Paddling to Cozumel.

Following last year's success, the second annual 'Sacred Mayan Crossing' will take place at the end of the month. Thirty 26-foot canoes, each with a crew of four to six, will paddle from the mainland to Cozumel and back. The 3 day event re-creates ancient ritual pilgrimages undertaken by the original inhabitants of Yucatán to Polé (Xcaret) and then on by canoe to Cuzamil (Cozumel).

This year, the celebration will begin with a pilgrimage to Xcaret. All night long, guests will participate in rituals and supplications to the goddess Ix Chel, as they wait for the first rays of dawn, when they will send the canoes off to Cozumel.

In Cozumel, offerings will be made to the goddess, who will once more send a message back to the inhabitants of Mayan lands. The canoes will then paddle to Playa del Carmen on the mainland, bringing with them the goddess' omens of good fortune.

Sacred Mayan rituals.

For the Maya, this journey was a mystical undertaking in which they were profoundly affected by their intimate contact with the forces of nature.

This year's event takes place from May 30th to June 1st. You can meet the canoeists when they arrive at the Caletita marina in Cozumel at 12 noon on May 31st or join them for the ceremonies at 8pm the same day at Chankanaab Park.

On June 1st at 6am they will leave from Chankanaab to paddle back to Playa Mamitas beach in Playa del Carmen. The organizers request that attendees dress in white for the events.

For more information visit the Travesía Sagrada Maya website.

You can also see our article about the 2007 crossing, book day trips to Xcaret or learn about Ix Chel and the Mayan ruins at San Gervasio, in our Things To Do section.