- Overview
- Captured moments
- Day by day
- What’s included
- Travel notes
- Not included
- Your questions answered
Each year, Mexico comes alive as Día de los Muertos brings colour, music and centuries-old traditions to streets, homes and communities across the country. More than a festival, it is a deeply meaningful celebration of memory and family, shaped by Indigenous beliefs and Catholic traditions. From marigold-filled streets and candlelit altars to music, food and gatherings that bring families together, Día de los Muertos offers a remarkable insight into how Mexico remembers and celebrates those who came before.
Our journey begins in Mexico City, where historic neighborhoods, ancient pyramids, vibrant food culture and contemporary city life provide an introduction to the many sides of Mexico. From there, we travel to Oaxaca as the country prepares for Día de los Muertos, experiencing the traditions, celebrations and community that make this one of Mexico's most remarkable times of year.
In Oaxaca, candlelit cemeteries, marigold-filled streets, family traditions and local celebrations offer a deeper understanding of what Día de los Muertos means to the communities who keep these traditions alive. Beyond the celebrations, ancient archaeological sites, mezcal, chocolate and the landscapes surrounding Oaxaca add further layers to the journey.
Our final days unfold in Mérida, where elegant colonial streets, Yucatán cuisine, flamingos, cenotes and the quieter landscapes of the peninsula provide a natural contrast to the energy of Día de los Muertos. Together, these experiences create a journey through Mexico's traditions, history, landscapes and extraordinary sense of celebration.
Limited to just 12 travellers, allowing for a relaxed, personal experience.
Designed around Día de los Muertos, this itinerary explores Mexico through its history, traditions and vibrant culture. From the energy of Mexico City and the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan to the celebrations of Oaxaca and the colonial charm of Mérida, each destination reveals a different side of the country.
Time immersed in Día de los Muertos traditions is balanced with opportunities to discover ancient civilisations, regional cuisine and the cultural heritage that continues to shape modern Mexico.
Every departure is planned around Día de los Muertos, allowing us to experience both the preparations and the celebrations as they unfold. As with all living traditions, timings and the order of activities may occasionally change to reflect local customs and ensure every experience takes place at the best possible time.
Itinerary
Day 01 | Mexico City
Date : 28/10/2027
First Impressions | Flavours, Canals and Celebration
Experiences
Historic Center food experience • Xochimilco Día de los Muertos dinner cruise
Mexico City is best understood one bite at a time as we wander through its historic center, where grand colonial architecture, lively plazas and everyday street life provide a colourful introduction to the capital. With a local food guide, we'll move through bustling markets, traditional bakeries and neighbourhood favourites, tasting everything from chilaquiles, mole and tacos to freshly made tortillas, Mexican pastries and artisanal chocolate. Along the way, we'll hear the stories behind the ingredients, dishes and traditions that make food such an important part of everyday life in Mexico City.
As daylight fades, we'll make our way to the ancient canals of Xochimilco, where brightly decorated trajineras drift through waterways that once formed part of the vast Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán. Illuminated by candles, marigolds and traditional decorations, we'll enjoy a seasonal Día de los Muertos dinner aboard a traditional boat before continuing to an authentic chinampa for music, local drinks and celebration. With mezcal and craft beer tastings, traditional flavours and the lively atmosphere of Día de los Muertos around us, it's a memorable first evening together and an introduction to the traditions that will shape the days ahead.
Travel
Airport transfer
Meals
Food tastings • Xochimilco Día de los Muertos dinner cruise
Accommodation
Night 1 of 3 at a five star hotel in the heart of Mexico City's Historic Center, where grand historic buildings, lively plazas and the Zócalo are all within easy reach.
Day 02 | Mexico City
Date : 29/09/2027
Creativity and Culture | Heights, Street Art and Lucha Libre
Experiences
Cablebús experience • Guided Roma and Condesa exploration • Salsa-making workshop • Lucha Libre
This morning we'll see Mexico City from a different perspective as we ride the Cablebús high above the city's colourful neighbourhoods. From the elevated route, we'll travel through communities rarely seen by visitors before continuing at street level into Roma and Condesa. With a local guide, we'll explore leafy streets, colourful murals, Art Deco architecture and independent cafés that showcase the creative character of contemporary Mexico City.
