A Taste Of Mayan Culture At Occidental At Xcaret Destination Hotel

On a road lined with many grand resorts, each with their own elaborate entrance marked by massive gates and intricate landscaping, the Occidental at Xcaret Destination hotel distinguishes itself by offering experiences that reflect its location.

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The resort is massive, and unlike anything I've ever experienced. A giant palapa marks the open-air lobby, and the first thing you see upon entering is a breathtaking view, perfectly framed by soaring columns.

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Throughout the property, narrow curved walkways flanked by lush vegetation make it feel almost as if you're wandering through a tropical jungle, with little surprises like a coati curiously wandering the grounds or the rustling of monkeys high up in the trees. It rained for much of the time I was there which, while sometimes inconvenient, only enhanced the beauty of my surroundings.

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There are small Mayan ruins dispersed throughout the property, which we discovered during a tour offered for free to guests of the hotel twice a week (no signup required, just meet at the activities center at the appropriate time). We got a peek at some of the animal habitats on the resort, including a flamingo pond, and walked along the ecological dirt paths flanking the paved ones for a closer view of the surrounding flora. The architectural sites were ceremonial and political in nature, including ruins of an ancient Catholic temple which offered a hint of the structure that once stood there.

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I had the opportunity to visit the property in time for the 12th annual reenactment of the Sacred Mayan Journey – La Travesía Sagrada Maya – a revival of a pre-Hispanic custom that has seen increased numbers of participants and spectators year after year. In honor of the goddess Ixchel, volunteers from around the world make the journey from Xcaret to Cozumel in hand-carved canoes as the Mayans did centuries ago. In ancient times the Mayans made this pilgrimage to consult the oracle, and young women in particular made this journey (from Xcaret and elsewhere in the Yucatán Peninsula) in hopes of a fertility blessing.

Today the Sacred Mayan Journey takes place once every year, with volunteers training for six months to prepare for the physically and mentally demanding feat. Rowing from Xcaret Park to Chankanaab Park and back, the trip across the Caribbean Sea takes approximately six to eight hours each way, depending on weather conditions. This year's class of 377 canoers was comprised of both men and women from near and far; mostly locals with a handful of individuals from Argentina, the United States, Colombia, France, Spain and more.

The travelers spend the night in Cozumel and make their way back to Xcaret the following morning. Spectators looking to get the full experience can watch the departure from Xcaret Park (a short walk from Occidental at Xcaret Destination), make their way to Cozumel via ferry, and spend the night at the lovely Occidental Cozumel.

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On the day of the ceremony we got up at the crack of dawn and walked from the hotel to the nearby eco-archaeological Xcaret Park. Bleary-eyed from our 4AM meetup time, we walked down the (now dark) path connecting the hotel to the park. As we got closer we could hear music and smell incense, and when we had finally came upon the festival there were many people milling about, all dressed in white (as is tradition) and grabbing a bite at one of the food stalls or making their way to a prime viewing spot.

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The festivities began with a number of performances, from traditional dances to symbolic skits. The main event, of course, was watching the sacred travelers make their way to the canoes and push off into the Caribbean Sea. The crowd cheered, the music surged, and colorful birds were released. Unfortunately the waters were especially rough that morning and it was decided that the rowers would not complete the journey for safety concerns, but I was grateful to have witnessed the excitement of the opening ceremony.

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The rowers were able to complete the journey a few weeks later under much fairer conditions, and though I did not get to see it in person, photos shared from the event offered a taste of the excitement of these travelers upon completing this perilous pilgrimage. More than an impressive physical feat, for many participants (and spectators as well), the Sacred Mayan Journey is about connecting to their culture and keeping these traditions alive.

Travel expenses for this article were paid for by Barceló Hotel Group.