Chetumal’s Mayas & Pirates Festival Returns for 7th Year

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The state capital is gearing up to host the seventh edition of the Mayas and Pirates Festival, a cultural and tourism event aimed at strengthening local identity and promoting Chetumal Bay as an international nautical attraction, particularly for visitors from Belize. The festival, scheduled for Friday, July 4, and Saturday, July 5, is organized by the company Tips Turismo with support from the Tourism Promotion Council, the Hotel Association of the Center and South, Canirac Chetumal, and various government agencies, including Sedetur, the municipality of Othón P. Blanco, Apiqroo, Ibanqroo, the Port Authority, Cetmar, and Ensar.

During the event's presentation, Tips Turismo executives Jorge Alberto Pérez Barrios and Minerva Rosales Soto outlined that the program includes two free public activities: the traditional Mayas and Pirates theatrical performance and sailing tours of the bay.

"We anticipate an attendance of over 1,000 visitors, including locals and tourists from Belize, thanks to our joint promotional campaign with Love FM, a leading media outlet in that country," Pérez Barrios stated.

Accompanied by the Undersecretary of Tourism, Omar Govea Hernández; the president of the Hotel Association, Raúl Andrade Angulo; and the Port Captain, Román Bustos Gómez, organizers emphasized the importance of revitalizing the recreational and touristic use of the bay to expand the state capital’s offerings and extend visitors' stays.

"It is crucial that we view Chetumal Bay as a shared economic asset with Belize. Beyond entertainment, this festival seeks to unite the community around a vision of sustainable development based on culture and navigation," said Govea Hernández.

Regarding the sailing tours, organizers confirmed that nine boats will be available for free 15- to 20-minute rides within a safe perimeter extending to the mouth of the Río Hondo. Security measures will include support from a Navy unit, Port Authority personnel, an ambulance, and state and municipal Civil Protection teams.

Since its inaugural edition in 2017, the Mayas and Pirates Festival has been a business-led initiative with strong institutional backing, designed to celebrate the region’s cultural heritage and boost tourism, particularly among Belizean visitors, who have long maintained commercial and cultural ties with Chetumal.

"We invite everyone to participate and enjoy this event that celebrates our history, our sea, and our ability to welcome visitors with open arms," the organizers concluded.