We'll then head to Tacuba for lunch, beginning with a visit to the local market to select fresh ingredients alongside our hosts before stepping into the kitchen to make traditional salsa. With local chefs guiding us, we'll learn how different chillies, ingredients and techniques create distinctive flavours before sitting down together to enjoy our salsas with freshly made quesadillas and agua de Jamaica. We'll leave with a jar of our favourite salsa and the recipes to recreate the experience at home.
This evening, we'll immerse ourselves in one of Mexico City's most colourful traditions. We'll begin by meeting professional luchadores and learning about the history, symbolism and larger-than-life characters that have made Lucha Libre such an important part of Mexican culture. Over mezcal, beer and traditional snacks, there'll be time to hear stories from the ring, take photographs and receive our own souvenir masks.
Then we'll head to Arena México for the main event. As the luchadores take to the ring, acrobatics, elaborate characters and the energy of the crowd create a memorable evening at the heart of Mexico City's Lucha Libre tradition.
Meals
Breakfast • Salsa-making workshop lunch • Dinner
Accommodation
Night 2 of 3 at a five star hotel in the heart of Mexico City's Historic Center, where grand historic buildings, lively plazas and the Zócalo are all within easy reach.
Day 03 | Mexico City
Date : 30/10/2027
City of the Gods | Sunrise Above an Ancient Empire
Experiences
Sunrise balloon flight • Teotihuacán • Día de los Muertos preparations in Mexico City
Before sunrise, we'll take to the skies as dozens of colourful balloons drift above the ancient city of Teotihuacán. As the first light touches the Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon, the scale of the ancient city stretches out beneath us, creating a spectacular perspective on one of Mexico's most extraordinary archaeological sites.
Back on the ground, breakfast is served inside a remarkable natural grotto before we explore Teotihuacán itself. Nobody knows for certain who built this vast city, which had already been abandoned by the time the Aztecs arrived around 1,000 years later. They named it Teotihuacán, meaning "The Place Where the Gods Were Born". Walking its ceremonial avenues with our guide, we'll discover the scale, ingenuity and enduring mystery of a city that was already ancient when the Aztecs first encountered it.
Returning to Mexico City, we'll have time to enjoy the atmosphere of Día de los Muertos before coming together for dinner. Beautifully decorated streets, colourful displays and preparations taking place across the city offer a first glimpse of the celebrations that await us in Oaxaca.
Meals
Grotto breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Accommodation
Night 3 of 3 at a five star hotel in the heart of Mexico City's Historic Center, where grand historic buildings, lively plazas and the Zócalo are all within easy reach.
Day 04 | Oaxaca
Date : 31/10/2027
Festival Preparations | Marigolds and Markets
Experiences
Oaxaca historic center • Santo Domingo • Marigold fields by night
A leisurely breakfast gives us time to recover from yesterday's early start before we fly south to Oaxaca, where the atmosphere changes almost immediately. Colourful streets, bustling markets and the scent of chocolate, spices and freshly made tortillas introduce a city where food, craft and tradition are woven into everyday life. With Día de los Muertos just a day away, marigolds fill courtyards, plazas and streets as Oaxaca prepares for one of its most important celebrations.
With our local guide, we'll explore Oaxaca's historic center, moving through lively markets and neighbourhood streets before arriving at the magnificent Santo Domingo complex. Its golden stone façade, peaceful courtyards and richly decorated interiors offer a beautiful introduction to the city's colonial heritage, while the surrounding streets are already beginning to take on the colour and character of Día de los Muertos.
As evening approaches, we'll leave the city behind for the marigold fields, where a festive dinner awaits beneath the cempasúchil. Surrounded by glowing orange blooms, regional dishes and local music, we'll experience Oaxaca's preparations for Día de los Muertos in one of the journey's most atmospheric settings.
