Playa del Carmen’s Patron Saint Festival Proposed for State Cultural Heritage Status

Chetumal, Mexico — Quintana Roo legislators are considering a proposal to declare Playa del Carmen’s annual Virgin of Carmen festival as intangible cultural heritage of the state.

The initiative, submitted by Playa del Carmen Mayor Estefanía Mercado Asencio to the state’s XVIII Legislature, seeks to formally recognize the religious celebration that takes place each July 7-16. The proposal arrived at the legislative office on November 7, 2025, and will be analyzed and voted on during the next ordinary session period beginning February 15.

If approved, the measure would require state and municipal authorities to guarantee respect, promotion, and dissemination of the festival to ensure the tradition endures. The Playa del Carmen municipal government would also need to establish an annual organizing committee responsible for planning, managing, and executing festival activities while preserving its customs and traditions.

The proposal document states that “the Patronal Festival dedicated to the Virgin of Carmen has its roots in the devotion of the first inhabitants of this fishing village, who adopted the Virgin as protector of the sea and symbol of community unity.”

During the same Permanent Commission session, legislators also reviewed several other initiatives:

• A constitutional reform proposal presented by Deputy Ricardo Velazco Rodríguez and Deputy Luz Gabriela Mora Castillo
• A constitutional amendment initiative presented by Deputy Filiberto Martínez Méndez
• A proposal to make cyber sexual harassment an imprescriptible crime, presented by Deputy Rubén Antonio Carrillo Buenfil

Commission President Jennifer Paulina Rubio Tello directed all initiatives to their respective committees for analysis and study before being put to a vote. The commission concluded its session and scheduled the next meeting for Monday, February 9 at 1:00 p.m.