Sacred Mayan Crossing – Journey to Cozumel

Accompanied by the deep sound of conch shells, rhythmic drumbeats and the chants of Mayan priests, and with the heady fragrance of copal incense in the air, more than 300 oarsmen boarded their wooden canoes in the caleta or creek at Xcaret at dawn on May 18 and set sail bound for the island of Cozumel. They are participating in the annual sacred journey called the Travesía Sagrada Maya or Sacred Mayan Crossing, which emulates the pilgrimages the Maya made thousands of years ago to worship at the shrine of Ixchel, the goddess of the moon, fertility and childbirth. A journey of enlightenment that holds particular significance in 2012 as one cycle in the ancient Mayan calendar draws to a close this December and another one begins, ushering in a new era.

Xcaret is the site of the Mayan port of Pole, an important trade enclave in ancient times and the departure point for the pilgrims who would journey there from all over the Yucatán to make the perilous crossing to Cozumel. On the island they would consult the oracle and request help from the goddess.

The goddess of fertility and childbirth, Ixchel was the wife of Itzamna, the venerable god of learning. Her name is derived from “Ix” or female and “Chel,” which means white-skinned in Maya and is thought to refer to the moon. Her lunar association gave her power over the waves and tides and as such she was the patron of the sea and of fishing. Her power could also be malignant and could result in floods and destruction. She had different manifestations, sometimes depicted as a young woman or as an old crone in the Dresden Codex, and is said to have taught women the art of weaving. The most important shrines in her honor were on the island of Cozumel and there was a smaller temple on Isla Mujeres.

Today’s Seafarers on a Quest
After months of hard training and getting up at dawn, the modern-day remeros or oarsmen participating in the Sacred Mayan Crossing are embarking on their own personal pilgrimage. They come from Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Yucatán and other parts of Mexico. Some are Mayan, others were drawn by challenge of the canoe voyage, others are seeking inner peace, but all share an unbreakable bond, a love of the sea and of this timeless land.

In fragile canoes made from hollowed out tree trunks, defying winds, waves and powerful ocean currents, they are following the ancient maritime route to the holy island known to the ancient Maya as Cuzamil or Cutzamil, the “land of the swallows.”

I kii´wik, Mayan Market
The celebrations began the evening of May 17 with the representation of a Kii’wik or ancient Mayan market against the candlelit backdrop of the temples in the archaeological site in Xcaret Park. Painstakingly reproduced to be as authentic as possible, it pays tribute to the importance of trade in Mayan culture and the role of Pole as a major port on the maritime route through the Caribbean. Merchants show their wares, including feathers, shells, jade, salt, honey, cotton, copal or pom and barter for them with cacao beans, a lucrative cash crop and the accepted currency throughout the Maya World during the Post-Classic period of Mayan history (1250 – 1519 A.D.).

Mayan Market – Xcaret Park

A purification ceremony for the oarsmen followed later in the evening and each one made an offering of copal to the goddess Ixchel and was blessed by the priests.

The ritual drew to a conclusion with Mayan dances symbolizing fire, rebirth, life and death, the young goddess Ixchel, the exploits of the Heavenly Twins who defied the Lords of Death, and the planting of a ceiba, the sacred Mayan world tree, which links the heavens, the earth and the Underworld.

Setting Sail at Sunrise, Cozumel Bound, May 18
As dawn broke on May 18, Mayan priests and rulers blessed the oarsmen and bid them farewell as they departed for Cozumel, their canoes laden with offerings for Ixchel.

The crossing can take between six and eight hours depending on sea and weather conditions and the oarsmen  arrived on Cozumel at 11:30 a.m., May 18, making landfall in the Caletita next to the lighthouse. The Halach Uinic or Mayan lord and his subjects welcomed them ashore and later they make their way to the ancient shrine of Ixchel.

Sacred Mayan Crossing

In the evening at 8 p.m. in Chankanaab Park, the ancient rites in honor of Ixchel are reenacted. Ah Puch, the God of Death makes an entrance in a sign that time has stood still and mankind has disappeared. The oarsmen and couples who wish for children then pray to the goddess for fertility, new life and the restoration of balance in the cosmos. Ixchel will speak to the supplicants through the oracle or priestess who is her voice, giving them a message of hope for the new baktun or cycle, the dawn of a new era of harmony and consciousness. The New Fire ceremony, a ritual for renewal is also performed.

