If you’ve ever wondered about the Mayan’s use of astronomy to guide their daily lives, you can now dive into their night sky at Grand Velas Riviera Maya, a luxury resort that’s launching a new stargazing series for guests to learn more about the stars and planets above.
Grand Velas Riviera Maya is located on the Yucatan peninsula, surrounded by 206 acres of thick jungle and verdant mangroves. It is located near the ruins of Tulum, Coba and Chichen Itza in the very heart of Mayan heritage.
The Mayans believed that celestial events allowed them to communicate with the gods, including their supreme deity Unab-Ku. They also used the alignment of stars and planets to help with their agriculture, time-keeping and creation of their calendar. For the Mayans, the night sky was extremely important and it became a vital aspect of Meso-American culture.
For guests, the resort’s new experience immerses curious travelers into this world by allowing them to explore the same night sky as the Mayans. The stargazing is led by an expert astronomer from the Astronomic Society of Quintana Roo (SAQROO) and takes place on a decked area of the beach lit by amarantos, which are traditional Mexican candles. State-of-the-art telescopes are provided to allow guests views of popular constellations including Orion, the planet Venus and even details of the moon. While peering up at the night sky, guests will also learn about Mayan mythology and the SAQROO experts will assist guests in capturing pictures of the twinkling sky.
The experience begins at 7:30 p.m. with Mayan-themed cocktails, popcorn, nuts and juice for children being served. The stargazing begins at 10 p.m. and more details can be found from the hotel’s concierge. The experience is reserved for guests staying at Grand Velas Riviera Maya.
For more information on the resort, visit: rivieramaya.grandvelas.com