Playa del Carmen news

November in Playa del Carmen, Days of Dead

November is one of the best months of the year to book a vacation in Playa del Carmen. You will have the chance to spend some joyous moments during the "Day of Dead"... it sounds weird!! Sometimes, when people of other cultures first hear about the celebration of the Day of the Dead, they mistakenly think it must be gruesome, frightening, terrifying, scary, ugly and sad: Nothing further from the truth! Day of the Dead is a beautiful ritual in which Mexicans happily and lovingly remember their loved relatives that have died. In Mexico, it is one of the most important celebrations of the whole year!!

"Dia de los Muertos" is like Mexican Halloween.

What we suggest is you book a holiday in Playa del Carmen, at La Tortuga Hotel and Spa, and spend your Halloween in the tropical and warm beaches of Playa del Carmen!

We warmly invite you to explore Playa del Carmen and its surrounding area with some of the most beautiful tours of the Mayan Riviera.

Here are some suggestions:

Eco Theme Park Xcaret Riviera Maya

If you would like to spend a really Mexican traditional Halloween, we recommend to visit Xcaret during the 2nd Life and Death Traditions Festival.

This amazing Eco Park, located just 10 minutes from Playa del Carmen, from October 30th to November 2nd is ready to welcome you and show you a real "Día de los Muertos"! You can stroll through its beautiful Mayan Village Cemetery, where each tomb is highly decorated with colorful offerings and flowers.

Almost 100 Mayan communities will be represented, there will be painters, dancers, musicians, actors, story tellers.

There will be tables with pictures of the dearly departed, bread and traditional dishes. There will be honey, tortillas, orange marigolds -- or tzempazuchitl in Nahuatl -- and balché, the sacred drink made of the bark of the Florida Lilac tree; and crucifixes made of ashes, flower petals and lit candles.

Women dressed in traditional embroidered hipiles will offer you a taste yucca sweets, sweet potatoes, pumpkin in syrup and Day of the Dead bread, as "The Grim Reaper", "The Pale Horseman" draws near to whisper in your ear: "How nice of you to come; I was just going to get you!"

Fun for the kids too!

Exhibits of children's drawings, workshops on embroidery, paper cuttting, pottery and fruit and vegetable carving, conferences and presentations of documentaries on Day of the Dead celebrations throughout the country are all part of this celebration.

The Mayan village was created with a specific criteria... to bring visitors closer to this wonderful Mexican culture full of mysticism and color; you will discover symbols and get to know better Mexican traditions.

Xcaret has everything you are looking for you and your family!

Horse Back Riding Loma Bonita Ranch

One of the nicest activities for visitors in the Riviera Maya, is taking a horseback ride along the uninterrupted stretches of beach fronting the Mexican Caribbean Sea. Enjoy an exciting journey horse back riding through the tropical jungle of Quintana Roo, its beautiful mangroves, gorgeous lakes and the private beaches of turquoise waters and white sands, on well trained horses. Swim at Loma Bonita, surrounded by the blue water of the Caribbean Ocean.

ATV & Speedboat Maroma

Come to Marina Maroma, the perfect place to experience the unparallel adventure in a tour that takes you to the edge of excitement.
First, take a trip deep into the tropical jungle of Quintana Roo in a 4 wheeler (ATV), discovering on your path the mysteries of the Maya world. Later on, enjoy the adventure provided by the speedboats you can drive on the lagoon and close to the gorgeous mangroves.
Spend a day of endless fun with out ATV & Speedboat tour!

Chichen Itza World Wonder

Take a tour to Chichen Itza, the capital of the ancient Maya empire. Follow the steps into the past and discover the most important cultural centre of the Maya civilization, considered one of the most advanced in America.
The mysterious city of Chichen Itza was an important ceremonial centre and you can still see the magnificent pyramid of Kukulkan, the Temple of the Warriors, the Ball Court, the Observatory and the Sacred Well where countless victims were sacrificed to ancient gods.
On this tour to Chichen Itza, you will find out why this Maya Ruins are one of the most representative and important on the Yucatan Peninsula. You can't miss the chance to visit this gorgeous archaeological site on your vacation to Playa del Carmen!

We suggest you rent a car to visit the beautiful beaches and cenotes of the Riviera Maya. The highway is easy for driving, and this way you will have no limits on how much time you decide to stay in each place. Among the beaches we suggest are: Xpu-ha, Tank-ha, miles of beaches at south of Tulum's ruins, and Yal-ku lagoon in Akumal for great snorkeling. However, if you feel safer or more relaxed by not driving, or you want to visit areas not very close to Playa, we suggest you take an organized tour; ask our front desk for all options.

By yourself we suggest - Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Tulum