WHY IT RATES: These destinations and hotels are great places to partake in a Mexican Independence Day celebration this September.-Codie Richards, Associate Editor
Mexican Independence Day is a special day in Mexico where celebration rings throughout the country. Visitors can expect mariachi performances, singing, dancing and fireworks dotting the night sky.
In Mexico City, the Mexican president will ring a bell and repeat the "Cry of Dolores"-when Miguel Hidalgo urged Mexicans to rise up against the Spanish government-to a crowd that has reached numbers over 500,000 in years past.
Throughout the country, similar festivities will take place. Here's a list of destinations and hotels where travelers can join in on the festivities and party like locals!
Highlights Include
-A vibrant market with ferris wheels, singing and dancing in Campeche
-Fireworks, food booths and tequila massages in Acapulco
-Ballet performances at Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta and Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun
-A "Chef Parade" at Live Aqua Cancun
-A Charreria show on the beach at Bahia Principe
-Mexican Kermasse (block party) at Grand Oasis Cancun
Destinations
Acapulco
On September 15th, start your Mexican Independence celebration at Acapulco's Central Market, where you can buy commemorative decorations such as flags, piñatas, pin wheels or ribbons. The market is just a 15-minute walk from Acapulco's main street, Avenida Costera. The street is decorated with green, white and red lights (the colors of the Mexican flag) for the occasion.
By nighttime, be sure to make your way to the Zocalo, the city's main square, where government officials and a big crowd of locals, gather to repeat the traditional "Cry of Dolores" at 11 p.m. Join them in joyful chanting, all you need to do is shout "Viva!" when everyone else does. After the official proclamation, enjoy the fireworks and visit the food booths installed along the pier. Here locals will eat and party until dawn.
The next morning on September 16th, which is Mexico's actual Independence Day, visit Vidanta Acapulco's Brio Spa, and enjoy their unique "Tequila massage." This 80-minute massage takes an innovative approach to whole body gentle exfoliation by using an infusion made with sea salt, essential oils and tequila.
Have lunch at La Casa de Tere, a little hole-in-the-wall- type of restaurant that claims to have the best pozole in town. Pozole is a celebratory dish, a broth made of hominy (dried corn), pork or chicken, chile peppers and vegetables. It's usually accompanied by tostadas, big crunchy dried and fried corn tortillas.
If you're in town for one more week and are up for the challenge, participate in the Independence Open Water Marathon, a swimming event with 3 different categories that will take place on September 24th along the shore of Acapulco.
Campeche
To celebrate history in Campeche, the Mexican state on the Yucatan Peninsula, people unite in the capital city's Moch-Couho plaza, next to the government palace. On September 15, the governor of the State of Campeche, along with thousands of guests, will join to celebrate what is known as Miguel Hidalgo's "cry for independence." As one of the leaders of the revolution, he made the cry for help in the town of Dolores, Guanajato. The Town Hall secretary or another government representative will read the Act of Independence to the crowd. The governor then takes the stage to address the crowd.
Afterward, a fireworks spectacle and video mapping show take place. The multimedia projection uses special effects and music to recreate the events that happened in 1810. Then the celebration truly kicks off with singing and dancing. In 2016, Yuri, a renowned Mexican singer and television host, took the stage to delight attendees. This year's act is yet to be announced but is sure to be just as exciting!
Travelers who visit Campeche during the Independence Day festivities will also come across the Feria de San Román, a religious festival in Campeche that begins on September 14 to honor the beloved Cristo Negro (Black Christ) of Iglesia de San Román. A vibrant market with ferris wheels, food and local crafts takes over the city. Activities like boxing matches and a music and dance competition where locals dress in traditional attire take place, followed by a fireworks display adorning the night sky.
Hotels and Resorts
La Colección
La Colección is comprised of 12 hotels located in the best beach destinations around the country, so celebrating the country's independence is a must! Below is a summary of some of the properties' celebrations.
Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach: Gearing Up For El Grito!
