Festival of Life and Death Traditions, 2018.

The Festival of Life and Death Traditions began in 2005 as a way to recover and honor the traditions of different Mexican communities through contemporary art expressions. The Festival aims to display the Day of the Dead Tradition, which has been considered part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO since 2008. This year, Xcaret will present the 13th Edition: "Festival of Life and Death Traditions: Almas de Plata (Souls of Silver)" with the state of Zacatecas as the special guest.

Year after year the festival offers a wide variety of cultural activities and artistic expressions, and this year is no exception. The 13th Edition with Zacatecas as its special guest will have:

•     Dance performances: Folkloric ballet, pre-Columbian and contemporary dance, traditional rituals and festive dances.
  

•     Theater: Circus, Clown, Puppets, narrated and regional theater from Yucatán, Quintana Roo, Zacatecas and artists from Quebec, Canada.

•     Music: authentic corridos of the Mexican revolution, Yucatecan and Zacatecan traditional songs, jaraberos (ancestors of the Mariachi), special guests from Colombia & percussion ensemble. And if that were not enough, there will be 3 Gala concerts at the Gran Tlachco Theater.

•     Expositions, exhibitions, and workshops: altars, food sale with the most representative dishes of Zacatecas and Quintana Roo. There will also be interactive workshops, photography and painting exhibitions.

•     Cuisine: This year with Zacatecas as a special guest, the culinary demonstration will offer gorditas, brujitas from Sombrerete, condoches, tacos envenenados, traditional asado de boda, etc.

In this year's edition, Eugenia León and Ely Guerra will perform. On October 31, Eugenia  León, one of the greatest exponents of Mexican music, will perform solo at the Tlachco Theater.  On November 1, both Eugenia León & Ely Guerra will perform together! Finally, on November 3, Ely Guerra will perform solo in an intimate piano & voice concert.

This year's edition (as all have been) will be memorable: the state of Zacatecas will display the state's customs, its mining culture influence (hence the name of Souls of Silver), and its Revolutionary Period (the Battle of Zacatecas was decisive in the Mexican Revolution). Music, theater, dance, and other artistic expressions will be the medium for this memorable nights.

... And as if 4 days of celebration weren't enough, the Festival will continue with 2 extra days (November 3 & 4) in two official secondary venues: Teatro de la Ciudad de Playa del Carmen and Teatro de Cancún. But that's not all! For the first time, Hotel Xcaret Mexico will also be a secondary venue for artists will perform from October 30 to November 4.

If you want to assist to Xcaret during these days, you can book a private tour that includes: fully-air conditioned, private van, English speaking drivers AND Festival of Life & Death Traditions entrance here.

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The best romantic restaurants in Cancun

Valentine's Day it's the perfect occasion for being with your partner and share beautiful moments with him/her. But the perfect way to end that special day is with a romantic dinner. So if you're traveling to Cancun during that time, take note of these recommendations on the best romantic restaurants in the city:

1.- La Habichuela
Located in Cancun's Downtown (right next to Parque de Las Palapas), La Habichuela is a Mayan-themed restaurant that offers a delicious variety of Mexican dishes combined with the perfect romantic ambiance this day calls for.

2.- The Columbus Lobster Dinner Cruise
This is not just a romantic dinner; this is a unique experience that takes place in a beautiful sailboat, with a perfect view of the Caribbean sea and the gorgeous landscape of Cancun's Hotel Zone. 

3.- Cenacolo
Located in the Hotel Zone, Cenacolo is one of the few restaurants in the city certified by the Italian Government as ambassadors of the authentic Italian food and traditions in México. The elegant dining room and the beautiful view of the lagoon will make your Valentine's dinner a magical experience.

4.- Lorenzillo's
Lorenzillo's is one of the most famous, beautiful and romantic restaurants in Cancún. Located in the Hotel Zone, here you can enjoy a unique dinner, with a perfect view of Nichupte Lagoon.

5.- L’Escargot
Located in Cancun's Downtown (near Mercado 28), this French restaurant is another hidden treasure in this city. Not very famous, but a perfect choice if you don't want the same old fancy restaurant in Hotel Zone. At L'Escargot a romantic dinner is guaranteed.

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Top Things to Do in Cancun to Welcome the New Year

This year is coming to an end, and everybody is getting ready to say goodbye to it. However the end of a cycle is the beginning of a new one, and for most people, this is the perfect opportunity to start fresh and do things different than before.

Cancun and the Riviera Maya are a fantastic destination to say goodbye to the year, either with a big party at one of the nightclubs or with a more private dinner in its excellent restaurants. But if you want to try something a little different this time, here are a few things you can try to welcome the New Year.

Fireworks show at the beach.

Dinner party at your hotel.
Some hotels throw wonderful New Year dinner parties with delicious food, great music, a fabulous ambiance, and even a fireworks show. (Check with the staff of your hotel for the events calendar as sometimes a reservation is needed)

Experience the sunrise at a beautiful Cancun beach.