Travel
1½ hour domestic flight to Oaxaca
Meals
Breakfast • Lunch • Festival dinner in the marigold fields
Accommodation
Night 1 of 4 at a four star hotel in the heart of Oaxaca, where historic streets, colourful markets and the city's celebrated food scene are within easy reach.
Day 05 | Oaxaca
Date : 01/11/2027
Becoming Catrina | Colour, Celebration and Transformation
Experiences
Pan de Muerto baking experience • Oaxaca exploration • Catrina transformation • Professional photoshoot • Día de los Muertos celebrations
We'll step into a local bakery to learn how pan de muerto is made, preparing and enjoying this much-loved seasonal speciality before exploring Oaxaca with our Tour Director. With no fixed route, we'll wander through colourful streets, browse a local market, admire altars taking shape and watch the city prepare for the celebrations ahead.
Local artists will recreate the elegant makeup associated with one of Día de los Muertos' most recognisable traditions before a professional photographer captures the moment against the backdrop of Oaxaca's historic streets. La Catrina has become one of the defining symbols of the celebration, reflecting a tradition in which colour, creativity and joy sit alongside remembrance of those who have passed.
Oaxaca comes alive as music fills the plazas, giant puppets weave through the crowds and families gather to celebrate together. We'll head into the celebrations ourselves, taking in the colour, music and atmosphere as Día de los Muertos reaches its most vibrant moments.
Meals
Breakfast • Dinner
Accommodation
Night 2 of 4 at a four star hotel in the heart of Oaxaca, where historic streets, colourful markets and the city's celebrated food scene are within easy reach.
Day 06 | Oaxaca
Date : 02/11/2027
Honouring the Ancestors | Altars, Candlelight and Remembrance
Experiences
Día de los Muertos cultural experience • Altar building • Cemetery visit • Evening celebrations
With local hosts, we'll spend time learning how families honour loved ones during Día de los Muertos through remembrance, storytelling, food and traditions passed from one generation to the next. Together, we'll create a traditional ofrenda, learning the meaning behind the photographs, candles, marigolds and favourite foods placed to welcome departed family members home. Each element carries its own significance, giving us a more personal understanding of one of Mexico's most treasured traditions.
We'll visit a local cemetery where families gather to decorate graves, share food, play music and spend time together in remembrance. Surrounded by candlelight, flowers and family traditions, it's a deeply moving opportunity to experience Día de los Muertos not simply as a festival, but as a living expression of love, memory and connection.
Meals
Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Accommodation
Night 3 of 4 at a four star hotel in the heart of Oaxaca, where historic streets, colourful markets and the city's celebrated food scene are within easy reach.
Day 07 | Oaxaca
Date : 03/11/2027
Earth and Spirit | Waterfalls, Mezcal and Ancient Landscapes
Experiences
Hierve el Agua • The Mezcal Journey • Guided tasting of award-winning mezcals
Beyond Oaxaca's historic streets, the landscape changes dramatically as we travel into the mountains to Hierve el Agua this morning. Mineral-rich springs have shaped these spectacular petrified waterfalls over thousands of years, with white rock formations appearing to cascade down the mountainside above the valley. We'll explore the trails, take in the sweeping views and enjoy the extraordinary setting before continuing through the Oaxacan countryside.
Oaxaca's landscapes are also home to the agave that gives mezcal its distinctive character. Our journey into the world of mezcal begins among plantations overlooking the ancient Zapotec city of Monte Albán, where we'll learn how generations of producers have combined traditional methods with more sustainable approaches to create some of Mexico's finest spirits.
Inside the distillery, we'll follow the process from agave to glass, seeing how each stage contributes to the character of the finished mezcal. A guided tasting of five award-winning mezcals brings the experience together, with each pour offering its own expression of Oaxaca's landscape, craftsmanship and generations of knowledge surrounding agave.
Travel
Return 1½ hour private transfer to Hierve el Agua
Meals
Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Accommodation
Night 4 of 4 at a four star hotel in the heart of Oaxaca, where historic streets, colourful markets and the city's celebrated food scene are within easy reach.
