Riviera Maya Revival: The Sacred Mayan Journey 2015
About 500 years ago among the ancient mayan villages of Polé and the island of Kuzamil there was a vibrant commercial and cultural trade and one particular evento stood out from the rest: a visit to the Sanctuary of the Mayan Goddess Ixchel.
Celebrations and blessings before the paddlers are off to Cozumel. Photo courtesy of Del Sol Photography.
These days the village of Polé is the world famous Xcaret Park in Riviera Maya and the island of Kuzamil is no other than the always inviting Cozumel, with an always busy life and connection between both shores, the homage to the Goddess Ixchel made a comeback 9 years ago in the event we now know as The Sacred Mayan Journey.
The canoes beging their journey with the first rays of light.
Photo courtesy of Del Sol Photography.
This is one of the most anticipated and soulful events held in the area every year in which 350 canoeist from the Riviera Maya and Cancun including 31 foreigners full time residents in the area) sail away at the crack of dawn on wooden canoes to Cozumel at the end of May.
35 canoes with men and women rowing across Xcaret and Cozumel.
Photo courtesy of Del Sol Photography.
350 men and women in 35 canoes rowing into the sea and their inner self discovery journey.
Photo courtesy of Del Sol Photography.
The 2015 edition of the Mayan Sacred Journey will be held on May 22nd and 23rd and starts at 5:30 am with the blessing ceremony of the 35 canoes and its canoeist at the beautiful beach of Xcaret Park until they all jump into their boats and start rowing across the canal to Cozumel, once they hit the island they will be received at Chankanaab Bay with a traditional mayan ceremony.
The canoes arriving to Chankanaab Bay in Cozumel.
Photo courtesy of Del Sol Photography.
At the bay the paddlers will rest and regain their strength while presenting the offerings to Ixchel, within a few hours and with the first sun rays they will row their way back to Pole where they will be greeted by their friends, families and park visitors from all over the world in a very emotional feast.
The arrival of the canoeist is always an extremely emotional moment.
Photo courtesy of Del Sol Photography.
If you are planning an early summer trip to the mexican caribbean and you already know that one of the must things to do in Riviera Maya is visiting Xcaret, we highly recommend you to book your day trip to this park to witness this wonderful event where the ancient mayan traditions come back to life.
Photos courtesy of Del Sol Photography.