The Return Journey, May 19
At dawn on May 19, the islanders gather to send the pilgrims on their way with their message of renewal and rebirth. The fleet sets sail towards the west, bound for Playa del Carmen, site of the ancient port of Xaman-Há. They are due to arrive at Playa Fundadores next to the Ferry dock between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and will be welcomed by the Mayan ruler, the head priest and women from the community, eager to hear the words of Ixchel and receive her blessing. There are celebrations with dances and music to mark the beginning of the new era.

Sacred Mayan Crossing

This is the sixth time the Sacred Mayan Journey has been organized by Xcaret with the cooperation of the authorities in Cozumel and Playa del Carmen. The anthropologists, archaeologists and historians working at the Riviera Maya’s famous park’s have done exhaustive research to make this journey into the past as authentic as possible.

Photos courtesy of Travesía Sagrada Maya

]]> http://www.royalresortsnews.com/news/travesia-sagrada-mayasacred-mayan-crossing-2012/feed/ 0 http://www.royalresortsnews.com/notes-from-paradise/beach-thursday/week-18-2012/ http://www.royalresortsnews.com/notes-from-paradise/beach-thursday/week-18-2012/#comments Thu, 17 May 2012 22:07:21 +0000 admin http://www.royalresortsnews.com/?p=10480 It’s Beach Thursday at Royal Resorts!

Many thanks to Royal Resorts members and guests Shannon B, Gerry H, Erika S, Kimberly B, Michael J and Linda for sharing their beautiful vacation memories.

Erika S, Kimberly B and Michael J shared the following beautiful pictures taken at The Royal Sands

Gerry H and Linda shared these beautiful shots taken at The Royal Haciendas

Shannon B shared the following great pictures taken at The Royal Caribbean

About “Beach Thursday”

Every Thursday, we invite our members and guests to share their best beach vacation pictures. We then select the best pictures and post them here, on our Facebook page, and our Twitter account. You can post your pictures at our Facebook page, Email us your pictures , tag us in your Facebook photo albums or, if you are currently on vacation with us, bring them to our offices at The Royal Sands. Just ask front desk for directions to the E-commerce Department and we’ll be happy to download your photos.

Español:

¿Qué es el “Jueves de Playa”?

Cada jueves, invitamos a nuestros socios y huéspedes a enviarnos sus fotos de vacaciones en la playa; seleccionamos las mejores y las publicamos aquí, en nuestra página de Facebook, y en nuestra cuenta de Twitter. Todos nuestros socios y huéspedes están invitados a participar. Pueden subir sus fotos en nuestra pagina de Facebook, enviárnoslas por email, o, si se encuentran actualmente disfrutando de sus vacaciones en la playa en los Royal Resorts, pueden traerlas directamente a nuestras oficinas ubicadas en el Royal Sands. Pregunten en recepción por direcciones para llegar al Deparatamento de E-Commerce, y con gusto los ayudamos a bajar sus fotos.

Do you know about Royal Resorts?

More than 85,000 families already vacation the Royal Resorts way, enjoying an award-winning brand of accommodation, activities and hospitality. If you don’t know Royal Resorts yet, why not take a moment of your time to see all that Royal Resorts has to offer you? Discover Royal Resorts and learn why we have a 97% member satisfaction rate.

Special Promotions

Take advantage of our special promotions and join the thousands of satisfied members and guests of The Royal Resorts!

The Royal Cancun

The Royal Haciendas, Riviera Maya

Check out last week’s Beach Thursday

Sea Turtle

Big and Beautiful

From mid-May to mid-September, whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), gather in the northern waters of the Mexican Caribbean off the island of Holbox and in the ocean deeps to the east of Contoy and Isla Mujeres,  referred to by seafarers, divers and fishermen as “blue water.” What draws the world’s largest fish (they can be up to 12 meters or 40 feet long) here? The answer is food! They are filter feeders and cruise through the warm surface waters with their mouths open, rather like vacuum cleaners, sucking up the plankton that is plentiful in the summer. But marine biologists have also discovered that these gentle giants are partial to fish roe, in this case to the eggs of the bonito which spawns  during the warmest months of the year. The largest whale shark gathering anywhere in the world was registered here in 2009, a staggering 420 of these huge creatures in one place at one time! Scientists believe that as many as 1,400 of these gentle giants migrate through the area during the summer.