Day 08 | Mérida
Date : 04/11/2027
Flavours of Yucatán | Chocolate, History and New Horizons
Experiences
Cocoa to Chocolate workshop • Historic center exploration
Before leaving Oaxaca, we'll explore another ingredient deeply woven into the region's history. Guided by local chocolatiers, we'll follow cacao from bean to chocolate, learning how this ancient ingredient became part of Mexican culture before making our own handmade chocolates to take home.
A short flight brings us to Mérida, where elegant colonial mansions, leafy boulevards and shaded plazas create a striking contrast to the landscapes and traditions of Oaxaca. Yucatán's capital has its own distinctive character, shaped by Maya heritage, Spanish influence and a cuisine unlike anything we've encountered so far. We'll enjoy lunch before exploring the city with our local guide.
Our afternoon walk takes us through Mérida's historic center, from grand plazas and beautifully preserved colonial streets to the lively corners where locals gather as the day begins to cool. We'll come together for dinner as Mérida's streets and plazas take on a different energy after dark.
Travel
1½ hour domestic flight to Mérida
Meals
Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Accommodation
Night 1 of 3 at a four star hotel in Mérida, where historic architecture, leafy streets and the city's lively center provide a comfortable base for exploring the Yucatán capital.
Day 09 | Mérida
Date : 05/11/2027
Coast and Wildlife | Flamingos, Mangroves and the Gulf
Experiences
Celestún • Flamingo boat safari • Mangrove reserve • Afternoon by the Gulf of Mexico
We'll leave Mérida behind for Celestún, a peaceful fishing town where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve. Colourful fishing boats, quiet beaches and mangrove-lined waterways create a gentler rhythm, offering a very different side of the Yucatán.
Aboard small boats and head into the reserve, we'll wind through the mangroves in search of the Yucatán's famous flamingos. During the season, thousands of these elegant birds gather in the shallow waters, their vivid pink plumage standing out against the green mangroves and blue sky. Pelicans, herons and other wildlife also make their home among these protected wetlands, adding to the sense of being far removed from the city.
Lunch by the water gives us a chance to enjoy the day's catch before slowing the pace for the afternoon. We can walk along the beach, swim in the warm Gulf waters or simply settle into the easy rhythm of this working coastal community.
We'll return to Mérida later in the afternoon, with time to relax at the hotel before coming together for dinner.
Travel
Return 1½ hour private transfer to Celestún
Meals
Breakfast • Lunch beside the Gulf of Mexico • Dinner
Accommodation
Night 2 of 3 at a four star hotel in Mérida, where historic architecture, leafy streets and the city's lively center provide a comfortable base for exploring the Yucatán capital.
Day 10 | Mérida
Date : 06/11/2027
Beneath the Surface | Cenotes and Celebration
Experiences
Hacienda Mucuyché • Cenote Kankirixché
Hidden beneath the limestone landscape of the Yucatán are thousands of cenotes, natural freshwater pools formed over millions of years and deeply connected to Maya history and tradition. Today we'll experience two very different sides of this underground world, beginning at Hacienda Mucuyché, where a dramatic cenote and open-air pools sit within the grounds of a historic hacienda.
We'll have time to swim and enjoy the peaceful setting before continuing to a leisurely lunch, with the flavours of the Yucatán providing a fitting taste of the region. A short journey brings us to Cenote Kankirixché, where crystal-clear water, towering limestone walls and shafts of natural light create a striking final encounter with the Yucatán's hidden landscapes. There's time to explore the cenote and take in the surrounding beauty before returning to Mérida for our final evening together.
Our final evening brings us together over the flavours of the Yucatán, with music, colour and the lively atmosphere of Mérida providing the backdrop. After eleven days of ancient cities, Día de los Muertos traditions, Oaxaca's landscapes and the distinctive character of the Yucatán, it's a fitting way to celebrate everything we've experienced together before our journey home.
Travel
Return 1½ hour private transfer to the cenotes
Meals
Breakfast • Yucatán lunch • Farewell dinner
Accommodation
Night 3 of 3 at a four star hotel in Mérida, where historic architecture, leafy streets and the city's lively center provide a comfortable base for exploring the Yucatán capital.
