With Mexico's rich cultural heritage, its traditional dances are an essential part of its artistic and festive expression. Resorts, especially in coastal destinations like Cancún, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, and Riviera Maya, often feature performances of these folkloric dances as part of their entertainment programs. These dances vary by region and tell stories of history, love, war, and daily life.
What to Expect at a Resort Performance in Mexico
At a Mexican resort, traditional dance performances are often featured in cultural nights, dinner shows, and holiday celebrations. These photos were taken at the GR CARIBE RESORT in CANCUN MEXICO. Be prepared to experience the wonderful expressions of the regions of Mexico with:
-Live music (Mariachi, Banda, Jarocho, or Norteño groups).
-Colorful costumes representing each region.
-Interactive performances, where guests may be invited to join in.
-Dances tied to seasonal festivities, such as Day of the Dead, Mexican Independence Day, or Christmas posadas. These performances provide an exciting and immersive way for visitors to experience Mexico’s rich history, culture, and artistry while enjoying a vacation.
Here's some of the regions you might see represented:
1. Jarabe Tapatío (Mexican Hat Dance – Jalisco)
Region: Jalisco (but recognized as Mexico’s national dance)
The Jarabe Tapatío is one of the most well-known traditional dances of Mexico. It is characterized by its flirtatious nature, performed by a couple where the male dancer, dressed as a charro (Mexican cowboy), courts the female dancer, often wearing a vibrant china poblana dress. The dance includes fancy footwork, rhythmic stomping, and the famous moment where the male dancer tosses his sombrero on the ground, and the female dancer twirls around it.
2. Danza de los Voladores (Dance of the Flyers – Veracruz, Totonac People)
Region: Veracruz, Puebla, and parts of Central Mexico
This is one of Mexico’s most breathtaking traditional performances. It is an ancient Mesoamerican ritual still practiced today by the Totonac people. The dance involves five participants: four "flyers" and one "caporal" (leader). The caporal plays a flute and drum while standing on a 30-meter-high pole. Meanwhile, the four dancers, representing the four cardinal directions, tie themselves with ropes and leap off, gracefully spinning as they descend to the ground.
Resorts sometimes have special setups to allow this performance, especially in coastal areas with a strong indigenous heritage.
3. Son Jarocho (Veracruz, Gulf Coast)
Region: Veracruz
This is a vibrant and rhythmic dance style that originated in the port city of Veracruz, blending indigenous, Spanish, and African influences. The most famous Son Jarocho song is La Bamba. The dance features intricate footwork (similar to tap dancing) performed on a wooden platform called a tarima. Dancers wear traditional white outfits, with women donning flowing skirts and men in guayabera shirts.
4. Danza del Venado (Deer Dance – Sonora, Yaqui People)
Region: Sonora (Northwestern Mexico)
This dance is a sacred ritual of the Yaqui people, representing the struggle between a deer and hunters. The dancer playing the deer wears a headdress with real deer antlers and moves gracefully to mimic the animal’s movements. The hunters, dressed in traditional attire, accompany the performance with rhythmic drumming and chanting.
At a resort, La Bamba is often a crowd favorite, and some shows even encourage guests to join in the lively dance.
5. La Danza de los Viejitos (Dance of the Old Men – Michoacán, Purépecha Culture)
Region: Michoacán
This humorous yet skillful dance originates from the Purépecha people of Michoacán. Dancers wear masks resembling old men with exaggerated wrinkles and long white beards. They pretend to be frail and hunched over, using canes, but suddenly burst into energetic and playful movements.
At a resort, this dance often entertains audiences with its comedic timing and impressive footwork, usually performed to traditional son music.
6. Danza de los Diablos (Dance of the Devils – Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Afro-Mexican Communities)
Region: Guerrero and Oaxaca (Afro-Mexican culture)
Rooted in Afro-Mexican traditions, this dance was historically performed during the Day of the Dead to honor ancestors. Dancers wear devil masks with long horns, painted in bright colors, and shake rattles while moving to a heavy drumbeat. It represents a blend of indigenous, African, and Spanish influences.
Resorts, particularly in Huatulco and Acapulco, may showcase this dance, especially during Day of the Dead celebrations.
