Xcaret Park Evening Show

Several folks have recommended the evening show at the park as a must-see. So that's the last activity we did before returning home. It did not disappoint. It was a combination of sports, religious history, and a review of the costumes of the different regions of Mexico.


Below is the stadium where events take place. It is built around a traditional "ball court".


The crowd is provided candles, to signify the solemnity and importance of the ball court ceremony.

At each end of the court are attendants, who will surround the visiting royalty. The games were usually played between two cities and towns - the civil aspect. The religious aspect of the ball game is to honor the spirits of the earth and sky - an opportunity to bring them together.

The game starts with the sound of the gilded conch blowing.

The little girl represents a pure spirit, which pleases the gods.

A short dedication ceremony...

The priests or royalty are seated at opposing ends of the court.

The game is played. Several differences from the original ball game - there are multiple goals made during the game here, and the goal rings are lower and not the usual 20 feet in the air. Also, solid rubber balls were originally used, requiring padded hip, shoulder, and leg guards. Only the hips, shoulders and legs are allowed to be used.

The winner is pronounced and honored. In the real games, it is uncertain what really happened. Some say the the captain of the winning team is beheaded (an honor) as a tribute to the gods. Others say it was a slave who was sacrificed. Others believe that no sacrifice was made.

For the second game, Fireball was played. I don't think that this was actually played in the ancient times. The same court is used, but flaming balls are used. The players use implements like hockey sticks, and the goals are at the end of the court so that flaming balls don't accidentally end-up in the crowd. The lights are out, and it is quite an entertaining spectacle.

Below is an introductory ceremony, presided by a god of fire, who ignites the first ball.

A small Mayan ensemble provides the music.

And the game is played.

Periodically, a new ball is introduced by lighting it and rolling down the slanted wall into the court.

The next phase of the show reenacts the conquering of the Mayans by the Spanish.

This scene shows the first encounter between the two cultures. The high priest with the feathered headdress, representing abundant knowledge - and the conquistador.

A battle for dominance ensues.

The conquistadors are triumphant.

The Mayans are forced to erect a cross, with a noose, representing religious enslavement .

This is a new scene where a contemporary man is reminiscing about the colonial days of Mexico.

The various States in Mexico were represented by dances and costumes. The photos below are a sample of them:

Dance of the Old Men

The Veracruz dance was the most colorful.

The Flyn' Mayans were part of the Veracruz section.

And looked pretty spectacular in the lights.

The show ended with some contemporary Mexican songs.

Thanks for viewing our trip !!!

Contemporary Xcaret Park

This post is about the more contemporary Xcaret Park. A very popular place.


These are the Flyin' Mayans. Their routine is based in custom. They start at the top of a tall pole, attached to a rope that is wound tightly.


As the rope unwraps, they spin rapidly, descending to the ground.

This is another aspect of their performance. As they spin around vertically.

Here's the team, finally grounded.

The park's major theme is centered around water, and the role it plays. A major attraction are the indoor & outdoor aquariums.

The Coral Reef Aquarium building simulates going into a Mayan tomb.

It has state-of-the-art exhibits.

Mimi is especially fascinated with the jelly fish exhibit.

These fish are pure black and look like shadows swimming around.

Nice hands-on exhibits. You get to handle a sea slug!

Pencil fish.

And lots of live corals.

Bat rays in the outdoor section.

A large exhibit about sea turtles. This one shows a turtle nest in different stages of hatching.

They have several tanks with babies in different stages of development.

They get very large as adults. Looks like several hundred pounds.

The manatees are fascinating--a throw back to the dinosaur era. This one is eating lettuce.

And the fish are snacking on algae growing on the manatee's back.

The girls are taking a well-deserved rest.

As the parrots play.

So much to see !

The protected beach is a nice place to snorkel and cool off.

While the ocean roars with strong winds.

In the jungle, the monuments to an ancient civilization silently watch....

I wonder what they think about all this.

Next: Xcaret Park Night Show (last post)