Falling in love at  Xcaret.  ”Ixchel and Itzamná celebrate their honeymoon”

Ixchel and Itzamná are in the Riviera Maya to celebrate their honeymoon. Since they were dating, were told about a paradise called Xcaret and all the magic experiences that can be enjoyed there. So they decided that this would be the first place they would visit after their wedding. They were so excited!

The first photo they took was with the flamingos and macaws, just at the entrance to Xcaret. Then Ixchel and Itzamná walked towards one of the most peaceful and romantic places in the park: The butterfly pavilion. As they arrived early, they got a glimpse of the butterflies in their most active time. This experience put them in touch with the exuberant nature of the Mexican Caribbean.

After their walk by the butterfly pavilion, they decided to go to the beach. Ixchel was eager to see the Caribbean Sea from Xcaret. It was such a surprise to find the sea water ponds there, so they took a dip in the refreshing pools. What a delight for their senses!

But the adventure has just begun for Ixchel and Itzamná. They are thinking about to enjoy an optional activity at Xcaret: Sea Trek, Snuba  or Swim with dolphins. Which optional activity would you recommend them?

Follow the Celebration. My Wedding in the Riviera Maya. #RivieraMaya

Oatmeal and adventure at Xplor!

 What a better way to start a day than with a steaming bowl of freshly cooked oatmeal! It’s not only delicious, but an excellent source of manganese, selenium, vitamin B1, dietary fiber, magnesium, protein and phosphorus. Oats help to remove cholesterol from the digestive system that would otherwise end up in the bloodstream, but they have another interesting cardio-protective mechanism.

 Oats have been cultivated for thousand years in several regions throughout the world. Before being consumed as a food, oats were used for medicinal purposes.

 A study published in The Journal of Nutrition explains that antioxidant compounds unique to oats, called avenanthramides, help prevent free radicals from damaging LDL cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

 Here are some reasons to consider oats in a healthy way of eating: 

-Enhance Immune Response to Infection

- Stabilize Blood Sugar

- Oats and Other Whole Grains Substantially Lower Type 2 Diabetes Risk

-It gives Antioxidant Benefits

- Fiber from Whole Grains (like oats) and Fruit Protective against Breast Cancer

-Whole Grains and Fish Highly Protective against Childhood Asthma

 Do you like oats? How do you like them? Well, we know a very nice place where you can enjoy some delicious oatmeal cookies… Yes, Xplor, the newest and coolest attraction in the Riviera Maya!

 After your adventure in the ziplines or the amphibious vehicles of Xplor, you can take a rest in “El manantial”. Here you can find juices and milkshakes with special recipes and ingredients, from peanut butter to chaya, a plant from the Yucatan Peninsula… But, definitely, the best of “El Manantial” are the oatmeal cookies. Tasty and healthful, the Xplor’s oatmeal cookies are your best option to recharge your energy and continue your day.  Have you tried them? Which was your favorite meal at Xplor?

Halach Uinic: A very special Character of the show Xcaret Mexico Espectacular

(Mayan Park Playa del Carmen) Do you remember the man who wore the large, green plumes on his head, and was dancing and shouting during the show Xcaret Mexico Espectacular? He had a skull painted on his face, and was wore a jaguar skin on his shoulders and bells on his feet…  Don’t you think his presence was magnificent? Would you like to know more about him?

For those who come to Xcaret from other countries, he is a central character of the night. Maybe if they know a little more about Mexico’s History, will understand he’s a governor who lives the splendor of his city when Spaniards come to conquer the New World.  But it is clear he’s an important character and represents the pre-Columbian Mexico. Halach Uinic is an important character of Xcaret, Mayan Park in Playa del Carmen.

Martin Gutiérrez, chief of the Group Xipe Totek, has been the performer of this character.  To create him, he took inspiration from the Halach Uinic, the Great Lord, or “True Lord” who governed the Mayan cities.  It was a position that was inherited from father to son and it was almost like the “divine presence” in the world. He was in charge of the rituals to ask the water and fertility, he sent to build the pyramids and temples.

The costumes for the Halach Uinic of Xcaret, were inspired on the paintings of the archaeological site of Bonampak. Besides some elements are taken of the Aztec s, so that all Mexicans could feel identified with him.

“How do you feel when you play this character?”, we asked to Martin Gutiérrez, and he said: “I feel very proud, I feel excited. You need to be strong for this character, because he is strong and brave, but he also expresses resignation when he’s beaten by the Spaniards.

Maybe you’ve seen the Halach Uinic shouts some phrases at the end of his part in the show.  It’s a thunderous shout. It’s a call for all Mexican to feel proud of our heritage and to participate in its preservation. It says:

“May my Mayan brother stay here on the Earth. May my Aztec brother stay here on the Earth. May they stay, May they stay…”

What is the most moving moment of Xcaret Mexico Espectacular? What is your favorite character of the show? Tell us!

