Mexico’s Day of the Dead, Dia de los Muertos, at first glance sounds the same as Halloween or All Hollows’ Eve in the United States, but in fact, they’re quite different – just as the two cultures who celebrate these holidays have fundamentally different views about death.

Day of the Dead in Mexico celebrates the life and death of their deceased loved ones in a spirit of joy, fellowship, and humor (reciting “calaveritas,” or little skulls, which are short, satirical poems about them). Americans view Halloween as a more mischievous celebration about the darker side of death. Both do believe, however, that the boundary between the living and the dead is blurred on these holidays for intercommunication.

Differences and Similarities between Halloween and Dia de los Muertos

Day of the Dead Celebrations in Mexico

Consider taking part in this delightful Mexico tradition, and celebrate the lives of your dearly departed on a vacation in the Yucatan Peninsula. Celebrations begin the last week in October through the early days of November. The official Day of the Dead holiday for children is recognized on November 1^st; for adults, on November 2^nd.

Interpretations of Dia de los Muertos vary in different Mexico states. In the state of Yucatan, it’s called Hanal Pix’an, a Mayan version of the Day of the Dead, which means “feast for the souls.” Still, the basic theme throughout Mexico is the same: the dead are welcomed back into their homes via an offering (“ofrenda”) of traditional foods such as bread of the dead (“pan de muerto”), celebratory flowers such as marigolds (“flor de cempasuchitl” also called “flor de muerto”), and ornaments; by visiting and decorating their grave sites; and by dancing, singing, and otherwise enjoying each other’s company.

Where to Celebrate

In Cancun and the Riviera Maya, the Day of the Dead celebrations are visible all over town at restaurants, bars, and hotels, but one very special celebration takes place at Xcaret. Their annual Life and Death Mexican Traditions Festival, features traditional variations in Mexico’s regional Dia de los Muertos celebrations.

On October 30^th through November 2^nd, from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 pm., Xcaret shares the culture, history, food, music, dance, and religious ceremony given for the dearly departed.

Enjoy this traditional Mexican holiday at the end of October and early November with a visit to Cancun or the Riviera Maya. Join in the Day of the Dead festivities with colorful decorations, costumes, tasty treats, and music to wake the dead!

_________________________

About the Author

Christina Famiglietti is a professional writer and editor with experience in various industries. Her most recent passion is the Mexican Caribbean, where she lives and is inspired to write about her beloved Mexico — its nature, culture, travel, and tourism.

Among the special guests that attended, Yucatan Holidays CEO Erika Garcia and Yucatan Holidays representatives, Sherif Abd Rabbo, Paul Mattimoe and Gustavo Miranda were present. The Yucatan Holidays group auctioned off two vacation packages to the Riviera Maya which raised 16,000 euros for the event. Other well-known guests included philanthropist, Sandra Garcia Sanjuan, super model, Eugenia Silva, Jermaine Jackson of the Jackson Five and many more. Other items auctioned included a day on the set of Desperate Housewives with Eva Longoria, tickets to Rock in Rio and invitations to the Cannes Film Festival.

The foundations Niños en Alegría, The Eva Longoria Fund and Lagrimas y Favores, supported by Antonio Banderas, were the three charities represented at the event. The Eva Longoria Fund , founded by Ms. Longoria and located in San Antonio, Texas, was created to help children, teens and adults with developmental disabilities flourish in today’s society. Niños en Alegría supports impoverished children in a western region of Mexico and assists them in obtaining education. Lagrimas y Favores backed by Mr. Banderas and his wife, Melanie Griffin, is a non-profit organization that not only assists in financially supporting cancer patients but creates educational scholarships for the University of Malaga, Spain.

With plans already in themaking for Starlite Gala 2012, it is safe to say that this year’s event was a great success. After the auction, guest then celebrated early into the morning on Puro Beach whilst being accompanied by musical performances by Spanish female vocalist Marta Sanchez among others.

Friday i’m in Love… with Cancun! So I want you guys to be in love too. Follow the 3 steps below and you may be the lucky winner of 5 days in Cancun for you and your family*.

Are you ready?

1) “Like” & “Tweet” this post by clicking the buttons above(come on, let your friends and family members have a chance too!)
2) Finish the phrase in the COMMENTS area below:

“When I think of Cancun, I imagine myself ___________________________”

3) Answer the question in the COMMENTS below: How did you became a fan or a follower of Yucatan Holidays? A friend suggestion? A tweet? A contest? other?

So, that’s it! Finish the 3 steps and don’t forget to post in the comments your Facebook name or your Twitter username so we can notify you in case you are the winner!
We’ll pick the winner randomly (using random.org ) on the morning of Monday, May 23th so you have all the weekend to enter!

THE PRIZE:

* 5 days / 4 nights of hotel accommodation in Cancun for a family of 2 adults & up to 2 kids. Vacation certificate includes: one-way airport-hotel transportation, preferred rates to upgrade to all-inclusive and $60 USD in spa credit!
Terms & Conditions:
*Must be at least 25 years of age to claim the prize
* Prize is transferable, but can’t be accumulated & won’t apply with other promotions.
*No black-out dates, just make your reservation with time!

