Velas Vallarta Announces New Equinox And Solstice Ceremonies Celebrating Huichol Culture

Velas Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is now offering guests a chance to learn about the local Huichol culture with new equinox and solstice ceremonies. The Huichol are a Mexican indigenous group located in the states of Jalisco (where the resort is located), Nayarit, Zacatecas and Durango. Their name can be interpreted as "the healers". This year at Velas Vallarta there will be different activities where guests can immerse themselves into this important culture during the Spring and Autumn Equinox as well as the Summer and Winter Solstice.

The equinox and solstice ceremonies will be led by experts of the Huichol or Wixárika culture. During the ceremonies guests will be led through various chants and prayers to father sun tawerxik+a, dedicated to the four elements of fire, water, earth, and air with the purpose of thanking him for life. Following the chants, an offering with Copal, candles and flowers will be made to showcase gratitude. Copal has been used for centuries throughout different cultures to purify the environment and keep away evil spirits. Guests will also enjoy traditional music, dancing, and Mexican dishes including tamales, atole, tortillas and more.

The ceremonies, also known as peyote ritual or hikuri, will be held on the beach over the following days:

March 20, 2023 - Spring Equinox, celebrating the end of winter and fresh new beginnings. June 21, 2023 - Summer Solstice, marking the longest day of the year and start of summer. September 23, 2023 - Autumnal Equinox, which marks a time to give thanks to harvest and to honor the changing seasons. December 22, 2023 - Winter Solstice, celebrating the cycle of nature and marking the day of the sun's rebirth.

Nightly rates at Velas Vallarta start at $190 per person per night, based on double occupancy. All-inclusive rates include suite accommodations, a la carte gourmet meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, fitness center, taxes, gratuity, and more. For reservations or more information, please call 1-888-407-4869 or visit https://www.velasvallarta.com.

Mariachi Workshop For Kids Launches This Summer At Velas Vallarta In Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Starting this summer, kids visiting Velas Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta can now learn to be a true mariachi. Believed to have originated in Jalisco, the state in which Puerto Vallarta is found, in the 18th century, mariachi music is recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. Dressed in traditional mariachi clothing, children from 4-12 years old will be given guitar and maracas lessons from a local musician. The resort’s social media community manager will be available to take pictures of the kids in the mariachi clothing to share with parents. Held every Thursday, this class will last an hour and a half. Velas Vallarta showcases Mexico’s cultural customs with traditional arts & crafts workshops, a weekly Mexican fiesta, Mexican cuisine, and nightly musical performances from Mariachi Vallarta 2000. Led by Romero Figueroa, son of Felipe Romero Huerta, founder of the legendary mariachi “Los Pipianes” (1950 – 1982), the group has performed for 365 days a year for the last 12 years. Velas Vallarta’s extensive Kids’ Club program features an indoor area with cozy spots for arts and crafts, video games and movie entertainment and outdoor fun for the entire family. Activities such as tennis clinics, cooking lessons, magic comedy, bonfires on the beach, Mexican bingo, karaoke and more all included in the resort’s nightly rate. This summer, rates start at $180 per person per night in double occupancy. Kids and teens rates are $36 and $48 respectively per night. All-inclusive rates include suite accommodations, a la carte gourmet meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, fitness center, taxes, gratuity and more. For reservations or more information, please call 1-888-407-4869 or visithttps://www.velasvallarta.com. About Velas Vallarta Velas Vallarta is an all-inclusive family resort located on 10 oceanfront acres with lush gardens in Puerto Vallarta, walking distance of Marina Vallarta Golf Course, five minutes from Puerto Vallarta airport and just minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta. Situated on the emerald waters of Banderas Bay, Velas Vallarta features 345 suites in three eight-story buildings, a high-tech Convention Center that can accommodate up to 700 people, three swimming pools, a rejuvenating spa along with spa cabins seaside, fitness center, multiple restaurants, and an inviting lounge with live music. Nightly theme dinners and local specialties are sure to please even the most discerning palate, and room service is available around the clock. When it comes to daytime and evening entertainment, guests can choose from an exciting and original array of activities and events, from Straw Mosaics, making piñatas and jewelry, yoga on the jetty to Mexican fiestas and casino nights. The Kids' Club also welcomes children under 13 with supervised activities like treasure hunt, face painting, sand castles to crafting with beads, allowing parents to indulge in a choice of exciting or relaxing pursuits like a game of golf, a variety of excursions or pampering at the spa. In addition, the resort was one of the first in the destination with a Green Globe certification, dating back to 2008. Puerto Vallarta features championship golf courses, world-class spas and magnificent beaches, not to mention various sports and activities up in the Sierra Madre Mountains. The possibilities for rest and relaxation, or fun and excitement, are endless. Velas Vallarta was built and is operated by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, founder and president of Velas Resorts, with brother Juan Vela, vice president of Velas Resorts, by his side.