By Michelle da Silva Richmond
If you’re tempted to trade icicles and snowflakes for sandy shores and tranquil seas for your Christmas and end-of-year celebrations, then you should definitely check into our award-winning seaside resort for the holidays.
We’ll be offering a festive atmosphere with the largest Christmas tree in town as a glittery centerpiece for our customized Christmas and New Year’s menus and festivities, peppered with time-honored Mexican traditions.
Christmas celebrations in Mexico are marked by diverse traditions and attractions, which – combined with the sunny weather, good food and friendly residents found here – drive thousands of tourists south of the border this time of year.
Celebrating Christmas –
Posadas, a longstanding tradition carried out nightly during the Christmas season in Mexico are both a religious and social celebration, honoring the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Typically carried out December 16 – 24, they are one of the most impressive holiday customs staged throughout Mexico. Originally created by Spanish Conquistadors to teach the Aztecs the story of the birth of Jesus, they coincided with the nine-day Fiestas del Sol, celebrating the birth of the Aztec Sun God, Huitzilopochtli.
In keeping with tradition, Grand Coral Beach Fiesta Americana will host a festive posada on December 23, treating our guests to a true Mexican fiesta. On tap will be customary food such as tamales, tacos, buñuelos, punch and other seasonal dishes along with caroling and fun activities. The Posada will culminate in children breaking a colorful piñata, which will be overflowing with candy and toys for the kids, and gift certificates for Gem Spa treatments, upgrades and more for the adults.
Between December 20 – 31 nearby Kulkulkán Plaza will be the scene of free concerts, starting at 6 p.m. with Cancun’s well-known City Choir entertaining guests with Christmas carols and other songs of the season.
All resort restaurants will showcase traditional Christmas Eve and Christmas Day fare, ensuring that you’ll be savoring the holiday dishes you’re accustomed to, as well as some tasty Mexican recipes.
Ringing in the New Year
Savvy visitors lucky enough to be ringing in the New Year on our scenic shores will be able to celebrate with an elegant evening brimming with this year’s innovative “Coral Fire” theme. This interactive bash will transform one of our ballrooms into a colorful simulated underwater sanctuary complete with a blazing fire show via video-mapping technology, promising a memorable finale to 2017.
Also featured will be an international gourmet buffet, open bar and a live show with talented acrobats and electronic DJ guaranteed to have revelers dancing the night away. Live broadcasts from world capitals will be capped by a champagne toast at midnight.
The beat will go on till 4 a.m. when another round of Mexican tasty “staples” will be unveiled in a bountiful buffet, to include chilaquiles, tamales, tacos and Mexican botanas (canapés), complemented by a beer bar and flambéed coffee stations.
On New Year’s Day the Viña del Mar will host a champagne brunch, kicking off your taste buds – and 2018 – with a whole new round of tempting dishes highlighted by our legendary Mexican hospitality.
As we say in Mexico: Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año Nuevo!