Known as the tiburón ballena in Spanish, local fishermen also refer to the whale shark to the pez domino or domino fish due to its dappled grey or dark blue skin. Biologists working in the Mexican Caribbean use the distinctive markings to compile catalogs of individual fish sightings. When divers encounter a whale shark they take a photo of a patch of skin behind the gills and above the left pectoral fin. The pattern of dots and stripes recorded does not change or fade with age and can be used to identify individual fish, almost like a fingerprint. The location of the fish is recorded with a GPS reading and the findings are used to monitor whale shark movements. Some whale sharks are even being marked with a satellite sensor to study migration patterns.

In recognition of the area’s importance for migrating whale sharks, in 2009, Mexican President Felipe Calderon declared the stretch of ocean off Holbox and Cabo Catoche a biosphere reserve.

Whale shark movements are still wrapped in mystery and scientists have much to learn about this enigmatic species. They are known to move from the Gulf of Mexico into the Mexican Caribbean and south to Belize and the Bay Islands in the Gulf of Honduras during the year, and some have even been tracked to Brazil. They also gather around Ningaloo Reef off the coast of Australia and there are other congregation zones in Fiji, the Seychelles and Baja California.

For nature lovers, divers and seafarers, a whale shark sighting is the highlight of a summer vacation in the Mexican Caribbean. You’ll learn a great deal about them from your knowledgeable eco guide and during the boat trip out to the whale shark area you may also spot dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays and a variety of seabirds.

Thomas More Travel offers whale shark trips and for more information and reservations check www.thomasmoretravel.com

Don’t forget your camera, take water and a hat and wear a t-shirt instead of applying sun lotion, even if it is labeled as biodegradable. You should always rinse lotion off before entering the water. If you are prone to seasickness, Dramamine or ginger tablets are recommended, as there may be a swell especially en route to the “blue water” east of Contoy.

When a whale shark is spotted, only two swimmers per boat enter the water with their guide. They must swim alongside the fish, never in front of it and should keep a distance of five meters. Swimmers should never attempt to touch whale sharks. Other regulations limit the number of boats in the whale shark area, they also must keep their distance and must not pursue or harass the fish.

If you are interested in learning more about whale sharks, the latest research findings and conservation initiatives underway around the world don’t miss the Isla Mujeres Whale Shark Festival, July 21 – 24.

The First Sea Turtle of the Season
May also marks the start of the green and loggerhead turtle nesting season in the Mexican Caribbean and the annual campaign to protect these ancient creatures as they lay their eggs. Royal Resorts has already welcomed its first turtle, a green turtle that laid 107 eggs on the beach at The Royal Mayan!

Royal Resorts Sea Turtle Protection Program

The Quintana Roo coast is one of the world’s most important nesting areas for the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and also welcomes the loggerhead (Caretta caretta), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and the occasional leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), the largest and rarest of the world’s eight turtle species.

Biologists, hotel personnel, members of the armed forces and volunteers participate in the statewide conservation campaign. They patrol beaches in Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve where turtles come ashore and are on the lookout as they emerge from the sea and struggle up the beach to dig their nests in the sand. Their presence helps deter poachers and keeps predators such as dogs, raccoons, seabirds and crabs away from the nests and eggs.

Royal Resorts is proud to participate in the campaign and has been protecting turtles since 1985. Formal record keeping began in 1998 and to date, Royal Resorts has protected 4,797 turtle nests and released 367,377 hatchlings. 2011 was a record-breaking year with a tally of 581 sea turtle nests and 61,499 babies and we hope that 2012 will be equally fruitful.

During the summer nights, security guards at The Royal Sands, The Royal Mayan, The Royal Caribbean and The Royal Islander stand guard over our turtle visitors. When they encounter a female turtle, they watch from a distance as she laboriously digs her nest and then move in to tag and measure her when she begins to lay her eggs. She may lay anything from 80 to 120 eggs and sometimes up to 200!

The clutch of eggs is collected and transferred to an enclosure further up the beach out of harm’s way. Guards must dig a nest that emulates the shape and depth of the original nest and label it with details of the species, the number of eggs, the date and time. They keep watch over the corral and patiently wait for the first baby of the season.

The eggs hatch 45 to 60 days later and resort guests help staff release the baby turtles at dusk. Watching these tiny creatures make that dash down the beach to the waves is always an emotional experience. Hopefully, in 12 to 15 years, some of them will return to the beaches of the Mexican Caribbean to lay their own eggs.

