http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgLcQmlN2Xg

El Castillo at Muyil

Muyil site has a fabulous ancient walkway, called sacbe and meaning “white way”, through the jungle to the lagoons where you can hire a guide to take you on a boat tour around the mangrove area in the Biosphere. The jungle portion ends with a chance to climb up an observation tower to see the Sian Ka’an Biosphere from a fabulous bird’s eye view. Most of the buildings on the site date back to 1100-1200 AD. El Castillo is 17 meters high and Pink Palace shows evidence of stucco used for cover and decoration.

Muyil is open 7 days a week from 8am-5pm and is a ½ day trip (or less) from Akumal and can easily be combined with a Tulum or cenote day trip.

Value – Divide the cost of your villa per person and you’ll discover you receive more for your vacation dollar than at a comparable hotel or resort.  And most hotel rooms don’t have their own private swimming pool.

Privacy, Space and Comfort – Lots and lots of room to spread out:  this is one of the best reasons to rent a villa. There’s plenty of room to be alone with your thoughts or a good book.  There are comfortable, cozy common areas for family and friends to share laughter and good times.  There’s also more than one bathroom.

Romance for couples – There’s no need to hang a sign on the door knob.  Honeymoons and couple getaways were never more romantic.  Who knows?  You might just decide you never want to leave your exclusive, private villa.

Peace of mind for parents – You don’t have to worry all the time about where the kids are – they’re playing in the pool, of course.  Some villas have games and movies, pool loungers, snorkeling equipment, kayaks and other toys for kids AND adults.

You don’t have to eat from a buffet – And you don’t have to prepare meals if you don’t feel like it.  With cook services you can eat home-cooked, scrumptious meals of authentic Mayan and Mexican cuisine.  You can dine at the dinner table, enjoy a poolside BBQ or dine out a local restaurant anytime you like. 

You only have to go out when you feel like it – Because you have your own kitchen, you can stock your favorite breakfast items, snacks, fruits and other foods.  This makes it possible to relax more and worry less about where to find your next meal.  It also means you can enjoy coffee in your PJs and wear your swimsuit to lunch. 

Friendly, professional service – We believe your villa rental experience begins before you arrive.  From the moment you arrive until you return safely home, the team of professionals at Akumal Villas will provide you with friendly, prompt and courteous service.

Private swimming pool at Hacienda Las Palmas

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a festival celebrated on November 1st and 2nd and is an interesting mix of pre-Hispanic practices and Roman Catholicism.  Before the Spaniards arrived, indigenous people celebrated the return of souls during the months of July and August.  Now November 1 is set aside for All Saints, the deceased infants and children, referred to as “angelitos” or little angels in English and those who died as adults are remembered on November 2, All Souls Day.

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos at Xcaret

The focus of Dia de los Muertos is to bring the spirits of the dead back to this world so they can eat, drink and be merry, just as they did when they were living.  Ofrendas (offerings) are made to entice the dearly departed to return to this world.  These offerings include the fragrance of flowers (zempasuchil, an Indian word for a special type of marigold), pan de muertos (a rich bread decorated with “bones”), sugar skulls, candles, copal incense, religious items, photographs, favorite foods and drinks of loved ones.  The lives of the dead are celebrated by remembering their accomplishments, as well as their shortcomings – a very honest and sincere reflection of the loved one.

In some areas of Mexico, festivities will begin on October 31 when relatives gather at cemeteries bearing gifts and flowers for those who have left this realm.  These gatherings are quite lively with music, food and drink.  The celebration also takes place at home with altars of offerings that are built to honor departed ancestors or loved ones.  The biggest and most colorful celebrations of Dia de los Muertos take place in Oaxaca, Mixquic, Patzcuaro, Aguacalientes and Chiapa de Corzo.  In the Yucatan, Merida offers a unique version of Day of the Dead, called Hanal Pixan (Mayan for Food for the Souls).  Traditionally, the Mayans celebrated in private at their homes, but now there are beautiful altars on display for the public to see and well as other events taking place in the city.

Here in the Riviera Maya, you can get a taste of Dia de los Muertos at  Xcaret in Playa del Carmen from October 30-November 2.  Since it is Mexico’s Bicentennial, the theme is 200 Years of Life and Death to honor this wonderful tradition of celebrating the cycle of life and death.

On November 21 in Playa del Carmen, it’s the second annual culinary event called Taste of Playa.  This event begins at 3pm in Playa’s Parque Fundadores.  International chefs from many restaurants along the Riviera Maya will showcase  their new and specialty menu items.  Be sure to come hungry!

Also in Novemeber is the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival.   Jazz buffs as well as music lovers in general will be treated to the extraordinary experience of seeing and listening to music artists perform under the stars on the beach at Mamitas.  This seventh annual event takes place Nov 25-28 at 7pm.

If you are sponsoring or know of an event in Riviera Maya, let us know.  We’ll be happy to add it to the calendar!