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Celebrate Halloween Riviera Maya-Style

Ancient Traditions of Mexico Bring a Unique Flavor to Halloween

If one day of Halloween just doesn’t seem like enough, why not travel to the Riviera Maya region of Mexico in Playa del Carmen for 3 full days of spooky fun, where spirits and ghosts and dearly departed souls preside over this uniquely eerie Halloween celebration from October 31 through November 2, 2004.

Starting October 31, citizens of the Riviera Maya begin to make preparations for All Saints Day or the Day of the Dead, celebrated November 1, a day for fond remembrance of all those who have passed on.  As part of the traditional festivities, families construct elaborate altars in their homes to honor the spirits and pay tribute to their late relatives.  Altar decorations include caramels, flowers, photographs, candles, incense and the favorite food and beverage of the dearly departed as well as water and a towel, to assist the spirit’s cleansing.

On November 1st, the real activities begin, with the altars being lit in honor of the holiday.  Cemeteries are given extra care, with fresh paint as well as flowers often being added and the grass being newly cut.  Children entertain themselves with scary toys like skeletons and witch dolls, often bought at the stores and markets that are filled with attire, toys and knick-knacks for the Day of the Dead including macabre skulls, skeletons, candles, crosses and funereal flowers.  Before dinner, the children go out to request their “calaverita” – a gift of money or a skull-shaped chocolate or sugar – in much the same manner as U.S. “trick-or-treating.” 

When the kids return home, dinner is prepared with typical Mexican dishes for the holiday that offer a magnificent display of regional cuisine.  Among the most popular dishes are candies, apples, sweet rice with frijoles, chicken or meat with pumpkins and sweet potatoes, beer or tequila, cups of coffee or a local beverage made from cornflour and “dead bread,” which is made with eggs, white flour and sugar in the shape of a spooky skull. 

The following day, November 2, families congregate in the cemeteries to follow tradition, reminiscing about their departed loved ones and drinking tequila while a mariachi band plays cheerily in the background and fireworks displays often top off the festivities.  In the evening, the holiday concludes with a stroll through the popular Pelican shopping mall.  The highlight of this traditional walk is approximately two dozen local costumed artists spread out onto each street corner who sing, dance and speak “satirical verses” to passerby who stop and listen, thus spreading the local folklore and traditions of All Saints Day.  The last stop on the walk is Constituyentes Avenue and 5th Street, which features a grand celebration in honor of the beloved dead – an authentic taste of Mexican tradition that can be found flourishing in the Riviera Maya.

The eighty-one mile stretch known as the Riviera Maya is situated in the Mexican Caribbean on the coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Beginning eleven miles south of the Cancun International Airport in Puerto Morelos, the Riviera Maya extends to Felipe Carrillo Puerto, a small town near the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. The region features the tranquility of uncrowded beaches, a vast network of underground rivers, over 100 cenotes, the action of eco-adventure sports including kayaking, mountain biking, scuba diving, snorkeling, trekking, bird watching and deep sea fishing, proximity to many of Mexico's most significant Mayan archeological sites, the varied activities of the eco-archeological parks, plus golf courses, shopping, gourmet dining and a range of accommodations to suit every lifestyle and budget.

For more information on the Riviera Maya call 1-866-6GO-MAYA or 011-52-984-85-92170, email at info@rivieramaya.com or visit www.rivieramaya.com.

Edited by Marilyn Miller

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