You can Help Protect the Sea Turtles

Royal Resorts Turtle Protection Program – Photo: Christopher O.

Turtles have been swimming the oceans for 100 million years, however centuries of overhunting for their eggs, meat, shell and oil, and modern-day threats such as pollution, climate change and habitat loss has brought them to the brink of extinction. They need our help and deserve our respect. If you are coming down during the summer, join us in protecting these beautiful creatures by following these guidelines.

If you see a turtle on the beach

* Alert the security staff.

* Be very quiet and keep still

* Watch from a distance (five meters) and do not attempt to touch the turtle or crowd her.

* Do not shine a torch in her direction or use your flash when taking pictures.

* If you bring your children to help release the hatchlings, make sure that they follow instructions

* No flash photography.

* No smoking


* Keep the beaches and oceans clean. Plastic bags, beer packaging and fishing lines floating in the water are lethal to turtles and other marine life.

If the turtle is frightened by loud noises, people and bright lights, she will leave the beach without nesting and lay her eggs in the water, thus losing the entire clutch (90 to 110 eggs).

Under Mexican law it is illegal to persecute and hunt sea turtles or steal their eggs. The consumption of eggs or meat and the purchase of products or creams made from tortoiseshell are also prohibited.

Don’t miss our Turtle News
As the nesting season progresses, Royal Resorts will be keeping you updated with turtle news, letting you know how our special maritime Moms are doing when they begin to arrive and when the first babies of the year hatch. Stay posted!

Were you featured in our Week 18, 2012 at The Royal Islander & The Royal Haciendasvideo? Let us know | Want to join in the fun? Check out Cancun & Riviera Maya travel deals | Want to know more about the Royal Resorts? Check out our section “Do you know about Royal Resorts?” | Get an email everytime we publish new videos, subscribe to The Royal Resorts News Blog email updates!

Many thanks to Royal Resorts members and guests Barbara, Del N, Kimberly B, Luciana M, Jean & Pete W and Lisa M for sharing their beautiful vacation memories.

Kimberly B, Barbara and Del N shared the following beautiful pictures taken at The Royal Sands

Welcome Home – The Royal Sands – Photo by Kimberly B

Amazing sunrises at The Royal Sands – Photo by Barbara

Beach crowd at The Royal Sands – Photo by Barbara

View from The Royal Sands – Photo by Del N

Mike L and Luciana M shared these beautiful shots taken at The Royal Haciendas

Infinity Pool at The Royal Haciendas – Photo by Mike L

Warm Family moments at The Royal Haciendas

Photo: Luciana Misura

The Royal Haciendas

Photo: Luciana Misura

Jean & Pete W, Mike L and Lisa M shared the following great pictures taken at The Royal Caribbean

The Royal Caribbean – Photo by Jean & Pete W

Refreshments after pool volleyball – The Royal Caribbean – Photo by Mike L

Sunset over the lagoon – The Royal Caribbean – Photo by Lisa M

Bonus Photo:

Shannon B shared this amazing aerial view of Cancun, taken from the plane window on her way back home.

Cancun, 2012

Great shot! we can’t help but notice the stark contrast between this modern view of Cancun and this other similar aerial view, taken 42 years ago (back in 1970!):

Cancun, Hotel Zone strip – 1970

Did you know? Our beloved Cancun is growing up, the city just turned 42 on April 20 this year.

The lively Hotel Zone strip was a narrow sand bar covered by coconut palm plantations, mangroves and low-growing coastal shrubs and dotted with several tiny Mayan temples. The only visitors it received apart from birds and nesting sea turtles, were the caretakers of a beach house belonging to an Isla Mujeres businessman and fishermen from the tiny village of Puerto Juarez. How it was selected as the site of Mexico’s first Caribbean resort is a long story…

About “Beach Thursday”

Every Thursday, we invite our members and guests to share their best beach vacation pictures. We then select the best pictures and post them here, on our Facebook page, and our Twitter account. You can post your pictures at our Facebook page, Email us your pictures , tag us in your Facebook photo albums or, if you are currently on vacation with us, bring them to our offices at The Royal Sands. Just ask front desk for directions to the E-commerce Department and we’ll be happy to download your photos.

Español:

¿Qué es el “Jueves de Playa”?

