists
in 1910, though excavations didn't begin
until 1954. In 1975 archaeologists, along
with the Mexican government, began restoration
work on the 47 structures.
Dating from the 3rd to 2nd century BC,
El Rey is notable for having two main plazas
bounded by two streets-most other Mayan
cities contain only one plaza. The pyramid
here is topped by a platform, and inside
its vault are paintings on stucco. Skeletons
interred both at the apex and at the base
indicate that the site may have been a royal
burial ground. Originally named Kin Ich
Ahau Bonil, Mayan for "king of the solar
countenance," the site was linked to astronomical
practices in the ancient Mayan culture.
In 2006, workmen unearthed an ancient Mayan
skeleton on the outskirts of the park.
Address: Blvd. Kukulcan, Km 17, Zona
Hotelera, Cancun, Quintana Roo, 77500 *
Phone: 998/849-2880 * Cost: $3.50; free
on Sun. * Open: Daily 8-4:30
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| Yamil Lu'um
Located on Cancun's highest point
(the name Yamil Lu'um means "hilly land"),
this archaeological site stands on the grounds
of the Park Royal Cancun, which means that
non-guests can only access the ruins from
the beach side. Although it comprises two
structures-one probably a temple, the other
probably a lighthouse-this is the smallest
of Cancun's ruins. Discovered in 1842 by
John Lloyd Stephens, the ruins date from
the late 13th or early 14th century. Keep
your eyes out for iguanas roaming around
the ruins. Address: Blvd. Kukulcan, Km 12, Zona
Hotelera, Cancun, Quintana Roo, 77500 *
Phone: No phone * Cost: Free * Open: Daily
9-5
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| El Meco Ruins
Near the Isla Mujeres ferry ports, the ruined
city of El Meco dates back to AD 300. An
impressive pyramid and the remains of an
opulent Mayan palace can be seen. Location: KM 2.7, Puerto Juarez - Punta
Sam, near the Isla Mujeres ferry.
Admission: 35 Pesos (about $3.00 U.S.) |
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Mexico Special Events
& Holidays
|
| Statutory Holidays |
| Date |
English name |
Spanish name |
|
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January 1 |
New Year's Day |
Año Nuevo |
First day of the
year. |
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February 5 |
Constitution day |
Día de la Constitución |
Celebrates the
Promulgation of the 1857 and 1917
Constitutions Observance: First
Monday of February. |
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March 21 |
Benito Juarez's birthday |
Natalicio de Benito Juarez |
Commemorates President
Benito Juarez's birthday on March
21, 1806 Observance: Third Monday
of March |
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May 1 |
Labor day |
Día del Trabajo |
Commemorates the
Mexican workers' union movements
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September 16 |
Independence Day |
Día de Independencia |
Commemorates the
start of the Independence War by
Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
in 1810 |
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November 20 |
Revolution day |
Día de la Revoluciíon |
Commemorates the
start of the Mexican Revolution
by Francisco I. Madero in 1910 Observance:
Third Monday of November. |
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December 1 |
Change of Federal Government |
Transmisiíon del Poder Ejecutivo
Federal |
Every six years,
when a new President is sworn in
office. Next observance: December
1, 2012. |
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December 25 |
Christmas |
Navidad |
Christmas celebration;
secular and religious holiday. |
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| Civic Holidays |
| Date |
English Name |
Spanish Name |
|
|
February 19 |
Army's Day |
Día del Ejercito |
Celebrates the
Mexican Army on the Loyalty Day
("Día de la Lealtad"), when President
Madero was escorted by the Cadets
of the Militar College to the National
Palace. |
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February 24 |
Flag Day |
Día de la Bandera |
Celebrates the
current Flag of Mexico and honors
the previous ones. Flag Day was
implemented by President Lazaro
Cadenas in 1937. |
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March 18 |
Anniversary of the Oil Expropriation |
Aniversario de la Expropiacion petrolera |
Celebrates the
Oil Expropriation by President Gral.
Lazaro Cadenas in 1938. |
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April 21 |
Heroic Defense of Veracruz |
Heroica Defensa de Veracruz |
Commemorates the
United States occupation of Veracruz
in 1914. |
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May 5 |
Fifth of May |
Cinco de Mayo |
Celebrates the
victory of the Mexican Army, led
by Gral. Ignacio Zaragoza, against
French forces in the city of Puebla,
on May 5, 1862. A lso widely celebrated
in the United States. US "celebration"
of this Mexican historical event
is largely a result of promotions
in the US by liquor, beer, and bars/taverns/clubs/restaurants
since the 1980s. For many years
Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the
US promoted Cinco de Mayo as Mexican
Independence Day which is actually
September 16. Although Mexican citizens
feel very proud of the meaning of
Cinco de Mayo, it is not a national
holiday in Mexico, but it is an
official holiday in the State of
Puebla where the mentioned battle
took place.
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May 8 |
Miguel Hidalgo's birthday |
Natalicio de Miguel Hidalgo |
Commemorates the
birth in 1753 of Miguel Hidalgo
y Costilla, the initiator of the
Mexican Independence War. |
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June 1 |
Marine's Day |
Dia de la Marina |
Celebrates the
Mexican Navy. |
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September 13 |
"Boy Heroes" or "Heroic Cadets" |
Dia de los Niiños Heroes |
Celebrates the
Battle of Chapultepec during the
Mexican-American War of 1847. |
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September 15 |
Cry of Dolores |
Grito de Dolores |
Celebrates the
Grito de Dolores, an event that
marked the start of the independence
war against Spain on the eve of
September 16, 1810. It took place
at a church chapel in Dolores Hidalgo,
Guanajuato, led by a Creole Catholic
priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.