Day 11 | Mérida
Date : 07/11/2027
Adiós y Gracias | Farewell Mexico
Our journey comes to a close this morning as we enjoy one final breakfast together in Mérida.
Over the past eleven days, we've travelled through Mexico's remarkable contrasts, from the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacán and the vibrant celebrations of Día de los Muertos to Oaxaca's rich traditions and the limestone landscapes, wildlife and Maya heritage of the Yucatán. Each region has offered something different, bringing together Mexico's deep traditions, extraordinary landscapes, distinctive cuisine and remarkable zest for life.
We return to Mexico City for our onward international departures. As we part ways, we hope the memories we've shared continue to inspire new adventures for years to come.
Travel
2 hour domestic flight to Mexico City
Meals
Breakfast
Mexico City experiences
- Explore Mexico City's Historic Center through its vibrant food scene
- Cruise the ancient canals of Xochimilco aboard a traditional trajinera during Día de los Muertos
- Ride the Cablebús above Mexico City's colourful neighbourhoods
- Explore Roma and Condesa with a local guide
- Cook traditional Mexican salsas with local chefs
- Experience Lucha Libre at Arena México
- Float above Teotihuacán at sunrise and enjoy breakfast in a natural grotto
- Explore the ancient city of Teotihuacán
Oaxaca experiences
- Explore Oaxaca's historic center, markets and Santo Domingo Cultural Complex
- Dine beneath the marigolds during a festive Día de los Muertos dinner
- Bake traditional Pan de Muerto
- Transform into La Catrina with a professional photoshoot
- Experience Oaxaca's Día de los Muertos celebrations
- Build an ofrenda and visit a local cemetery with local hosts
- Explore the petrified waterfalls of Hierve el Agua
- Follow mezcal from agave to glass with a local producer and guided tasting
- Discover the journey from cocoa to chocolate in a hands-on workshop
Mérida and Yucatán experiences
- Explore Mérida's historic center with a local guide
- Search for flamingos on a boat safari through Celestún's mangrove reserve
- Enjoy an afternoon beside the Gulf of Mexico
- Swim at Hacienda Mucuyché and Cenote Kankirixché
Food and dining
- 10 included breakfasts
- 6 included lunches
- 10 included dinners
- While many are shared experiences, selected evenings offer the flexibility to enjoy dinner independently if you prefer to discover somewhere of your own
- Shared experiences include:
- Group welcome dinner
- Festival dinner in the marigold fields
- Farewell dinner in Mérida
- A selection of local restaurants showcasing regional cuisine and seasonal specialities
- Evenings centered around shared dinners in traditional settings connected to the celebrations
Accommodation
- 3 nights in Mexico City
- 4 nights in Oaxaca
- 3 nights in Mérida
- Accommodation is minimum 4-star standard, with exceptional unrated properties chosen when they offer a more memorable experience
- All rooms are private and include en-suite bathrooms
Transport and logistics
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days
- All domestic flights within Mexico included:
- Mexico City to Oaxaca
- Oaxaca to Mérida
- Mérida to Mexico City
- Private transport between experiences and excursions included
- All entrance fees and logistical arrangements handled throughout
Guidance and support
- Fully guided throughout by a dedicated tour leader and knowledgeable local hosts
- Cultural context and thoughtful guidance that deepen each experience
- Seamless coordination throughout, allowing you to stay present in the journey
The Three Tenths promise
- Maximum 12 guests • Every journey is limited to twelve guests, or fewer
- Inclusive pricing • All gratuities for guides, transport and activities are included throughout
- No "optional" up-selling • Every experience is included because we believe it belongs in the journey
- Thoughtfully paced • Structure when it matters. Freedom when it doesn't
- Hand selected stays • Every stay is personally visited before it's included because where you stay shapes how you experience a destination
Arrival and departure days
- Airport transfers are included for all guests arriving on Day 1 and departing on the final day of the journey
- Arrival day is intentionally designed with flexibility in mind, allowing time to settle into the hotel, explore the surrounding neighbourhood, or simply pause before the journey begins
- Our first shared experience takes place around midday on Day 1, allowing guests arriving earlier in the day time to comfortably transfer from the airport and settle in before meeting the group
- Hotel check in is typically available from 3pm onwards. Guests arriving earlier may store luggage with the hotel prior to check in
- Your tour host will be waiting to welcome you at the hotel on arrival day, offering assistance with check in and luggage storage where needed, along with recommendations for exploring the surrounding neighbourhood before the journey begins
