Here’s our monthly listing of upcoming festivals and events in Cancun, Riviera Maya and Yucatan.
Modern Pentathlon World Championships, Cancun, March 25-31
The world’s finest pentathletes gather in Cancun for the Modern Pentathlon World Championships, a classification event for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The original venue for this event was to be Xiamen, China but was changed because of the coronavirus epidemic.
Beach Volleyball World Tour, Cancun, March 26-29
The International Beach Volleyball Federation Beach Volleyball World Tour comes to Playa Langosta in Cancun, March 26-29. This event is a classifier for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Equinox, Chichen Itza & Dzibilchaltun, March 19-21
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 19-21). 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 19 in 2020 but the largest gathering at Chichen Itza takes place on March 21, a national holiday in Mexico.
Holbox Fishing Tournament, Holbox, April 17
Easter Week, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Merida, Valladolid and elsewhere in Mexico, April 6-12
Masses, processions and reenactments of the Crucifixion, masses, floral carpets in the streets and more on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday.
Playa Delfines or El Mirador in Cancun is the setting for a representation of the Via Crucis and Crucifixion of Christ on Good Friday.
Anniversary of Cancun, Cancun April 20
Masses, processions, exhibitions and more in Downtown Cancun to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of Cancun.
Sol al Sol Race and Amigos Regatta, Isla Mujeres, April 23-May 1
Yachtsmen in this international race set off from St. Petersburg Yacht Club in Florida bound for Isla Mujeres. This is the 51st edition of the race, which now takes place every two years. Registration is on April 23, the start is on April 24 and the awards ceremony is on Isla Mujeres on May 1. The Amigos Regatta takes place after the race.
Fundadores 2019 International Riviera Maya Fishing Tournament, Playa del Carmen, April 24-26
This fishing 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.
Challenge Cancun Triathlon, Cancun, April 26
1,500 top triathletes gather in Cancun for this international triathlon. The swimming course is in the bay between Cancun and Isla Mujeres setting off from Playa Langosta. The bike race circuit is from Bonampak Ave to km 14 of Kukulcan Boulevard in the Hotel Zone (three laps) and the running event will take place on Bonampak Ave (3 7 kilometer laps).
Copa Capitan Ferrat Fishing Tournament, Cancun, May 1-3
One of the most important fishing tournaments in the Mexican Caribbean.
Don Andres Garcia Lavin Tournament, Puerto Morelos, May 8-10
Sport fishermen make their way to Puerto Morelos in May for the town’s popular fishing tournament.
Other May fishing tournaments take place on Isla Mujeres from May 22 to 24 and in Playa del Carmen from May 29 to 31
Rodeo de Lanchas Mexicanas, Cozumel, May 15-17
Fishing tournament and traditional boat procession in Cozumel.
Travesía Sagrada Maya 2020, Xcaret and Cozumel, May 22-23
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.
