Mexican holidays and traditions

If you are traveling to Mexico, you will be amazed by the culture and by the different festivities we have. Is important that you have the following events in mind in case you are around for the following dates so that you better understand these Mexican Traditions.

Jan 6th:  Dia de los Reyes Magos (The Day of the Kings, we celebrate the day when the Magic Kings brought gifts to baby Jesus, families and friends usually get together and eat a traditional bread prepared especially for this day "Rosca de Reyes".

   

Not only is this bread unique for this day, but it also, inside it has mini baby Jesus, that if you get them the slice of bread you get, it represents blessings for all your coming year. Whoever gets the baby Jesus inside must make a dinner with tamales on Feb 2nd, explained below.

Feb 2nd: Dia de la Candelaria (The holiday marks the end of the Christmas season in Mexico. Families and friends get together to eat Tamales, provided by the people who got the baby Jesus on Jan 6th.)

Tamales

Feb 24th: Dia de la Bandera (Feb. 24th is Mexican Flag Day, this is a National holiday to celebrate the institution of the Mexican Flag.)  

First Sunday of March : Dia de la Familia (Family Day - This is a new holiday that is becoming very popular in Mexico, establish in 2005 by president Vicente Fox, this day is to reflect and value the importance of family and family values in our life)

Mar 21th: Natalicio de Benito Juarez (Benito Juarez Birthday - Often hailed as the Abraham Lincoln of Mexico and the first Indio president, this is National Holiday in Mexico)

May 1st: Dia del Trabajo (Labor Day - Very similar celebration to the one in the US)

May 5th: Patalla de Puebla (Puebla's War - Mexico celebrates the victory against the French and the beginning of Mexican liberation. This is more like an American Holiday, in Mexico is not an actual Holiday day)

May 10th: Dia de las Madres (Mother's Day - This day is dedicated to all the mothers, it's always May the 10th, whichever day of the week it is. Women who are mother's usually get the day off at work)

Sep 15th (night): Dia del Grito ("The Cry" for freedom of more than 200 years ago Sept 15, brought independence, this is a big Mexican Celebration, as families and friends get together to celebrate every Sept 15th at night)

Sep 16th: Dia de la Independencia (Independence Day)

Nov 2nd: Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead - this day is celebrate to remember all loved ones that have passed away, and you usually go to the cemetery with all your family to pray for those who have died. As an old Mexican traditions some people make an altar to remember their loved ones. There's a typical bread for this day too)



Altar de Muertos



Pan de Muertos





Nov 20th: Dia de la Revolucion (Revolution Day - Celebrating the Revolution of 1917, that brought Mexico the current edition of government)

Dec 12th: Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe (Virgen Guadalupe's Day - This is the celebration for the day of the appearance of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico.)

Dec 12th-24th Las Posadas: (Commemorates the Biblical New Testament story of Joseph and Mary's search for shelter in Bethlehem. Consists of candlelight processions as well as stops at various nativity scenes. Family and friends get together to pray and this is a preparation for Christmas. It usually has tamales and pinata)

Dec 24th: Nochebuena y Navidad (Christmas Eve and Christmas)

Soccer in Mexico

One of the most important things you don't want to miss in Mexico is going to a soccer game.

Soccer is one of the most important sports in Mexico, and going to the stadium to watch a game is must do in Mexico. Wherever you travel in Mexico, most of the main places have a soccer team, or you can easily travel to a nearby city.

Why is it a such important thing to do? Well, people in Mexico get really passionate with soccer, they honor and represent their team at the maximum level. In the stadium you will see people cheering and standing up the whole game. They have songs that they sing all the time during the game. They also have the famous "Ola" (Wave) where all the stadium stand up and raise their hands representing a wave.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsUMVNWh9fU

If you are traveling in Mexico, you don't want to miss this experience. It will be worth it.

If you are in Mexico City, you need to go to a game of "America". If you are in Guadalajara, you will see the "Chivas" playing, and if you are in Monterrey, you can watch the "Rayados".

Riviera Maya - dream vacation in Mexico

If you have a week for vacation and you want to spend it in an incredible paradise of sun, beach and Mexican culture, the Riviera Maya is your best option in Mexico. 

 

There are several options of places you could visit in one same trip.

Cancun

 

Considered by many to be the best beach-resort  in Mexico (and perhaps the world), Cancun is a tourist paradise.  It is known for its impressive white-sand beach and clear temperate waters, the area offers a variety of activities for those who want to do more than just enjoy the sun. It has one of the best night life parties in Mexico.

Chichén Itzá

 

Chichén Itzá is the best preserved and most famous of the Mayan ruins in Mexico. It is considered one of the greatest Mayan-Toltec centers in the Yucatan Peninsula and is only 90 miles from Cancun, it is a popular day trip, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This place is a must go if you are in the area, as is one of the treasures of the Mayan civilization.  Be sure to see the Great Pyramid, the Warriors Temple, the ball fields (for sports) and the astronomical observatory. You will enjoy it!

Playa del Carmen

 

Playa del Carmen, or just "Playa" it is at the center of the Riviera Maya and offers a more relaxed atmosphere, smaller boutique lodgings, nice bars by the ocean and a distinct European flavor. The ocean water is crystal blue and white sand, similar to Cancun.

If you are looking for a quite place, where to relax and lose stress, this is your best option!

Mexico overview

MEXICO TODAY

Area: 1,964,375 sq km, of which 1,959,248 sq km are continental and 5,127 sq km are islands.

Population: 112million (census 2011)

Capital City: Mexico City (Metropolitan area 22.1million est. 2012)

People: The people of Mexico today are a mixture of descendants from Spanish and other immigrants, mainly Europeans, who settled in Mexico from the 16th century onwards, and mestizos (mixed European and indigenous ancestry), as well as the many indigenous groups.

Languages: The official language is Spanish. There are at least 62 indigenous languages.

Religion(s): Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6%, other denominations 5%.

Currency: Mexican Peso, divided into 100 centavos

Major Political Parties: Partido Acción Nacional (PAN), Partido de la Revolución Democrática (PRD), Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI).

Government: Mexico has a Federal republic system of government covering the 31 states and the Federal District of Mexico with powers separated into 3 branches: independent executive (President), legislative (Congress) and judicial (Supreme Court of Justice, federal and local systems). The President is elected for a 6-year term and may not hold office a second time.