September 16 marks Mexican Independence Day—the day when Miguel Hidalgo urged a crowd of 500,000 to rise up against the Spanish government back in 1810. Once the Mexican president rings the bell and repeats the “Cry of Dolores” (Hidalgo’s famous speech) in Mexico City, celebrations officially begin, and a handful of Mexican resorts and hotels across the country are inviting travelers who wish to celebrate the national holiday at their destinations with special events.
La Colección
Twelve beachfront hotels comprise La Colección, and all of them are celebrating the holiday in some capacity. Highlights of the La Colleción celebrations include:
- Gearing Up for El Grito! at Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun: Independence Day in Mexico is also referred to as “El Grito de Dolores,” and so the resort will be serving classic Mexican delicacies at their La Joya Restaurant and providing an open bar from 7:00 PM to midnight. Entertainment in the form of Mariachi bands, musical trios, and the live broadcast of the Independence Day Ceremony from Mexico City will accompany the celebration.
- Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All-Inclusive & Spa: Every year this resort plans an elaborate celebration for Independence Day, including ballet and mariachi performances, a buffet of Mexican cuisine and a firework display. This year’s celebration will be celebrated on their pool terrace, with all the staff adorned in traditional Mexican dress known as “charro and china poblana.”
A colorful Mariachi dancer - Live Aqua Cancun: This beachfront resort celebrates Mexico's Independence with a "Chef Parade," where the resort's chefs present a poolside food tasting, accompanied by live music. Staff will be garbed in traditional costumes to interact with guests during the celebration.
- Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun: This resort will be hosting a tequila tasting at the pool to educate guests on the beloved Mexican drink. Performers dressed up as historical Mexican figures like Miguel Hidalgo, Jose Ma Morelos, Josefa Ortiz and Ignacio Allende will also be in attendance to share their roles in Mexico’s history. Celebrations here will be closed by a folkloric ballet performance in the main pool and a “Noche Mexicana.”
- Both the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun and the Fiesta Americana Puerto Valla All-Inclusive & Spa are highlighting a Mexican delicacy reserved for Independence Day celebrations on their menus. The dish, “Chiles en Nogada,” is made from poblano chilis, picadillo, a walnut cream sauce and pomegranate seeds; when composed, the dish paints out the three colors of the Mexican flag: green, white and red.
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts
Bahia Principe’s four properties in Riviera Maya will also be joining in on the festivities. During the day, guests of these resorts are invited to a beach party that hosts traditional Mexican games, activities, contests and a Charreria Show—a Mexican-flavored rodeo developed after the Mexican Revolution. In 2016, the Charreria Show was included in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
At Hacienda Doña Isabel—the nearby Mexican village, the local craft shops, bars and clubs will host a village-wide party. Festive décor, mariachi performances, folk dancing and a video mapping highlighting the events of 1810 will be happening throughout the village.
Of the Riviera Maya resorts, Grand Bahia Principe Coba and Grand Bahia Principe Tulum both have a waterpark and a kids club making them family destinations. Luxury Bahia Principe Akumal and Luxury Bahia Sian Ka’an both offer adults-only areas as well as full golf courses.
Oasis Hotels and Resorts
Grand Oasis Cancun will also be hosting an official “Grito de Independencia” event complete with a Mexican Kermesse, a block party by the pool and garden, followed by a Mexican show and an Oasis company show. At 10 p.m. that evening guests are invited to a Fiesta at the Oasis Cancun Beach Club, where there will be a DJ, go-go dancers and several contests leading up to a grand finale firework display.
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