As Mexico gears up for its annual Independence Day celebration, also known as "El Grito de Dolores," Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach prepares to celebrate in style at their award-winning La Joya Restaurant. Typical Mexican delicacies will be dished up at food stations throughout the restaurant, accompanied by a domestic open bar from 7 p.m. to midnight. Colorful entertainment will include mariachis and musical trios, along with the live broadcast of the "Independence Day Ceremony" directly from Mexico City.
Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All-Inclusive & Spa
Every year Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All-Inclusive & Spa plans an elaborate Mexican celebration, which includes wonderful ballet and mariachi performances, a large buffet of delicious typical Mexican cuisine and amazing fireworks. This year, they will be hosting this celebration in their pool's terrace, and all staff will be adorned in traditional dress known as "charro and china poblana."
Live Aqua Cancun
Live Aqua Cancun celebrates Mexico's Independence with a grand "Chef Parade" where the resort's chefs present a delectable food tasting for guests to enjoy at the pool. Staff will also be dressed in traditional costume to interact with guests as they enjoy vibrant dinners and music during the festivity.
Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun
Aside from mouthwatering Mexican gastronomy and treats El Mexicano Restaurant, Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun will host an exquisite tequila tasting at the pool to educate guests about the properties of the Mexican drink. Mexican independence characters like Miguel Hidalgo, Jose Ma Morelos, Josefa Ortiz and Ignacio Allende will also be present at the property to share Mexico's journey to independence with guests. Other celebrations include a beautiful folkloric ballet performance in the main pool and a "Noche Mexicana" held in the main pool which will celebrate "el grito de la independencia."
In addition to the exciting Mexican Independence Day activities happening at Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun and Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All-Inclusive & Spa, they are also highlighting a typical Mexican delicacy, known as "Chiles en Nogada," which in its absence would make a true Mexican celebration incomplete.
The dish is made up of mouth-watering ingredients such as, poblano chilis, picadillo, walnut-based cream sauce and pomegranate seeds that encompass the traditional flavors of authentic Mexican cuisine and even paint out the three colors of the Mexican flag: green, white and red. Guests will surely indulge in this delicious treat while celebrating Mexico's Independence Day!
Bahia Principe Hotels and Resorts
Bahia Principe's picture perfect properties in Riviera Maya offer plenty of opportunities to feel the spirit of Mexican Independence Day. During the day, a beach party will feature traditional Mexican games, activities, contests and a Charreria show. Charreria is a Mexican take on rodeo developed after the Mexican Revolution. In 2016, it was included in UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Guests will love the cultural display as horses visit the beach with cowboys and cowgirls in traditional attire.
At Hacienda Doña Isabel-the brand's Riviera Maya version of the Pueblo Principe villages that feature stores with local crafts, bars and clubs-the fun will kick up in the evening. Hotel guests will gather for a Mexican party including festive décor, mariachi performances, folk dancing and a video mapping highlighting the events that took place in 1810.
With four resorts in Riviera Maya to choose from, it's easy for guests to find the perfect fit. For families, Grand Bahia Principe Coba and Grand Bahia Principe Tulum offer adventure including a water park and kids club. At Luxury Bahia Principe Akumal and Luxury Bahia Principe Sian Ka'an, both Don Pablo Collection properties, guests can experience the brand's highest level of luxury. Akumal offers a peaceful paradise with some adults-only areas. Sian Ka'an is fully adults-only and ideal for the active traveler, surrounded by one of the brand's beautifully manicured golf courses and with plenty of other sports activities to choose from.
Oasis Hotels and Resorts
Grand Oasis Cancun will host an official "Grito de Independencia" event including a Mexican Kermesse, or block party by the pool and garden, followed by a Mexican show and an Oasis company show.
It wouldn't be a complete Mexican celebration without a fiesta! At 10 p.m. guests can head over to the official "Fiesta de Independencia" at the Oasis Cancun Beach Club where there will be a DJ, Go-go dancers and several contests to participate in. There will also be a live stream of "El Grito de Independencia" that will lead up to the grand finale firework display.
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