- On departure day, no activities are planned beyond breakfast, allowing flexibility for onward travel arrangements
- We recommend booking onward departure flights from Mexico City from 4pm onwards on the final day, allowing comfortable connection times following your included domestic flight from Mérida
Festival timing
- Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is celebrated across Mexico from 31 October to 2 November, honouring loved ones who have passed while welcoming their spirits back through ritual, memory, food, music and gathering
- Our journey begins in Mexico City, where we'll experience the vibrant public celebrations and cultural traditions that mark the start of the festival season before travelling to Oaxaca, where preparations unfold across homes, markets, bakeries, workshops and cemeteries
- As the celebrations continue, streets fill with marigolds, candles, papel picado, incense, altars and traditional foods as communities prepare for gatherings and ceremonies connected to the festival. Later, in Mérida, we'll discover how the Yucatán brings its own distinctive character to Día de los Muertos through local traditions shaped by Mayan heritage
- Our journey is intentionally timed to experience both the preparation period and the heart of the celebrations, offering insight into the cultural richness and regional diversity that make Día de los Muertos one of Mexico's most meaningful traditions
What to expect
- Día de los Muertos is both a public celebration and a deeply personal tradition rooted in memory, family, ancestry, and cultural identity
- Markets, homes, public squares, cemeteries, and neighbourhood streets become central gathering spaces throughout the festival period
- Many traditions connected to Día de los Muertos are community and family based, and experiences throughout the journey are approached respectfully and with cultural awareness
- Festival days may include music, processions, artisan markets, altar displays, candlelit gatherings and community celebrations that continue late into the evening
- The atmosphere shifts naturally throughout the journey, moving between moments of joy, reflection, creativity, ritual, and remembrance
Why this region
- Día de los Muertos is celebrated throughout Mexico, with each region expressing the tradition through its own customs, ceremonies and cultural influences
- Our journey begins in Mexico City, where we'll experience the scale and energy of the country's capital before travelling to Oaxaca, widely regarded as one of the most important and atmospheric places in Mexico to experience Día de los Muertos
- Oaxaca's strong Indigenous traditions, artistic heritage, vibrant markets and deeply rooted community customs create a uniquely rich festival atmosphere, while its surrounding villages each bring their own interpretations through distinctive ceremonies, visual traditions and community celebrations
- The journey concludes in Mérida, where the Yucatán's Mayan heritage offers a different perspective on remembrance and tradition, revealing how the festival continues to evolve across Mexico's diverse regions
- Travelling through these three destinations offers a richer understanding of one of Mexico's most culturally significant and deeply meaningful traditions
Seasonal weather
- Late October and early November bring comfortable autumn conditions across much of Mexico, making it an ideal time to experience Día de los Muertos and explore the country's diverse landscapes
- In Mexico City, expect mild daytime temperatures and cool mornings and evenings. Oaxaca is typically warm and dry, while Mérida enjoys hotter tropical conditions, particularly during the middle of the day
- Daytime temperatures generally range from 22°C to 32°C (72°F to 90°F), with cooler evenings in Mexico City and Oaxaca, and warmer conditions in the Yucatán
- Festival activities often continue outdoors into the evening, including walking tours, public celebrations, cemetery visits and community gatherings. Light, comfortable clothing is recommended, along with a light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings
- Rainfall is generally low at this time of year, although brief tropical showers remain possible, particularly in the Yucatán. The combination of warm days, cooler evenings and colourful outdoor celebrations creates ideal conditions for experiencing one of Mexico's most vibrant cultural traditions
Visa requirements
- Visa and entry requirements vary depending on your nationality, passport, and country of residence
- Guests are responsible for ensuring they meet all passport, visa, transit, vaccination, and entry requirements for Mexico
- We recommend checking official government travel advice and visa information well in advance of departure, as requirements can occasionally change without notice
