I want to share with you one of my favorite vacations. And by vacation, I mean culture trip, of the toes in the sand and cocktail in hand variety. Think palm trees, toucans, iguanas, cocktails, aqua blue water, caves, and relaxation with a side of ancient Mayans.
I know what you’re thinking, “Where on earth can you sip a cocktail, dig your toes in the sand and explore ancient heritage and culture?” Well, this place is closer than you think.
It’s not some far off exotic location that takes 22 hours to fly to, it’s actually right in our backyard. Ever hear of the Sacred Mayan Journey Xcaret? What about the Riviera Maya of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula? If you’ve heard of either of those, then you already know more than I did six years ago.
I’ve experienced this trip twice now. Once alone and once with my son, bestie, Shelley of a Magical Mess and blogging buddy, Lisa Martin of My Thoughts, Ideas, and Ramblings.
To date, it’s one of the most unforgettable experiences I’ve ever had. And the best part is that in comparison to other international trips, it’s affordable. But I’m not here to tell you about a budget, I’m here to tell you about an incredible culture trip that can be taken with anyone, that will send you home with stories to tell and which lives just beyond our American border.
So What’s the Sacred Mayan Journey Xcaret Anyway?
The Sacred Mayan Journey goes back thousands of years to the earliest dates of Ancient Maya. A tradition in which Mayan villages would canoe for days to the Island of Cozumel to receive the Goddess Ixchel’s divine blessing. Today, it is remembered during an incredible two-day reenactment festival held at Xcaret Park in Playa del Carmen.