Cada jueves, invitamos a nuestros socios y huéspedes a enviarnos sus fotos de vacaciones en la playa; seleccionamos las mejores y las publicamos aquí, en nuestra página de Facebook, y en nuestra cuenta de Twitter. Todos nuestros socios y huéspedes están invitados a participar. Pueden subir sus fotos en nuestra pagina de Facebook, enviárnoslas por email, o, si se encuentran actualmente disfrutando de sus vacaciones en la playa en los Royal Resorts, pueden traerlas directamente a nuestras oficinas ubicadas en el Royal Sands. Pregunten en recepción por direcciones para llegar al Deparatamento de E-Commerce, y con gusto los ayudamos a bajar sus fotos.

Do you know about Royal Resorts?

More than 85,000 families already vacation the Royal Resorts way, enjoying an award-winning brand of accommodation, activities and hospitality. If you don’t know Royal Resorts yet, why not take a moment of your time to see all that Royal Resorts has to offer you? Discover Royal Resorts and learn why we have a 97% member satisfaction rate.

Special Promotions

Take advantage of our special promotions and join the thousands of satisfied members and guests of The Royal Resorts!

The Royal Cancun

The Royal Haciendas, Riviera Maya

Check out last week’s Beach Thursday

Indulge with some spa pampering with a Mother’s Day special including an exfoliation for hands and feet, a capillary mask and a 60-minute facial. Shop for swimwear at La Paloma Gift Shop and take advantage of May 10 discounts for Moms.

When it comes to dining, your family will want to treat you like a queen as you deserve with dinner in one of the Royal Resorts restaurants. Try the mouthwatering Mother’s Day seafood menu at Captain’s Cove on the shores of the lagoon and get a 20 percent discount. Stay on for music and after-dinner entertainment at Pancho & Willy’s Bar.

Enjoy time-honored Mexican hospitality at Hacienda Sisal next toThe Royal Sands and choose your favorite dishes from the a la carte menu. A Mother’s Day discount is available from May 9 to 13, 2012 (the special 20 percent discount is available for dinner only, applies to the a la carte menu, not for the Mexican or Caribbean dinner shows, not applicable with other promotions).

A Prime Rib special is on offer at The Royal Sands for $349 pesos per person, it includes soup or salad and the Chef’s special dessert. Other options include dinner by the beach at La Palapa in The Royal Cancun, or a family dinner at La Palapa in The Royal Mayan, Tradewinds in The Royal Caribbean or Cayo Largo in The Royal Islander.

At The Royal Haciendas in the Riviera Maya, dine at La Palapa del Sol or at Los Murales. Our seafood restaurant will open specially on Sunday for guests who wish to take Mom out for an unforgettable evening of fine seafood.

Guests looking for ways to pamper someone very special can also say it with flowers. The Royal Market stocks a selection of fresh flowers and floral arrangements may be ordered from the catalog in the stores or using the online ordering service with villa delivery.

A variety of wines, champagnes and chocolates are also available at the resort stores.

Information is subject to change without prior notice.

* Events, dates and locations are subject to change.

* (t.b.c.) Dates unavailable at this time.

2012

May

Sea Turtle Nesting Season begins in the Mexican Caribbean
Festival of the Santa Cruz or Holy Cross, Cozumel, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Tulum, Mayan communities in the districts of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Jose Maria Morelos and Lazaro Cardenas and Acanceh in Yucatan, May 1-8
Feria del Cedral. Cozumel, April 28 – May 3
Cesar Martin Rosado Fishing Tournament, Puerto Morelos, May 4-6
Governor’s Cup Fishing Tournament, Majahual, Costa Maya, May  6-8
Mother’s Day, May 10
Sport Fishing Tournament, Cozumel, May 11-13
San Isidro Labrador, Panaba, Yucatan, May 15
Whale Shark Season begins, Holbox, Isla Mujeres, May 15
Mayan Sacred Crossing, Xcaret to Cozumel, May 17 – 19
Sixth Annual Copa del Rey International Polo Tournament, Puerto Morelos, May 17 – 20
Feria de las Hamacas, Tekom, Yucatan, May 20
Island Fishing Tournament, Isla Mujeres, May 18-20
Andres Garcia Lavin Fishing Tournament, Puerto Morelos May 25-27
Aguas Abiertas Swimming Marathon, Bacalar, May 26-27

