Here’s our regular round up of upcoming Cancun, Riviera Maya and Yucatan events and festivals in the next few months.
Camino de Las Flores, Merida, March 25 and April
For the third year running, Merida’s La Mejorada neighborhood will be transformed into an urban garden by the Camino de Las Flores, the path of the flowers. This colorful walkway of plants, flowers, hedges and shrubs and trees clipped into the shapes of native birds and animals will lead to La Mejorada Convent and the Museum of Popular Art. Organizers have promised that this year’s garden display will be bigger and even more beautiful than previous years and will attract visitors throughout April.
Fundadores 2018 International Riviera Maya Fishing Tournament, Playa del Carmen, April 13-15
This tournament attracts fishermen from all over the state and the Caribbean. Competitors are asked to follow catch and release policy to help preserve fish stocks.
Second Cozumel Emerald Hummingbird Festival, Cozumel, April 13 -14
Bird watchers will be gathering on the island of Cozumel in April to learn more about the Cozumel Emerald Hummingbird (Chlorostilbon forficatus), a beautiful little bird found nowhere else in the world. There will be seminars and birding trips and a Cozumel Birding App with information on the island’s resident and migrant species will be unveiled. A second, larger Bird Festival is organized on the island in October.
Cozumel has several endemic species of birds and mammals, including the Cozumel Thrasher, Cozumel Vireo and the dwarf raccoon.
Anniversary of the Founding of Cancun, April 20
Cancun turns 48! The celebrations include masses, processions, exhibitions and more to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of Cancun.
Cancun International Capitan Armando Ferrat Fishing Tournament 2018, Cancun, April 20-22
This tournament attracts fishermen from all over the state and the Caribbean. Competitors are asked to follow catch and release policy to help preserve fish stocks.
Regatta del Sol al Sol, Isla Mujeres, April 27 – May 6
The 50th year of this famous yacht race from the St. Petersburg Yacht Club in Florida to Isla Mujeres. The event also features parties for the yacht crews and islanders, excursions and a race around Isla Mujeres.
Fiestas de la Santa Cruz, Feria de El Cedral, Cozumel, April 26 – May 3
This traditional festival commemorates the day of the Santa Cruz and the arrival of the island’s 21 founding families in 1848, fleeing from the Caste War that broke out in the Yucatan Peninsula in 1847.
500 Years of Cozumel, May 2017-2018
Cozumel commemorates the 500th anniversary of the first encounter that Spanish explorers had with the Maya of Quintana Roo in 1517 and 1518.
The Cozumel: 500 Years, the Meeting of Two Cultures festival began in 2017 and concludes in May 2018 with a series of events such as exhibitions, concerts, seminars and more.
Puerto Morelos Fishing Tournaments, late April – early May
Cesar Martin Rosado Tournament, Puerto Morelos, April 27-29
Don Andres Garcia Lavin Tournament, Puerto Morelos, May 4-6
Tulum Food, Spirits & Wine Festival, Tulum, May 21-27
Celebrating Mexican cuisine in Tulum. Gala dinners with three-course menus. Visit the Festival website at tulumfswf.com for more information.
Travesía Sagrada Maya, Xcaret and Cozumel, May 25-26
The Sacred Mayan Crossing is the reenactment of an ancient pilgrimage. Oarsmen set sail from the port of Pole (now Xcaret) in wooden canoes bound for the island of Cozumel where they will worship at the shrine of Ixchel, the Maya goddess of the moon and fertility.
Anniversary of the Foundation of Valladolid, May 28-29
The colonial town of Valladolid celebrates the anniversary of its founding in 1543 with masses, serenades, traditional dances and a candlelit procession to the Convent of San Bernardino de Siena.
Navy Day in Puerto Morelos, June 1
Puerto Morelos has a small naval base and on June 1, Navy Day, the whole town turns out to celebrate el Día de la Marina or Navy Day. Events include a boat procession and a swimming race. This is a great way to meet local people and join the party.
Commemorating La Chispa in Valladolid, June 4
The population of Valladolid turns out on the night of June 4 to witness the representation of a rebellion against injustice in 1910 that was the first spark or chispa of the Mexican Revolution.
More than 800 actors take part in La Chispa. Dressed in authentic turn-of-the-century garb, they play the parts of the rebels, ruling aristocrats, and the police and soldiers sent to arrest them.
After marches through the streets to the main square, the evening culminates with the trial and mock execution by firing squad of the leaders of the rebellion.
La Diosa del Mar Women’s International Fishing Tournament, Puerto Morelos, July 13 & 14
Catch and release international fishing tournament.
Check the Royal Resorts blog for listings of more Cancun, Riviera Maya and Yucatan events during the year.
