In Mexico, Día de Los Reyes (known elsewhere as Epiphany) is celebrated on January 6 to honor the Three Wise Men. This holiday represents the day the Three Wise Men gave gifts to Jesus Christ, and the day closes the Christmas festivities. It’s also the day the people of Mexico exchange gifts!

What is Three Kings’ Day?

During Día de Los Reyes, Mexicans serve Rosca de Reyes, or King’s Cake. “Rosca” means wreath and “reyes” means kings. The Rosca de Reyes has an oval shape to symbolize a crown and has a small doll inside, which represents baby Jesus. The doll figure symbolizes the hiding of the infant Jesus from King Herod’s troops. Traditionally, roscas are adorned with dried and candied fruits to symbolize the many jewels that a crown would have. The person who gets the slice with the doll must host a party on Día de la Candelaria in February.

What happens on Three Kings’ Day?

Christmas might be over, but it doesn’t mean the gift giving (and receiving) is over. Children in Latin America and Spain receive the majority of their gifts from the Three Kings, rather than from Santa Claus at Christmas. Before going to bed, the children place their old shoes with a wish list on top for the Three Kings. In the morning, the shoes are filled with toys and gifts from the Three Kings.

Thank you Tropical Tidbits

Most evenings in High Season you can walk onto the beach, just north of Olivia’s restaurant and find a group of people releasing newly hatced turtles into the sea.

On May 3 of each year, construction workers celebrate their day, but why celebrate it on Holy Cross Day?

What would the world be without the masons? Those people who, with their own hands, raise the constructions of the city and that is why they have a day in which we recognize their work.

The origin of the Day of the Holy Cross
On the other hand, according to the Catholic saints, May 3 is also the Day of the Holy Cross, because it was on that date, but in the year 326, that this relic was found that is sacred to the Catholic flock.

The finding of the relic is attributed to Helena, wife of the Roman emperor Constantius Chlorus and mother of the emperor Constantine.

The Empress Helena of Constantinople (250-329) converted to Christianity when her son Constantine already ruled the Eastern Roman Empire. Historians attribute to this woman that her son legalized Christianity in the Empire and then incited him to embrace this religion.

According to the legend, the empress traveled to Jerusalem to look for the cross where they had had Jesus Christ. To find it, he ordered to dig in the area where Monte Calvario was located, and on May 3 of the year 326 he found 3 crosses (other sources say that they were more like 3 pieces of wood).

After the discovery, the question remained: which of the three was the holy cross? To find out, he brought the three crosses to a dead man, who, the legend says, was resurrected when the third one approached him. Other versions of the legend say that it was rather a sick person who regained his health by coming into contact with the relic.

Excited, Helena made a procession through Jerusalem to show her discovery. That same day he instituted the feast of the Holy Cross. After his death, Helena was canonized.

Each Monday morning starting at 8:00 a.m. a group of walkers meet at the Lo de Marcos plaza for a one hour saunter. The average age of the walkers is 75. Sandals and shorts work for most of the time. Each week there is a different walk and is posted on Facebook page: What’s Up Lo de Marcos. There is no fee for this event.

For more serious hikers there is a scheduled hike each Thursday during High Season. The time and starting location are the same. This alternative event is also posted on Facebook page What’s Up Lo de Marcos.

Open Saturdays, November through March, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Luis Echeverria #9

This is a farmer’s market with local art, food and more. Great place to buy goods and souvenirs.

Each Friday at 4 there is a ping pong tournament and social club at
12 of Diciembre between Manglar and Tule, Near Carritos del Guapo, 63729 Lo de Marcos.

Normally there is a beginner and advance division. A pot luck provides snacks for all. This is a terrific place to meet locals and have some good clean fun.