The blue open waters of the Caribbean and more than 300 canoeists are set to embark on the 5th Sacred Mayan Journey organized by Xcaret this May 19^th, 20^th, and 21^st recreating the ancient Mayan tradition of worshiping moon goddess Ix Chel.

The Sacred Mayan Journey recreates the Mayan pilgrimage from the Ppole port (now Xcaret). The ancient Mayans would row across the ocean towards Cuzamil (now Cozumel) to hear the oracle predictions from goddess Ix Chel. The rowers would then cross the ocean once again to arrive at Xamanha (Playa del Carmen).

The participants of the Mayan Journey will recreate the entire ceremony including dance and music rituals as well as goddess Ix Chel message in Cozumel. The 5^th Sacred Mayan Journey will include participation from the Felipe Carrillo Puerto Community Theater, dance groups form the Solidaridad (Playa del Carmen) and Cozumel Municipalities, as well as volunteers from the DIF Solidaridad Golden Club and volunteers from Xcaret Park.

DATES: What you need to know to see the canoeists:

May 19^th in Xcaret Park: Starting at 5 p.m., entrance is free for visitors to enjoy a number of activities at the park.

May 20^th in Xcaret Park: Arrival is at 5:30 a.m. to see the canoeists off. There are only a limited number of tickets.

May 20^th in Cozumel: The events will begin at 12 p.m. with the welcome of the canoeists in Caletita by the lighthouse. At 8 p.m., the canoeist will take their offerings to goddess Ix Chel in Chaancanab Park.

May 21^st in Cozumel: The canoeists depart from Island of Cozumel at 5:30 a.m. from Caletita.

May 21^st in Playa del Carmen: The Sacred Mayan Journey will end with the arrival from the canoeists at Playa Fundadores, next to the ferry port at 12:00 p.m.

Xcaret recently hosted the 1st Mexican Wine Festival in the Riviera Maya.

Check this video from last weekend’s canoe race!

Apparently, time passes by more slowly on Fridays, so we want to help you with that. If you are not very busy in the office, take a break and challenge your mind to help us find the answers to this Yucatan Holidays’ Word Puzzle! We have 15 words related to what Yucatan Holidays offers to everyone looking for an unforgettable vacation experience in Mexico.

You may be wondering, What’s in it for me?
Since we hope you’ll help us to solve this puzzle, we’ll give away our Cancun vacation prize to everyone (5 days/4 nights hotel accommodation in Cancun for a family, spa credit and transportation from the airport) who completes the quest! Yes, I mean everyone. So here’s what you have to do:

1) Find the 15 words in the puzzle below. (note: the words are up, down, diagonal and in reverse order)

2) Click the SHARE button below ( & Tweet if you have an account) to invite your friends to enter & win.

3) Send the list of the words you found to:  yhcontests@gmail.com by Monday 28th, 2011

On Monday we’ll publish on Facebook & Twitter the answers to the Yucatan Holidays’ Word Puzzle and the winners will be notified via email!

Ready? Good luck!

Last night the New York Red Bull team played against the Atlante FC in Cancun for the chance to win the Gol Marketing Cup 2011. The “Red Bulls” won during the penalty shootout after 90 minutes without any goals.

The New York Red Bulls played with all their stars including the Mexican Rafa Márquez and the French striker Thierry Henry. All the team is sponsored by Yucatan Holidays for the preseason 2011 in Mexico and have been training in the Riviera Maya since last week.

A) Winners must be 25 years of age or older and be residents of the United States and Canada.

B) No purchase necessary to enter or win. Making a purchase will not increase your chances of winning.

C) Contest is limited to one (1) entry per person/email address.

D) Employees of Yucatan Holidays and their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries (collectively, the “Promotion Entities”) are ineligible to participate.

E) Entrants may not participate with multiple email addresses or under multiple identities, nor may entrants use any device or artifice to enter or to enter more than once per day during the Sweepstakes or as multiple entrants.

F) By entering, entrant agrees to the receipt of future promotional information from Yucatan Holidays. You may unsubscribe at any time.

G) Prizes:

a. One (1) Grand Prize of an All Inclusive (all meals and drinks inside the resort) stay for two adults in the Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort & Nature Park in the Riviera Maya will be awarded randomly from among all entries received. The prize includes one way airport-hotel transportation and $30 USD in spa credit per adult. The prize does not include airfare. ARV: $2,500 USD

b.
6 Second Place winners will receive 2 premium Skybox tickets to a New York Red Bull team regular season game in New York. Certain restrictions apply

H) Winners of the Grand and other prizes will be contacted by email using the contact information provided during entry. If unable to contact a prize winner within three (3) days from first attempt, an alternate winner will be randomly selected.

⇨ GO BACK TO THE GIVEAWAY PAGE

Rafa Márquez, Thierry Henry, John Rooney, Conor Chinn and the rest of the team have been training at the Barceló resort and on the beach of Hacienda Tres Ríos resort where they are also staying. The “Red Bulls” are getting ready for tomorrow’s match against Cancun’s soccer team, Atlante FC. Please follow Yucatan Holidays on Facebook and Twitter for updates, photos and to join the sweepstakes to win tickets for a New York Red Bull match in NYC!

Photos courtesy of Red Bull New York