Experience the Mystical Mayan Tradition: 2024 Sacred Crossing

The Xcaret Group is thrilled to announce the return of the Sacred Mayan Crossing for 2024. This unique event delves into the heart of Mayan mysticism and ancestral traditions. This year's focus is on strengthening the sacred bond between humanity and nature, with a particular emphasis on the worship of the goddesses Ixchel and Ixchebelyax, who symbolize youth and wisdom in the Mayan worldview. The Sacred Mayan Crossing has become an eagerly anticipated annual cultural celebration since its revival 16 years ago. This year, 348 canoeists, with equal gender representation, are expected to participate. They have been rigorously preparing for this challenge for over six months.

The event is slated for the 17th and 18th of May. Participants will retrace the commercial and religious routes of the ancient Mayans, starting from the P’ole site and ending on the island of Cozumel. The cultural performance, named "Water Wizards," is a reenactment of rituals, dances, and trade practices, aimed at preserving and honoring the legacy of the Mayan ancestors. Participants will make offerings of corn and balché, essential elements in Mayan rituals, as depicted in the murals of Tulum.

Leticia Aguerrebere, Corporate Director of Art and Culture of the Xcaret Group, voiced her satisfaction with the continuation of this event. "We are delighted to host the Sacred Mayan Crossing for the sixteenth consecutive year. This event has fostered a strong bond between the community and this cultural and artistic reenactment, becoming a tradition that many consider the highlight of their year.”

Aguerrebere, who also serves as president of the Cultural Heritage Committee of the Xcaret Group, underscored the organization's commitment to preserving and promoting Mayan cultural heritage. "Safeguarding cultural heritage is a task that enables us to continuously engage in actions such as research, preservation, protection, visibility, valuation, revitalization, diffusion, and transmission of pre-Hispanic culture.”

The Sacred Mayan Crossing is not just a celebration of pre-Hispanic tradition, but also a reflection of the vision of prosperity and shared value that the Xcaret Group has championed since its inception. It provides a platform for the appreciation and respectful sharing of Mayan culture with people from all over the world. This event is a vivid example of how the past and present can merge to educate and unite communities through Mexico's rich history.