June

Navy Day Celebrations in Cozumel and Puerto Morelos, June 1
Dorado de Plata Fishing Tournament, Majahual, June 8-10
La Chispa, series of events commemorating Valladolid’s role in starting the Mexican Revolution, Valladolid, Yucatan, June 3-4
Festival de la Miel, Mayan Ceremony and Honey Harvest Festival, Xel-Ha, June 2
San Antonio de Padua, Chemax, Yucatan, June 7 – 13
Mundo Maya Tourism Industry Fair, Merida, June 18-21
Father’s Day, June 19
Fifth Whale Shark Festival, Isla Mujeres, June 21 – 24
Summer Solstice, Chichen Itza June 20
Dia de San Juan Bautista, Dzilam de Bravo, Yucatan, June 24
Copa Majahual Sport Fishing Tournament, Majahual, June 23-24
Por La Libre Annual Swimming Race across the bay from Cancun to Isla Mujeres, June 26
Dia de San Pedro y San Pablo, Cozumel, June 29

July

Cancun Triathlon, Puerto Morelos
Anniversary of Foundation of Ticul, Traditional Fair in Ticul, Yucatan (mid July)
La Virgen de Carmen, Playa del Carmen, Motul, July 16
Fishing Tournament July 17 – 18, Playa del Carmen
Anniversary of the start of the Caste War, Tihosuco, July 27 – 30
Mayan Culture Day, Quintana Roo State, July 30

August

Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Ringing of Young Flamingos, Rio Lagartos, Yucatan (t.b.c.)
Celebrity Golf Tournament, Cozumel Country Club, Cozumel (t.b.c)
Jatsa-Ha Festival, Majahual (t.b.c)
Anniversary of the foundation of Isla Mujeres, August 12-17
Virgin de la Asuncion, Izamal, Muna, Yucatan, August 15
Traditional Festival, Mani, Yucatan, August 20-26
Fiesta de la Virgen Maria, Tixkakal Guardia, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, August 23 – 29

September

Festival of the Virgin de la Caridad de Cobre, Isla Mujeres. A procession of boats with the statue of the Virgin de la Caridad at the head sets out on a pilgrimage to Contoy Island, September 11
Mexican Independence, September 15-16
Feria de San Ramon, Izamal, Yucatan, September 16
Equinox, Chichen Itza, Yucatan, September 22 (sunset)
Equinox, Dzibilchaltun, Yucatan, September 22 (sunrise)
Fiestas de San Miguel Arcangel, Cozumel, September 21–29
Fiesta del Cristo de las Ampollas, Merida, September 27

October

Cancun ITU Triathlon Wold Cup, Cancun, October 6-7
Festival de Otono/Autumn Cultural Festival, Merida, October – December 13
Cancun Travel Mart, Cancun Convention Center (t.b.c)
Columbus Day, October 12
Sea Turtle Festival, Tulum, Xcacel & Akumal, Riviera Maya, October (t.b.c.)
El Cristo de Sitilpech, Izamal, October 18

November

Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead, November 1 & 2
Festival of Life & Death Traditions, Xcaret, October 30 – November 2
Xel-Ha Triathlon, Xel-Ha Park (t.b.c)
Feria de Yucatan, Merida
Seventh Festival de Cultura del Caribe Maya, Isla Mujeres, November 14-18
Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution, November 20
Riviera Maya Jazz Festival, Playa Mamitas, Playa del Carmen, November 22-24
Second International Meeting of Poets, Isla Mujeres, November 22-25
IronMan Cozumel, November 25
Yucatan Bird Festival, Merida, November t.b.c.

December

International Marathon, Cancun, December
Dia de la Virgen de la Concepcion, patron saint of Izamal, December 7 – 13, and on Isla Mujeres where a statue of the Virgin is taken out into the bay at the head of a procession of fishing boats on December 8. On Isla Mujeres festivities take place from November 26 -December 8.
Mañanitas de Flor y Canto, traditional serenade to honor the Virgin of Guadalupe, Xcaret, December 11
Fiesta de la Virgen de Guadalupe, throughout Mexico, December 12
Feria de la Naranja (Orange Fair), Oxkutzcab, Yucatán (first two weeks of December)
Festival de la Miel, Mayan Ceremony and Honey Harvest Festival, Xel-Ha, December (t.b.c)
Winter Solstice, December 21
The end of a cycle in the ancient Mayan Calendar, dawn of a new era, December 21-23, Chichen Itza
Christmas Eve, December 24
Christmas Day, December 25
Día de los Santos Inocentes, apart from its religious significance, this day is the Mexican equivalent of April Fools Day, with elaborate stories being told to try and catch the unsuspecting out, December 28
The BPM Festival, Playa del Carmen, December 30-January 8, 2013
New Year’s Eve, December 31

Were you featured in our Week 17, 2012 at The Royal Islander video? Let us know | Want to join in the fun? Check out Cancun & Riviera Maya travel deals | Want to know more about the Royal Resorts? Check out our section “Do you know about Royal Resorts?” | Get an email everytime we publish new videos, subscribe to The Royal Resorts News Blog email updates!

