Saudi is the largest country in the Middle East, and fourth most populous in the MENA region with its 2020 population estimated at approximately 35 million people.

80 % of Saudis live in ten major urban centers – Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Medina, Hofuf, Taif, Khobar, Yanbu, Dhahran, Dammam.

The country is also home to a large community of expatriate residents, including those from Western markets, India and Asia who live in the cities of Riyadh, Jeddah, Yanbu and Dhahran.

Saudi is a diverse country divided into Provinces, each characterized by their own unique traditions and cultures.

Saudi is home to the two holiest cities in Islam, Makkah and Medina. Each year, the country attracts millions of Muslims who perform the annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the city of Makkah but are welcome to visit Medina.

A lovely couple wanted to renew their wedding vows and wanted to do something special and unique.

Our Spa Team has the contact of the representative person from a Mayan community. This community lives in a village, a couple hours drive from the coast, in the heart of Yucatan. They don't speak Spanish and have very little contact with the rest of society.

The village's oldest man - a "Mayan Judge", who's also their religious and political figure - together with the representative and a few assistants, came to Jashita Hotel to perform a traditional Mayan wedding ceremony for our lovely guests. On top of our Caoba Spa on the Beach (built on a beautiful wooden platform overlooking the ocean), they set up a beautiful altar with flowers and sacred objects for the Mayan culture. The judge performed a very touching ceremony that made all the witnesses cry. The ceremony concluded with the couple and the judge stepping in the ocean's water, and the sound of a big shell used as a trumpet.

A Mayan Wedding Ceremony

A notable chef could be our GM & Owner himself. Jashita's owners are an Italian family, and the property used to be their home, before becoming a hotel.

So everything at Jashita feels very cozy and homey, especially the cuisine. Food at the restaurant is homemade and prepared at the moment. Our GM is a great cook and he is very involved in the kitchen. Some dishes served at Pandano Restaurant come from his family's recipes. Last but not least, the fresh pasta, hand made every night. Guests love to get close to the chef (we have a little "pasta kart" where you can see how it's done) and watch him prepare it.

It's quite unexpected to find authentic Italian cuisine in a boutique hotel in Mèxico; but that's what makes it special. And then of course the restaurant also serves authentic Mexican (our Chef is from Merida, Yucatan) and some international dishes as well. Mexico and Italy: the best of both worlds.

Culinary Experiences