Riviera Maya, Q.R. — The Sacred Mayan Journey of 2023 began early Saturday morning as more than 300 canoeists left the Port of Polé.
The Port, which is located in Playa del Carmen, was the starting point at dawn for Mayans who began their five-hour rowing journey to the island of Cozumel. Once there, they were received by the Goddess Ixchel or Moon Goddess, who is believed to have the ability to control the cycles of the moon.
Canoeists disembarked at the Chankanaab Ecotourism Park, where they participated in pre-Hispanic dances and the delivery of offerings made by the Mayan canoeists to the Goddess Ixchel.
Cozumel Mayor Juanita Alonso said “Cozumel is the sanctuary of the Goddess Ixchel, and that is precisely why the Mayan canoeists came to the island, to worship their deity, bringing their offerings.
“We have organized this representation with the Oracle of Ixchel festival, which will take place in the Benito Juárez park on May 19, 20 and 21, which we hope will generate more visitors and above all, reinforce the long-awaited overnight tourism, so we invite all islanders and visitors to enjoy this beautiful program,” she said.
This year is the 15th edition of the Sacred Mayan Journey, which is organized by Grupo Xcaret. The purpose of the three-day event, which runs from May 19 to 21, is to promote the cultural identity of the region. A total of 349 people in 35 Maya canoes participated in the rowing sea journey that took them from Port of Polé, Playa del Carmen to Kuzamil, Cozumel.