- Mexico may require visa applications, online pre registration, proof of onward travel, accommodation details, or minimum passport validity periods
- Your passport should generally have at least 6 months validity remaining from your date of arrival, have sufficient pages for entry and exit stamps, and generally be in good condition (unless otherwise stated by local authorities)
- Once your booking is confirmed, additional guidance and supporting travel information will be provided where relevant
- Visa information for Mexico can be found here and electronic applications for visas (if required) can be found here
Practical considerations
- This journey includes moderate walking through historic streets, markets, cemeteries, artisan workshops, and village environments
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, particularly for evenings spent in crowded public areas or cemetery visits
- Some experiences may take place in active community spaces where local celebrations continue around us naturally rather than in controlled tourism settings
- Some guests choose to bring a small photograph, note or symbolic offering to place respectfully on a community or shared altar during the journey. This is entirely optional
- Some roads and neighbourhoods become busier during the festival as local gatherings, music and processions fill the streets
- The itinerary has been designed to balance cultural immersion, respectful participation, rest, and quieter moments throughout the experience
Cultural notes
Throughout the journey, you may encounter words and traditions that are rooted in Mexican culture. These notes offer a little context to deepen your experience.
- Alebrijes
- Brightly coloured, hand-carved wooden figures that represent fantastical creatures, crafted using traditional techniques in Oaxaca
- Catrina
- An elegant skeletal figure that has become an iconic symbol of Día de los Muertos, representing the Mexican tradition of honouring death with both respect and celebration
- Mezcal
- A traditional spirit made from agave, central to both daily life and ceremonial gatherings in Oaxaca
- Mole
- A complex, slow-prepared sauce made from a blend of ingredients such as chilli, spices, chocolate, and nuts, with each region and family offering its own variation
- Ofrenda
- A personal altar created during Día de los Muertos to honour loved ones who have passed, often decorated with photographs, candles, marigolds, and meaningful offerings
- Pan de Muerto
- A traditional sweet bread prepared for Día de los Muertos, often placed on ofrendas and shared during the celebrations
- Papel Picado
- Delicately cut decorative paper banners displayed throughout Mexico during celebrations. During Día de los Muertos they symbolise the presence of the spirits and add colour and movement to streets, homes and ofrendas
Flights and arrival
- International airfare to and from Mexico: Single city international airfare required
- Arrive: Mexico City (MEX)
- Depart: Mexico City (MEX)
Travel requirements
- Travel insurance (required for participation)
- Relevant visas where applicable (see Travel notes section)
Personal expenses and free time options
- Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
- Personal purchases and incidental expenses
- Optional activities during periods of free time
Día de los Muertos is not a mourning festival, but a deeply meaningful cultural tradition centered around remembrance, family, community, and celebration.
Throughout Oaxaca, homes, cemeteries, markets, and public spaces become filled with candles, marigolds, music, food, and gatherings that honour loved ones who have passed.
The atmosphere moves naturally between quiet remembrance and joyful celebration, creating one of Mexico's most meaningful cultural experiences.
Yes. Cemetery visits form part of Día de los Muertos traditions in Oaxaca and are approached respectfully throughout the journey.
These visits are approached respectfully as meaningful cultural experiences rooted in remembrance, family and local tradition, rather than performances or spectacles.
Guidance is provided throughout to ensure guests feel comfortable and understand the customs and etiquette surrounding these spaces.
Yes. Time is included to swim and relax in the cenotes, and we encourage guests to bring swimwear and a towel for the experience. Life jackets are available where required, and participation is entirely optional if you'd simply prefer to enjoy the surroundings.
This journey is designed to move at a balanced and comfortable pace rather than feel physically demanding.
Expect moderate walking through historic centres, archaeological sites, villages and nature reserves, along with time spent exploring cenotes and boarding small boats in Celestún. Festival celebrations may also include evenings where streets are busier and remain lively after dark.
There is plenty of opportunity throughout the journey to rest, slow down and enjoy each destination without feeling rushed.