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September 27 |
End of Independence War |
Consumacion de la Independencia |
Celebrates the
end of the Mexican Independence
War on 1821, 11 years after Father
Hidalgo started it. |
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September 30 |
Morelos' birthday |
Natalicio de Jose Maria Morelos
y Pavon |
Commemorates the
birth in 1765 of Father Jose Maria
Morelos y Pavon one of the founding
fathers of the Mexican nation. |
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October 12 |
Columbus Day |
Descubrimiento de America y Dia
de la Raza |
Commemorates
the Discovery of the Americas in
1492 by the Italian navigator Christopher
Columbus. It is also celebrates
La Raza. |
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| Festivities |
| Date |
English Name |
Spanish Name |
|
|
January 6 |
Epiphany |
Dia de los Santos Reyes |
Celebrates the
Biblical New Testament story of
the arrival of the three wise men
who each brought a gift to the Christ
child. Traditionally, children receive
toys, and people buy a pastry called
rosca de reyes. Anyone who bites
into the bread and finds a figurine
of the Christ child must host a
party for the Day of Candlemas (February
2). It is not a state holiday. |
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February 14 |
Valentine's Day |
Dia de San Valentin |
Celebrates amorous
unions. On this day, traditionally,
men give chocolates, flowers, jewelry,
dinner and serenade to their special
women, as well as to their female
friends. It is not a state holiday. |
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March or April |
Easter / Holy Week |
Pascua /
Semana Santa |
Holy Week and Easter. . Celebrations
and processions in observance of
Christ's resurrection. |
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April 30 |
Children's Day |
Dia del Niños |
Honors all the
children. It is not a state holiday. |
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May 10 |
Mother's Day |
Dia de las Madres |
Honors all the
mothers throughout the country.
It is not a state holiday. |
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May 15 |
Teacher's Day |
Dia del Maestro |
Honors all the
teachers throughout the country.
It is not a state holiday. |
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May 23 |
Student's Day |
Dia del estudiante |
Honors all the
students throughout the country.
It is not a state holiday. |
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Third Sunday of June |
Father's Day |
Dia del Padre |
Honors all the
fathers throughout the country.
It is not a state holiday. |
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November 1 |
All Saints' Day (Day of the Dead) |
Dia de Todos los Santos |
Honors dead relatives
and/or friends with candles, food
and flower offerings, altars, and
pre-Hispanic and Christian rituals.
It is not a state holiday. |
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November 2 |
All Souls' Day (Day of the Dead) |
Dia de los Fieles Difuntos |
Honors dead relatives
and/or friends (who were more
than 18 years of age or married)
with candles, food and flower offerings,
altars, and pre-Hispanic and Christian
rituals. It is not a state holiday. |
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December 12 |
Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe |
Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe |
Celebrates the
day that Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared
on Tepeyac hill to the native Juan
Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin. It is not
a state holiday. |
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December 16-24 |
Las Posadas |
Las Posadas |
Commemorates the
Biblical New Testament story of
Joseph and Mary's search for shelter
in Bethlehem. Consists of candlelight
processions as well as stops at
various nativity scenes. |
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December 24 |
Christmas Eve |
Nochebuena |
Celebrates the
eve of the nativity of Jesus, as
both a secular and religious winter
holiday. Las Posadas are celebrated
nine days before Nochebuena, usually
accompanied by a piñata party for
children and dance music for adults. |
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December 28 |
Day of the Innocents |
Dia de los Santos Inocentes |
On this day, people
pull practical jokes on each other.
It is equivalent to the U.S. version
of April Fools Day (April 1). People
must not believe anything that other
people say nor let them borrow any
amount of money. If any person has
fallen victim of the joke, the person
pulling the joke will say ¿Inocente
palomita...!, literally meaning
'Innocent little dove' (equivalent
to saying April Fools!). |
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| Cancun, Quintana Roo
and Yucatan Holidays/Festivals |
|
Date
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January 10 |
Constitution Day
of the State of Quintana Roo
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January 11 |
Anniversary of the
reinstatement of Quintana Roo as
a territory |
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Carnaval Cancun |
Begins the week before
Ash Wednesday. Locals dress in elaborate
costume and parade through the streets
of downtown Cancun. Carnival atmosphere
fill the streets with parades, food,
music and dancing. |
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March 20, 21 |
Vernal Equinox. On
the morning and evenings of Equinox
March 20, 21 and September 21, 22
thousands flock to Chichen Itza's
main temple at to see the descent
of the serpent Kukulcan. History
has it that the Maya constructed
the temple in a way that during
equinox a beam of sunlight creates
a shadow moving down towards earth
resembling a slithering snake. This
occurrence is supposed to bring
out a good harvest. |
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September 21, 22 |
Autumnal Equinox.
. On the morning and evenings of
Equinox March 20, 21 and September
21, 22 thousands flock to Chichen
Itza's main temple at to see the
descent of the serpent Kukulcan.
History has it that the Maya constructed
the temple in a way that during
equinox a beam of sunlight creates
a shadow moving down towards earth
resembling a slithering snake. This
occurrence is supposed to bring
out a good harvest. |
| November |
Caribbean Culture
Festival is
a one week event in November (dates
vary) and is presented by regional
cities, including Cancun.
Events include Caribbean music performances,
Mexican poetry readings and art
exhibits by Latin American and Caribbean
artists. |
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