Show more: Faces of Xcaret

Tours Riviera Maya. Cesar Millán visits Xel-Há

“I grew up listening my grandfather’s words: ‘never work against nature’. And now I’m The Dog Whisperer” – Cesar Millán

Having a dog at home is not as easy as it seems. You must teach it some rules, share small spaces with it, understand what it is asking to you… it is a big challenge, but the reward is to have a noble and faithful friend close to you. That’s why for many people Cesar Millán’s advisors are so valuable. He is the dog whisperer and he visited Xel-Há (tours in the Riviera Maya) a few days ago. Do you want to know what did he do on his visit?

Besides he lives in USA, Millán was born in Sinaloa, México.  He was very glad to visit this country and taste its delicious food. So he went to the restaurant La Cocina, to enjoy all the Mexican flavors at Xel-Há.

Our special visitor visited the Garden of Chacahs and planted his tree. He did it as a real expert, as he himself took over the plant on his ranch in Los Angeles. He left us this beautiful phrase to accompany your photo and the small chacah tree to ask: “I grew up listening my grandfather’s words: ‘Never work against nature’ and now I’m “The Dog Whisperer”

Along with his girlfriend Yahira, Cesar Millán enjoyed a fun ride down the Xel-Há’s river and inlet. They didn’t miss the chance to swim into the turquoise waters of this natural wonder. Millán and Yahira also met the archaeological site of Tulum, close to Xel-Há. Wherever he went he was recognized by tourists of different nationalities who follow his tv program about dog training.

Always interested in animal training, Millán swam with the dolphins at Xel-Há and had an interesting chat with the dolphin trainers about the art of understand animals. One of the dolphins which Millán swam with was called Yaaj –love in Mayan language- and he decided to put this name to a dog he recently found in Spain.

From here we send a heartfelt hug to Cesar Millán, the “Dog Whisperer”, whose work shows us how important it is to maintain a dialogue with the species that share our lives and our environment. Thanks for visiting Xel-Há!

Who would you like to find in Xel-Há tours in the Riviera Maya? Tell us!

Eco Tours Cancun: Recycling on your vacation at Xel-Há

Xel-Há the wonderful park located in Cancun / the Riviera Maya, not only is an icon of this destination but is also an example in Mexico of a company that properly manages its natural resources, local environment, community ties and alliances with the private and academic sectors. Recycling is one of the key issues to keep Xel-Ha as beautiful as you saw during your visit.

The park has one of the most successful waste management programs in Mexico, which was awarded First Place in the 2008 National Recycling Contest (under the auspices of SEMARNAT, the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, and COPARMEX, the Businessmen’s Chamber of Commerce).

Xel-Há (Eco Tours Cancun) has its own waste Hauling and Collection Center, called CETA. It allows recycling the park’s residues. For example, in 2009, after an improvement of CETA’s infrastructure, compost production grew from 49 to 157 tons (a 300% increase), and it was recovered 80% of the Park’s solid waste. As each year, waste was separated and delivered to different collection areas for reuse.

Involving our visitors in conservation tasks is part of what identifies us as a responsible company. For the 7th year in a row, we invited our visitors to participate in guided environment and cultural tours inside the Park. Your visit to Xel-Há, Eco Tours Cancun is friendly with the fragile and wonderful environment of the Riviera Maya! Besides visiting Xel-Ha (Eco Tours Cancun) , which other activities you like to do for the environment?

*Tonnes rescued in 2009
84% 547 Organic compost
6% 38.79 Paper and Cardboard
4% 25.63 Glass
2% 14.11 Metals

Chocolate and drums from Tabasco for the Death and Life Traditions Festival at the Cancun Family Park, Xcaret.

Day of the Dead in Mexico is not about sadness or tears. It’s a mystic and cheerful tradition. Its colors, aromas and flavors summarize many times and many memories for each of the Mexicans. Because the Day of the Dead is a so-Mexican festivity, Xcaret celebrates it since 2006. During the Death and Life Traditions Festival we remember all of our loved ones who went on before us in the path we all have to walk sometime.

This year, Tabasco will be the guest state of the Life and Death Traditions Festival at Xcaret (Cancun family Park). Tabasco, land of cacao and the joyful rhythm of drums, will share its traditions for the Day of Dead during the festival, which central theme is “La Muerte Niña”: how Mexican hold a wake for dead children.  Parents used to paint them as if the children were slept and use to put their favorite toys in the altar.

The Life and Death Traditions Festival will be the perfect opportunity to go into the cacao’s world. There are in Tabasco some places were people keep the way to make chocolate as the mayan did. Those places are called Haciendas Cacaoteras and two of the most important ones will bring to Xcaret the magic of the real Mexican chocolate.  In the Childen’s Pavilion of the Festival the family will enjoy storytelling, Contemporary Dance, Tabasco Drummers, traditional music and cultural workshops.

At the Festival, Ofelia Medina will present “Mexican Voices”, which is about three great women who have formed a fundamental part of the culture of Mexico: Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Rosario Castellanos and Frida Kahlo. Visitors will enjoy also the fabulous music of Jaramar and a concert of the Carlos Chavez Quartet.

The 6th Festival of Life and Death Traditions at Xcaret (Cancun Family Park) will be held on October 30th and 31th, November 1st and 2nd. Have you come to enjoy Day of the Dead in Mexico before? Tell us what did you like the most! We wait for you at Xcaret!