U.S. Dollar: 12.90 pesos per dollar
Canadian Dollar: 12.55 pesos per dollar
Euro: 16.50 pesos per Euro

Last Updated: May 15, 2012.

¿Cual es el tipo de cambio actual en los  Royal Resorts?

Dólar Americano: 12.90 pesos por dólar
Dólar Canadiense: 12.55 pesos por dólar
Euro: 16.50 pesos por Euro

Ultima Actualización: 15 de Mayo 2012.

Many thanks to Royal Resorts members and guests Shannon B, Mike L, Valorie B, Del N and Barbara for sharing their beautiful vacation memories.

Barbara and Del N shared the following beautiful pictures taken at The Royal Sands

The Royal Sands – Photo by Del N

The Royal Sands – Photo by Barbara

The Royal Sands – Photo by Barbara

The Royal Sands – Photo by Barbara

Mike L and Valorie B shared these beautiful shots taken at The Royal Haciendas

The Royal Haciendas – Photo by Valorie B

The Royal Haciendas – Photo by Mike L

Shannon B shared the following great pictures taken at The Royal Caribbean

The Royal Caribbean – Photo by Shannon B

The Royal Caribbean – Photo by Shannon B

The Royal Caribbean – Photo by Royal Resorts

Bonus Photo:

Shannon B shared this amazing aerial view of Cancun, taken from the plane window on her way back home.

Cancun, 2012

Great shot! we can’t help but notice the stark contrast between this modern view of Cancun and this other similar aerial view, taken 42 years ago (back in 1970!):

Cancun, Hotel Zone strip – 1970

Did you know? Our beloved Cancun is growing up, the city just turned 42 on April 20 this year.

The lively Hotel Zone strip was a narrow sand bar covered by coconut palm plantations, mangroves and low-growing coastal shrubs and dotted with several tiny Mayan temples. The only visitors it received apart from birds and nesting sea turtles, were the caretakers of a beach house belonging to an Isla Mujeres businessman and fishermen from the tiny village of Puerto Juarez. How it was selected as the site of Mexico’s first Caribbean resort is a long story…

About “Beach Thursday”

Every Thursday, we invite our members and guests to share their best beach vacation pictures. We then select the best pictures and post them here, on our Facebook page, and our Twitter account. You can post your pictures at our Facebook page, Email us your pictures , tag us in your Facebook photo albums or, if you are currently on vacation with us, bring them to our offices at The Royal Sands. Just ask front desk for directions to the E-commerce Department and we’ll be happy to download your photos.

Español:

¿Qué es el “Jueves de Playa”?

Cada jueves, invitamos a nuestros socios y huéspedes a enviarnos sus fotos de vacaciones en la playa; seleccionamos las mejores y las publicamos aquí, en nuestra página de Facebook, y en nuestra cuenta de Twitter. Todos nuestros socios y huéspedes están invitados a participar. Pueden subir sus fotos en nuestra pagina de Facebook, enviárnoslas por email, o, si se encuentran actualmente disfrutando de sus vacaciones en la playa en los Royal Resorts, pueden traerlas directamente a nuestras oficinas ubicadas en el Royal Sands. Pregunten en recepción por direcciones para llegar al Deparatamento de E-Commerce, y con gusto los ayudamos a bajar sus fotos.

Do you know about Royal Resorts?

More than 85,000 families already vacation the Royal Resorts way, enjoying an award-winning brand of accommodation, activities and hospitality. If you don’t know Royal Resorts yet, why not take a moment of your time to see all that Royal Resorts has to offer you? Discover Royal Resorts and learn why we have a 97% member satisfaction rate.

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The Royal Cancun

The Royal Haciendas, Riviera Maya

Check out last week’s Beach Thursday