October 2026 | Día de los Muertos | Mexico

Each year, Mexico comes alive during Día de los Muertos, a celebration of colour, memory, and devotion. More than a festival, it is a deeply meaningful tradition where Indigenous beliefs and Catholic customs come together to honour those who came before us. This journey follows that story across three remarkable regions, from the vibrant streets of Mexico City to the heart of Oaxaca's celebrations and the colonial elegance of Mérida.

Experience highlights

• Wander the canals of Xochimilco
• Float above Teotihuacán at sunrise by hot air balloon
• Experience candlelit cemetery visits with local families
• Swim in a crystal clear cenote
• Discover Mérida and the Celestún Biosphere Reserve

Our journey blends respectful participation in these time honoured traditions with the everyday rhythms of Mexico. Discover world renowned art, ancient pyramids and colourful neighbourhoods in Mexico City before travelling to Oaxaca, where Día de los Muertos unfolds in unforgettable ways. We end in Mérida, where elegant colonial streets and the natural beauty of the Yucatán provide a fitting finale.

From candlelit cemeteries and marigold filled streets to ancient archaeological sites and vibrant local traditions, each experience offers a deeper appreciation for the people, stories and customs that continue to shape Mexico's identity.

Whether you are drawn by colour, culture, or the deeper meaning behind these traditions, you will leave with far more than photographs. You will leave with perspective, gratitude, and perhaps even your own ofrenda to carry the memory forward.

Limited to just 12 travellers to keep the experience intimate.

This journey explores Mexico during Día de los Muertos, beginning in the vibrant capital before following the celebrations to Oaxaca, where colour, memory, and tradition come together in one of the country's most meaningful festivals. From the first preparations in homes and markets to candlelit evenings in cemeteries, each day offers a deeper connection to the customs that honour those who came before.

As the experience unfolds, we move between family traditions and wider community celebrations while discovering ancient civilisations, remarkable art, regional cuisine, and the rich cultural heritage that shapes modern Mexico. Our journey concludes in Mérida, where the colonial heart of the Yucatán and its surrounding natural wonders provide a thoughtful finale.

Our itinerary follows the cultural rhythm of Día de los Muertos, ensuring we are present for both the preparation and the celebration. As with all living traditions, timings may gently adapt to honour local customs and preserve the integrity of each experience.

Mexico City

• Sunrise hot air balloon flight over Teotihuacán
• Guided exploration of Teotihuacán
• Xochimilco canal cruise aboard traditional trajineras
• Explore Mexico City's historic center

Día de los Muertos | Oaxaca

• Visit the Santo Domingo Cultural Complex and historic centre
• Explore Oaxaca's vibrant local markets
• Hierve el Agua petrified waterfalls
• Mezcal distillery visit and tasting with a local producer

Rituals, Craft & Cultural Immersion

• Pan de Muerto baking experience
• Día de los Muertos altar and cemetery cultural experience
• Catrina face painting and professional photoshoot
• Cacao and chocolate workshop

Mérida & Yucatán

• Guided exploration of Mérida's historic center
• Visit the Celestún Biosphere Reserve
• Swim in a natural cenote

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
• 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 3-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

Our accommodation

• Accommodation has been carefully selected to reflect the changing character of the journey, from the vibrant energy of Mexico City and the traditions of Oaxaca to the elegant colonial charm of Mérida
• In Mexico City, enjoy a comfortable stay in one of the capital's most vibrant neighbourhoods, well positioned for exploring the city's rich history, culture and cuisine
• In Oaxaca, accommodation has been chosen for its atmosphere, location and connection to the rhythm of Día de los Muertos, while still providing a peaceful place to rest between festival experiences
• In Mérida, stay in a beautifully restored historic mansion that reflects the city's colonial heritage, offering a characterful base for exploring the cultural heart of the Yucatán
• All rooms are private and include en suite bathrooms

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 in the late afternoon 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 3:00pm 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 outbound flights departing from midday onwards on the final day to allow comfortable transfer time to the airport

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
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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 & free time options

• Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
• Personal purchases and incidental expenses
• Optional activities during periods of free time