7. Polka Norteña (Northern Polka – Northern Mexico)
Region: Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and other northern states
Influenced by European settlers, Polka Norteña is a fast-paced, partner dance commonly performed in northern Mexico. It features accordion music, quick foot movements, and twirls, often danced at fiestas and rodeos. The dancers wear cowboy boots, hats, and traditional ranchero attire.
At resorts in Los Cabos, Monterrey, or along the northern borders, this dance may be performed as part of a norteño music show.
8. La Danza del Torito (Little Bull Dance – Various States)
Region: Guerrero, Oaxaca, Michoacán, Jalisco
This is a fiesta-style dance that tells the story of a wild bull running through a town, with dancers playing the role of the bull, farmers, and townspeople. The "bull" is often represented by a dancer wearing a large bull-shaped headdress, while others engage in playful choreography.
Many all-inclusive resorts with cultural night performances include this lively and comedic dance, often set to banda or mariachi music.
9. Huapango (Central & Eastern Mexico)
Region: Veracruz, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, Hidalgo
Huapango is a fast-paced dance with complicated zapateado (foot tapping) and an intense rhythm. It’s performed in pairs, and the dancers must match their footwork perfectly to the beat of the jarana, requinto, and violin. The dance style varies slightly depending on the state, but it always showcases technical precision and energy.
Resorts in Gulf Coast areas sometimes feature this dance in their folkloric presentations.
Needless to say, the performance was truly breathtaking. Everything was blended perfectly together—the music, the dancing, and the songs. Each region proudly and creatively displayed the dances from their origins. Although mostly fast-paced, you could easily follow the stories they were telling through their rhythmic and flawless moves. If you visit or vacation at a resort in Mexico, you'll look forward to enjoying these shows during your visit.
Here's some other great RELATED PRODUCTS that you might enjoy.
Links provided by Amazon Associates- As an Amazon Associate , I earn from qualifying purchases.
TRADITIONAL DANCE IN MEXICO
by D. MARQUIS
Mar 12
Photos by D.Marquis
With Mexico's rich cultural heritage, its traditional dances are an essential part of its artistic and festive expression. Resorts, especially in coastal destinations like Cancún, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, and Riviera Maya, often feature performances of these folkloric dances as part of their entertainment programs. These dances vary by region and tell stories of history, love, war, and daily life.
What to Expect at a Resort Performance in Mexico
At a Mexican resort, traditional dance performances are often featured in cultural nights, dinner shows, and holiday celebrations. These photos were taken at the GR CARIBE RESORT in CANCUN MEXICO. Be prepared to experience the wonderful expressions of the regions of Mexico with:
-Live music (Mariachi, Banda, Jarocho, or Norteño groups).
-Colorful costumes representing each region.
-Interactive performances, where guests may be invited to join in.
-Dances tied to seasonal festivities, such as Day of the Dead, Mexican Independence Day, or Christmas posadas.
These performances provide an exciting and immersive way for visitors to experience Mexico’s rich history, culture, and artistry while enjoying a vacation.
Here's some of the regions you might see represented:
1. Jarabe Tapatío (Mexican Hat Dance – Jalisco)
Region: Jalisco (but recognized as Mexico’s national dance)
The Jarabe Tapatío is one of the most well-known traditional dances of Mexico. It is characterized by its flirtatious nature, performed by a couple where the male dancer, dressed as a charro (Mexican cowboy), courts the female dancer, often wearing a vibrant china poblana dress. The dance includes fancy footwork, rhythmic stomping, and the famous moment where the male dancer tosses his sombrero on the ground, and the female dancer twirls around it.
2. Danza de los Voladores (Dance of the Flyers – Veracruz, Totonac People)
Region: Veracruz, Puebla, and parts of Central Mexico
This is one of Mexico’s most breathtaking traditional performances. It is an ancient Mesoamerican ritual still practiced today by the Totonac people. The dance involves five participants: four "flyers" and one "caporal" (leader). The caporal plays a flute and drum while standing on a 30-meter-high pole. Meanwhile, the four dancers, representing the four cardinal directions, tie themselves with ropes and leap off, gracefully spinning as they descend to the ground.
Resorts sometimes have special setups to allow this performance, especially in coastal areas with a strong indigenous heritage.
