To most of the world, Halloween is now known as a day for costumes, candy and haunted houses, but at Xcaret Park it is a time to remember the people that we have lost.  For the last four years The Festival of Life and Death, or Festival de Vida y Muerte, has been the highlight of the year in Xcaret Park.  People from all over the Mayan Riviera and the rest of the world have traveled to experience this one of a kind look into the meaning of life and death from a new perspective.  Falling so close to Halloween, The Day of the Dead is commonly misunderstood.   Halloween is a time for candy and “scary” stuff, but here at Xcaret Park, it is a celebration and a party!  The native people here have celebrated those they remember with parties, food and special traditions for as long as the last 3000 years!

During the Festival de Vida y Muerte, you can see traditional Mayan dances, plays about the cycle of life and death, taste the food specially made for the holiday and get an understanding of what it means to really remember.  At any time of the year you can see traditional Mayan dances at Xcaret Park, but only one time a year can you see the dances of life and death and for the first time in 2009, Xcaret Park invited local Mayan peoples to come share their traditional crafts, jewelry and food.   The cemetery is also “dressed up” for the occasion.  To really celebrate the dead, tradition is to create altars for those lost and in the cemetery you can see hundreds of examples of just how to honor the dead.

Decorated with photographs, sugar skulls, the favorite food of the dead, tequila or beer for adults and toys for children, these altars are a glimpse into the life of the person who is no longer with us.   By remembering and honoring the dead each year, the local people keep those they have lost alive in spirit which is the true meaning of the holiday.   The Festival of Life and Death at Xcaret Park is something to be enjoyed by the whole family and an educational glimpse into the Mayan culture.

The Festival of Life and Death is just one more amazing experience that you will find at Xcaret Park!