Xcaret, Riviera Maya, June 7, 2025. In a moving gathering with the community—amidst nature, spirituality, and our country’s cultural roots—Grupo Xcaret held another edition of the Melipona Bee Ceremony at Xel-Há Park, reaffirming its commitment to environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and the promotion of sustainable tourism.
For 26 consecutive years, this ritual has been celebrated at Xel-Há Park alongside the communities that safeguard this living tradition. It is they who, from generation to generation, have shared the knowledge associated with the Xunán Kaab—the Melipona bee—a native stingless species considered sacred by the indigenous peoples of the Yucatán Peninsula. Its significance transcends the ecological realm; it is an essential part of the traditional Mayan milpa agricultural system, and its honey—though scarce, with a yield of barely one and a half liters per year—is prized for its medicinal properties and spiritual dimension.
The ceremony is led by tradition-bearers from the Carrillo Puerto community—priest Juvencio Cen Un, beekeeper Don Gregorio Vázquez Canché, and veterinarian and beekeeper Manuel Vázquez Cetina—as an act of gratitude and a prayer for natural balance and abundant harvests. Recognized as an expression of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Mayan people, this ancestral practice was held up to six times a year in pre-Hispanic times. Today, Xel-Há keeps this legacy alive through two annual ceremonies, reaffirming its commitment to equity and respect for human rights by providing dignified spaces where communities can proudly and freely share their culture, spirituality, and worldview. “At Xel-Há, we recognize that protecting the Melipona bee is vital not only for ecological balance but also for preserving a worldview in which humans and nature coexist in harmony. This ceremony represents our bond with the nearby community—whose visits honor and dignify us—thereby strengthening a relationship that has spanned many years,” stated Elizabeth Lugo, Executive Director of Parks and Tours at Grupo Xcaret.
Today, the Melipona bee faces significant threats: habitat loss, climate change, and displacement by bee species that offer higher economic yields, such as the European honey bee. In response to this situation, Grupo Xcaret not only actively protects its hives but also promotes educational programs for visitors and local communities, aiming to raise awareness about the species’ importance to biodiversity and cultural heritage.
This effort is part of a comprehensive strategy that integrates scientific research, environmental education, and the promotion of sustainable practices, reaffirming Grupo Xcaret’s purpose: “To make the planet happier by sharing our deep love for Mexico.”