3. Son Jarocho (Veracruz, Gulf Coast)
Region: Veracruz
This is a vibrant and rhythmic dance style that originated in the port city of Veracruz, blending indigenous, Spanish, and African influences. The most famous Son Jarocho song is La Bamba. The dance features intricate footwork (similar to tap dancing) performed on a wooden platform called a tarima. Dancers wear traditional white outfits, with women donning flowing skirts and men in guayabera shirts.
4. Danza del Venado (Deer Dance – Sonora, Yaqui People)
Region: Sonora (Northwestern Mexico)
This dance is a sacred ritual of the Yaqui people, representing the struggle between a deer and hunters. The dancer playing the deer wears a headdress with real deer antlers and moves gracefully to mimic the animal’s movements. The hunters, dressed in traditional attire, accompany the performance with rhythmic drumming and chanting.
At a resort, La Bamba is often a crowd favorite, and some shows even encourage guests to join in the lively dance.
5. La Danza de los Viejitos (Dance of the Old Men – Michoacán, Purépecha Culture)
Region: Michoacán
This humorous yet skillful dance originates from the Purépecha people of Michoacán. Dancers wear masks resembling old men with exaggerated wrinkles and long white beards. They pretend to be frail and hunched over, using canes, but suddenly burst into energetic and playful movements.
At a resort, this dance often entertains audiences with its comedic timing and impressive footwork, usually performed to traditional son music.
CANCUN, MEXICO #15 CANVAS PRINT
by itsallarts
6. Danza de los Diablos (Dance of the Devils – Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Afro-Mexican Communities)
Region: Guerrero and Oaxaca (Afro-Mexican culture)
Rooted in Afro-Mexican traditions, this dance was historically performed during the Day of the Dead to honor ancestors. Dancers wear devil masks with long horns, painted in bright colors, and shake rattles while moving to a heavy drumbeat. It represents a blend of indigenous, African, and Spanish influences.
Resorts, particularly in Huatulco and Acapulco, may showcase this dance, especially during Day of the Dead celebrations.
7. Polka Norteña (Northern Polka – Northern Mexico)
Region: Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and other northern states
Influenced by European settlers, Polka Norteña is a fast-paced, partner dance commonly performed in northern Mexico. It features accordion music, quick foot movements, and twirls, often danced at fiestas and rodeos. The dancers wear cowboy boots, hats, and traditional ranchero attire.
At resorts in Los Cabos, Monterrey, or along the northern borders, this dance may be performed as part of a norteño music show.
8. La Danza del Torito (Little Bull Dance – Various States)
Region: Guerrero, Oaxaca, Michoacán, Jalisco
This is a fiesta-style dance that tells the story of a wild bull running through a town, with dancers playing the role of the bull, farmers, and townspeople. The "bull" is often represented by a dancer wearing a large bull-shaped headdress, while others engage in playful choreography.
Many all-inclusive resorts with cultural night performances include this lively and comedic dance, often set to banda or mariachi music.
9. Huapango (Central & Eastern Mexico)
Region: Veracruz, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, Hidalgo
Huapango is a fast-paced dance with complicated zapateado (foot tapping) and an intense rhythm. It’s performed in pairs, and the dancers must match their footwork perfectly to the beat of the jarana, requinto, and violin. The dance style varies slightly depending on the state, but it always showcases technical precision and energy.
Resorts in Gulf Coast areas sometimes feature this dance in their folkloric presentations.
Needless to say, the performance was truly breathtaking. Everything was blended perfectly together—the music, the dancing, and the songs. Each region proudly and creatively displayed the dances from their origins. Although mostly fast-paced, you could easily follow the stories they were telling through their rhythmic and flawless moves. If you visit or vacation at a resort in Mexico, you'll look forward to enjoying these shows during your visit.
CANCUN #8 POSTER
by itsallarts
CUSTOM POSTCARDS- CANCUN COLLAGE 5
by itsallarts
Here's some other great RELATED PRODUCTS that you might enjoy.
Links provided by Amazon Associates- As an Amazon Associate , I earn from qualifying purchases.
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THESE GREAT ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS AT OUR EBAY STORE
Want to get $30 off a hotel on the Expedia app? Use my link to sign up (it's free to join) and get your discount code: https://www.expedia.com/refer?refcode=Damion4ctk51