See the dawn at the beach.

Get a beautiful tan and see the first light of the New Year at one of the gorgeous Cancun beaches. There’s no better place to admire the birth of a new day than the white sands and crystal blue waters of Cancun and the Riviera Maya.

Captain Hook pirate ships light up at midnight.

Go on a pirate adventure.
Enjoy a different experience with the fabulous pirate show of Captain Hook. Sail into an adventure and taste a delicious dinner with lobster tail and filet Mignon while music plays and the party goes on. You will also enjoy a beautiful firework show and a bottle of sparkling wine to sip on while the countdown begins.

Kukulkan pyramid in the Chichen Itza archaeological site.

Visit an archaeological site.

One of the most popular experiences is to visit one of the archaeological sites of Cancun and the Riviera Maya. With the believe that the strategic location of the ruins changes the way the Sun waves affect our bodies, many people gather at these places to feel their energies recharging and get through the next year with fewer troubles.

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The best restaurants in Cancun for your New Year's Eve dinner

New Year’s Eve is a moment to be thankful and start fresh a brand-new year surrounded by all your family and friends. Most of the people during this day share a delicious dinner with their families, but what if you're on vacations here in Cancún? If that is your case, don't worry, we have the best options for your New Year's Eve dinner in Cancún.

Rolandi’s Cancún

Located in Cancun’s Downtown, near from Tulum Avenue, it's one of the favorite restaurants in the city. Here you can enjoy a delicious Italian dinner.

Lorenzillos

Lorenzillo's is one of the most beautiful and romantic restaurants in Cancún. Located in the Hotel Zone, here you can enjoy a unique dinner, with a perfect view of Nichupte Lagoon.

Cenacolo

Located in the Hotel Zone, Cenacolo is one of the few restaurants in the city certified by the Italian Government as ambassadors of the authentic Italian food and traditions in México.

Marakame

If you want a relaxing and delightful New Year's Eve, Marakame is a perfect choice. Here you can enjoy a delicious gourmet dinner while you listen to live music, surrounded by plants and trees in a rustic and natural ambiance in Cancun's Downtown.

Crab House

Established in 1999, Crab House Restaurant & Marina provides the perfect setting to enjoy a lovely New Year's Eve dinner overlooking the Nichupte Lagoon.

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The legend of Xtabay

México has a lot of myths and stories that are passed down from generation to generation, and the Riviera Maya is not the exception. Thanks to the diversity of ancient pre hispanic civilizations during Mesoamerican times, there are many myths and legends in the region, but one of the most famous is that of Xtabay.

The legend tells the story of two women, Xtabay and Utz-Colel. Xtabay was very beautiful and good in her actions toward others, but she was a prostitute and for that she was criticized and cursed. On the other hand, Utz-Colel was pure and demure, but she was despicable and mean toward others.

One day, the villagers noticed that the Xtabay was missing, but nobody cared about her, until they started to smell a sweet aroma that came from her house. When they arrived they found the corpse of the Xtabay.

Utz-Colel couldn’t believed that the perfume came from the corpse of Xtabay, and she said that if that perfume came from a cursed and impure woman like Xtabay, her dead body would have a greater sweet aroma. Eventually, Utz-Colel died and her body emitted a terrible aroma, that reflected her true mean essence.

From the grave of Xtabay grew a delicate and humble flower named Xtabentun, and from the grave of Utz-Colel grew the flower of Tzacam, a cactus with a blooming flower, beautiful but with no perfume.

With the help of evil spirits, Utz-Colel came back to the living world using the identity of the beautiful Xtabay, to seduce men and take them to a fatal destination.

So gentlemen, watch out when you are walking under the moonlight and the stars. You´ll see her dressed in white, standing and shining on the ground. You´ll see her long black hair, and her hands brushing it softly. You´ll see her feet, like two small birds flying just above the ground. Then you´ll feel her eyes like two arrows stabbing you, and you can´t do anything.

Oh poor man, if you ever find her at night following your steps!

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Festival of Life and Death Traditions

The Day of the Dead is a very special Mexican holiday in which, every November 1st and 2nd, Mexican people celebrate the life of their relatives that have passed away. Something peculiar about Mexican people is how they embrace the death in a funny and colorful way, and the Day of the Dead is the perfect example of this particular characteristic.

This holiday comes from the prehispanic Mexican ancestors, and it’s celebrated differently across regions of Mexico. In the Yucatan Peninsula, the celebration is called Hanal Pixan ("food for the souls" in the Mayan language), and during these days people make altars with the food and things that their dead relatives used to like when they were alive.

Nowadays, every year this celebration is honored at Xcaret with the Festival of Life and Death Traditions, an extraordinary event that takes place from October 30th through November 2nd. During this festivity, you will be able to experience the Hanal Pixan, taste the great regional gastronomy, assist to workshops, art exhibitions, theater, dance and concerts. Also, you can enjoy the paradisiac Xcaret park and live a unique experience where you can learn about the ancient traditions of the Mayan culture and the beauty of the Riviera Maya’s nature. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this event.

