Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a fascinatingly rich tradition in Mexican culture. But what will it be like this year, and where are the best places to celebrate Día de los Muertos in Mexico? To get the inside scoop on the Day of the Dead celebration in Mexico City and Day of the Dead history, I spoke with my friend Ubish Yaren, an expert Mexico tour guide and owner of Mexico Underground, a company that offers curated Mexico City tours.
In this Mexico travel video, Yaren talks about the Day of the Dead festival and how to celebrate Day of the Dead in Mexico City, and we also get to see some cool photos from Day of the Dead in Mazatlan. He also talks about what we might expect this year, since pandemic-era restrictions can affect public events.
If you’re thinking about a Mexico vacation and looking for interesting things to do in Mexico, you may want to time your next trip to coincide with Dia de los Muertos, one of Mexico’s most interesting traditions. (También hay versión en español del video y entrevista con Ubish Yaren. ¡Haz click para verlo aquí!)
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Many people celebrate Day of the Dead by dressing up. This photo was taken in Mazatlán.
If you’re planning a Day of the Dead vacation in Mexico, by the way, the first thing to note is that the celebration, which commemorates deceased loved ones, takes place on three days. October 31 is the eve of Día de los Muertos and is sometimes called Noche de Brujas (Night of the Witches). November 1 is Day of the Innocents, which is dedicated to the memory of deceased children, while November 2 is the main Day of the Dead.
Where to Celebrate Day of the Dead in Mexico
There are lots of places to celebrate Día de los Muertos in Mexico, and each destination offers a unique take on the tradition. In Mexico City, the massive Day of the Dead parade was virtual in 2020 due to the pandemic, but supposedly the event is taking place in person this year. It’s a grand and glorious procession that not only showcases the Día de los Muertos traditions but also Mexico City’s creative talents, as many participants create eye-catching costumes.
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While Day of the Dead is a tradition that goes back to pre-Hispanic times, Mexico City’s Day of the Dead parade is, in fact, a rather new development. It debuted in 2016, a new creation inspired by a similar event that took place in the James Bond movie “Spectre,” which was set partially in Mexico City. The parade moves down Paseo de la Reforma, the city’s big boulevard, and ends in the historic city center. I’ve participated in previous years and found it a thrilling event with lots of wonderful photo opportunities. You can even pay someone on the street to paint your own face like a calavera, a decorative human skull.
There are lots more things to do in Mexico City for Day of the Dead. You can sample delicious pan de muerto, a delicious, sweetened soft bread that’s served in the weeks leading up to Día de los Muertos (Kellogg’s even sells a pan de muerto cereal, in case you’re in the supermarket and want to infuse your next breakfast with some seasonal flavor). A number of museums in Mexico City feature Day of the Dead exhibits, including the wonderful Museo de Arte Popular (Popular Art Museum), while several of the larger, nicer hotels in Mexico City also feature special programming. At the luxurious St. Regis Mexico City, for example, some staff dress up for the occasion, and can also arrange for guests to have their face painted.
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The Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City has become legendary.
Other places to go in Mexico City for Day of the Dead include Coyoacán, the lovely neighborhood that’s famed as the one-time home of artist Frida Kahlo, where elaborate altars decorate the city center during the Day of the Dead celebration. Parque Bicentenario, a massive park set on the grounds of a former oil refinery, is also hosting an interesting exhibit this season, with a series of gigantic calaveras, each painted by a different artist.
Elsewhere in Mexico, you’ll find lots of other opportunities to experience Día de los Muertos. The state of Oaxaca is one of the most rewarding places, with its centuries-old traditions and decorations. During non-pandemic times, visitors can witness cemetery vigils, admire Day of the Dead altars and sand tapestries and even join festive after-dark processions called comparsas. Since the world has not quite returned to normal, it’s a good idea to check with tour operators, hoteliers and the local tourism office to see what’s happening this year, since many details often aren’t confirmed until just before the dates.
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While the interior cities are generally the best places to celebrate Day of the Dead in Mexico, even the sun-soaked beach destinations offer opportunities to experience the tradition. One of the best Mexico beaches for enjoying Dia de los Muertos is Mazatlán, on the Pacific coast, which usually hosts a Day of the Dead celebration (read more about Día de los Muertos in Mazatlan here), with a public procession, decorations and interesting activities. Altars honoring deceased loved ones and other decorations grace many homes and public buildings.
Near Cancun, in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, the popular eco-culture park called Xcaret is hosting a Festival of Life and Death event that includes colorful altars, handicraft expositions, dance, musical and theatrical performances.
Even giant all-inclusive resorts often include some sort of nod to Day of the Dead, with staff members donning costumes and face paint and special activities, entertainment and cuisine on the agenda.
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Mexico City’s Parque Bicentenario is hosting a free Day of the Dead exhibit this year.
Some Mexico beach hotels offer Day of the Dead theme vacation packages, too. Here are a few options:
• The recently renovated Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa is offering a Dia de los Muertos experience on November 2, with a traditional Day of the Dead event that includes a four-course dinner for two that’s infused with local folklore, flavors and Mexican traditions. The Dia de Los Muertos package also includes deluxe accommodations for a minimum ofthree nights and daily breakfast for two. Rates start at $117. To book, visit www.puertovallartamarriott.com and use code P51.
• Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla has announced a new partnership with Black In Travel, an organization that provides minority travelers with resources, recommendations, exclusive events, and memorable experiences. The partnership will see Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla host an exclusive event for Black In Travel members to experience Day of the Dead, on November 5-7.
Long story short, Day of the Dead probably won’t be completely back to normal, no matter where you are. But with the right planning, there are still lots of ways to celebrate Día de los Muertos in Mexico.
I’m a travel writer, travel blogger and Mexico travel specialist, and I love sharing travel tips to make your next vacation or business trip better. Please feel free to share your comments, experiences and questions about Mexico travel and Latin America travel and vacations!
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