Here’s our regular round up of festivals and events to look forward to in the Mexican Caribbean and the Yucatán in the next few months.
Cozumel Carnival, February 22-28
Dating from 1876, Cozumel Carnival is the oldest Carnival in the Yucatan Peninsula and one of the oldest in Mexico. The festivities begin on February 22 with the coronation of the Carnival King and Queen, there are parades on February 25, 26 and 28 and the event draws to close on March 1 with the traditional burning of the Juan Carnaval figure.
Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Merida, Campeche and Valladolid will also be holding their own Carnival celebrations in late February.
Isla Mujeres Carnival, February 26-29
Isla Blanca Kite Festival, Feb 25 and 26
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Isla Blanca north of Punta Sam.
Cancun & Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival, March 15-19
Leading chefs and sommeliers from Mexico and the United States gather in Cancun and the Riviera Maya for the annual Wine & Food Festival, March 15-19
The 2017 festival line up features events ranging from celebrity chef conferences, a homage to Mexico’s most famous street food, taco star with star chefs, wine and spirits tastings hosted by leading sommeliers, a cruise, gala dinners and more.
More information and tickets: wineandfoodfest.com
Spring Equinox at Chichen Itza, March 20-22
The famous light and shadow serpent of Kukulcan appears on El Castillo Pyramid at Chichen Itza and descends from the heavens at sunset on the day of the Spring Equinox (March 20-21). It is also visible the day before and after, cloud cover permitting.
Elsewhere in the Yucatan, at dawn on the day of the Equinox the rising sun appears through the doorway of the Temple of the Dolls in the ancient city of Dzibilchaltun to the north of Merida.
The spring equinox officially falls on March 20 in 2017 but the largest gathering at Chichen Itza takes place on March 21, a national holiday in Mexico.
Fundadores 2017 International Riviera Maya Fishing Tournament, Playa del Carmen, April
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.
Cancun International Capitan Armando Ferrat Fishing Tournament 2017, Cancun, April
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.
Anniversary of the Founding of Cancun, April 20
Regatta del Sol al Sol, Isla Mujeres, April 28 – May 5
The 48th 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.
Puerto Morelos Fishing Tournaments
Cesar Martin Rosado Tournament, late April-early May
Don Andres Garcia Lavin Tournament, May
Travesía Sagrada Maya, Xcaret and Cozumel, May 26-27
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.
Visit the Royal Resorts blog at www.royalresorts.com for listings of more events during the year.
