Andrea Zelinski
Grounded in central and southern Mexican tradition, it is said that the gates between the living world and that of the deceased open at midnight on Oct. 31, making way for the two sides to celebrate Dia de Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, Nov. 1 and 2.
The holiday is awash in Mexican marigolds, altars, colors, candles and honoring death by celebrating life. This two-day celebration is one of Mexico's most meaningful holidays, remembering the deceased through food, drink and merriment rather than sorrow.
The festivities include beautifully decorated altars, known as "ofrendas," adorned with orange Mexican marigolds and pictures of deceased loved ones to guide their spirits to the celebration. Nov. 1 is dedicated to the spirits of children who have passed, followed by Nov. 2, which is focused on adults who are no longer with us. On both days, it is believed the spiritual veil between the living and the dead has dissolved as both sides eat, dance and celebrate together.
Whether your clients want authenticity and culture or relaxation, we looked at hotels and resorts offering Dia de Muertos attractions this year. The collection isn't just in urban areas like Mexico City, which is known for its vibrant celebrations, but also along the coasts, where travelers can lose themselves in the festivities and stare out at the waves.
"Whether [guests] choose to contribute to an altar, enjoy the traditional foods and festivities or simply take the time to learn about the symbolism behind the celebration, our hope is that they come away with a deeper connection to this very special part of Mexican culture," said Michael Albahari, director of operations for Solmar Hotels and Resorts.
Here's a sampling of what to expect at select properties throughout Mexico, from west to east:
All four Solmar Hotels and Resorts in Los Cabos will have traditional ofrendas in the lobbies with all the fixings, including candles, flowers, marigold-lined pathways, hung papel picado (tissue paper with intricate designs) and calavera (skull) figures. Guests can expect male and female performers, known as Catrins and Catrinas to join the celebration, along with themed dining and hands-on activities.
Grand Solmar Land's End in Cabo San Lucas is going a step further and will host a "Kermes of the States of Mexico," a traditional community fair celebrating the various flavors and traditions of Mexico's states. The resort's onsite restaurants will also serve skull cookies that visitors can personalize with icing by writing their own name or dedicating them to a loved one.
A woman in an elegant dress and skull face paint, called a Catrina, stands under an archway made of Mexican marigolds called cempasuchils. Photo Credit: Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlan Golf and Spa
Along the coast, Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlan Golf and Spa invites families to immerse themselves in the celebration through a Catrina parade featuring elegantly dressed women with painted skull makeup. Guests can have their own faces painted and decorate a traditional altar.
The hotel, tucked into the Estrella del Mar gated community, will be decked out for the celebration and feature mariachi music. The resort will serve a traditional feast of authentic Mexican delicacies, including pan de muerto, a sweet bread traditionally made for Day of the Dead.
Further down the coast near the surfing beaches of Banderas Bay sits Secrets Bahia Mita Surf and Spa Resort. The main plaza will showcase Catrinas and an ornate traditional altar. The all-inclusive resort will serve pan de muerto along with a variety of Mexican dishes, and offer tequila tastings and crafted themed cocktails to the tunes of a live mariachi band. Stay up late at the adults-only resort for an after-party with music and dancing.
As Dia de Muertos celebrations stretch through the city, the Numu Boutique Hotel will serve as a home base within easy reach of the celebrations, including the Festival de la Calaca from Oct. 20 to Nov. 2, with giant skeletons, ofrenda exhibitions and events throughout Parque Juarez and the historic center.
While offering Catrina face painting, the hotel's main attraction is a special Dia de Muertos sensory dinner experience with blind tastings that let guests take in flavors in unexpected ways.
Dia de Muertos culture meets the excitement of the Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix this year. When Formula 1 takes over the city with days of practice, qualifying and race-day action at the city's motorsport racetrack, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, the resort will offer shuttle service to and from the circuit. Meanwhile, from Oct. 26 to Nov. 4, the hotel will house a sculptural installation of "The House in Bloom," an exhibit featuring cempasuchils, also known as Mexican marigolds, in collaboration with Leonela, a floral design company.
Scents of marigolds from essence and candle brand Surco will waft through the lobby as candles burn. Guests can enjoy Catrina face paintings and seasonal treats at the hotel's cafe, like pan de muerto and cempasuchil-inspired desserts. Uxmal, a taco pop-up serving neighborhood-inspired street food, will serve carved-to-order tacos, handmade tortillas, stone bowl-ground salsas and aguas frescas. The hotel will keep the weekend going at night on the rooftop with sunset DJ sets and Dia de Muertos-inspired cocktails, using ingredients like mandarin, orange blossom and mezcal.
The adults-only retreat Almare Isla Mujeres will offer Hanal Pixan, the ancient Mayan tradition known as "Food for the Souls" rooted specifically in the Yucatan Peninsula. The all-inclusive resort plans to honor the connection between the living and their ancestors through immersive Hanal Pixan experiences. Explore Mayan mythology with a guided cemetery tour to experience regional customs, known as the Path to Xibalba, the Mayan word for the underworld.
Along with a traditional altar, the resort will offer sunset rituals honoring loved ones who have passed. Guests can also connect to the season's traditions through hands-on culinary workshops featuring Yucatecan tamales inspired by muchbipollo, which pre-Hispanic Mayans baked in an earthen pit lined with heated rocks. The resort will also serve pan de muerto and traditional sugar and chocolate skulls, known as calaveras, and provide Mexican music and a Xibalba-inspired fire show.