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Soy Cerveza 2016

As a part of its independent growth, Puerto Morelos aims to position itself as an international destination by promoting cultural events such as the International Beer Festival which will be held on July 16^th & 17^th with more than 200 craft brands.

Workshops, tastings, live music, talks, microbrewers will take place within the festival to promote and develop the beer culture among the assistants. Preselling started on June 30^th and will be over July 15^th, the benefits of buying tickets before the event include: two-days entrance, 1 commemorative glass, 1 free beer and express line all for $100 MXN.

You can buy your tickets at: The Beer Box (Plaza Galerías Infinity, Cancun), Micheladas del semáforo (Puerto Morelos), ADO, Mayan Access, Extra (next to ADO, Playa Del Carmen) & MiEscape.

Over the past editions, SoyCerveza and ADO arranged for ADO buses to pass by on a regular basis and even offered tours or direct rides to get to and from the Soy Cerveza Festival.

Please remember that this is a family friendly environment and although anyone with ticket can access, they recommend no kids under 12 yrs old as there will be loud music and high attendance is expected.

Within the festival, food, non alcoholic drinks and beer will be sold, so this is the perfect occasion for you to try local food from local restaurants!

Costs
Presell: $100 MXN

Day of event: $120 MXN per day

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Mezcal: A drink from heaven

Although the origins of mezcal are unclear, the most accepted legend states that mezcal was created when a lightning bolt struck an agave plant, cooking it and tearing up, releasing the juice from the inside... creating a drink from heaven.

The agave was considered a sacred plant during pre-hispanic times in Mexico since it played an important role in religious ceremonies and rituals. It is believed that the distillation process used to produce liquors such as mezcal was introduced by Spaniards.

Mezcal is the result of an artisanal process. Agave plants must be at least 6 yrs old to be harvested by a jimador (a person who harvests agave) who will recollect the heart of the plant and place it in a underground earthen pit with volcanic rocks and wood that will be set on fire then, the pit will be covered with dirt causing the rocks to heat up. 

This process usually lasts 3 days and once its over, all the piñas (hearts of agave) are smashed for its further distillation.

The history, time and labor behind the process have made it the perfect companion. There is a mezcal for each taste, if you fear it can be too strong for you and would rather drink something sweeter, try the guava mezcal, you will love it.

And remember... mezcal is meant to be kissed: slowly and sip by sip, savor it, try to find all its notes and aromas with the company of those who are important for you.

"Para todo mal, mezcal, para todo bien, también. Y si no hay remedio, litro y medio"

* If you are in Cancun there are two mezcalerías you can go to: "La sabina" and "Don Libando"

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BPM Festival 2017 - 10th anniversary

From January 6th-15th, 2017, more than 375 world's leading artists will meet in one place to celebrate the 10th anniversary of what has grown to be considered one of the major annual events in the Riviera Maya: the BPM Festival.

Back in 2007 the BPM hosted nearly 5000 attendants, almost 10 years later the staff is preparing to share this lifetime experience with over 70,000 dance music lovers from around the globe.

Events are programmed in day parties which will take place in ocean front beach clubs and night parties in downton clubs.

Download the official BPM app for iOS/Android, check the official site BPM Festival 2017or buy your tickets and live a magical experience!

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The Cranberries in Cancun!

From http://www.lhpublicity.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5593.JPG

The Cranberries rose to international fame in the 1990s with their debut album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?, which sold over five million copies in the United States. 

The group was one of the most successful rock acts of the '90s and sold over 15 million albums in the United States alone. The band has achieved four top 20 albums on the Billboard 200 chart.

The irish rock band will perform at the Moon Palace Arena on August 26th, 27th, & 28th.

You can purchase your tickets here: Ticket Master

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Riviera Maya Film Festival

Ever since its first edition in 2012, the RMFF has been the vehicle to offer quality films for people from Quintana Roo and its visitors. The festival seeks to become a guideline through the latest trends in the international film industry, it aims to distribute but is not limited to, mexican quality films. Its vision is to become an engine of cultural development for Quintana Roo through the promotion, dissemination and support of quality filmmaking.

The venues for the fifth edition of the Riviera Maya Film Festival will be Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Isla Mujeres. The RMFF offers a variety of categories for this edition from Planetarium which addresses aspects of contemporary society such as censorhip, human rights, etc. to Riverlab: where completed films that have gone through previous editions as projects have made a successful and international trajectory. 

Malgré la nuit - Philippe Grandrieux, France-Canada, Bang Gang - Eva Husson, France and Eva no duerme - Pablo Agüero, Argenitna-España-Francia-México are some of the movies on the program for this edition.

If you want to find out more about this edition, visit Riviera Maya Film Festival.

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