10-day Ultimate Day of the Dead Celebration in Mexico

Enjoy the ultimate Day of the Dead celebration on this ten-day adventure through magical small towns and bustling cities.

Along the way, you’ll experience the full spectrum of Mexico’s Dia de Muertos festivities from the vibrant and colorful street parades to the poignant and intimate displays in the family home.

Tour three of Mexico’s most beloved cities — Morelia, San Miguel de Allende, and Mexico City — with an expert guide providing unrivaled insight into these magical metropolises.

Also, discover off-the-beaten-path towns and villages, including Santa Fe, Tzintzuntzan, and Patzcuaro, meeting the local people who live there and witnessing their extra special Dia de Muertos events.

HIGHLIGHTS

Catrina Doll Festival – Visit the gorgeous village of Capula to experience their very special Catrina Doll Festival

La Calaca Festival – Immerse yourself in San Miguel de Allende’s La Calaca Festival, now an important fixture in Mexico’s Day of the Day calendar

Family Day of the Dead ritual – Attend a touching Day of the Dead celebration as the special guest in a family home in Santa Fe

Mexico City – Take an expertly guided tour of Mexico’s capital, visiting its major landmarks along the way

San Miguel de Allende and Morelia – Dive into the stunning cities of San Miguel and Morelia with a personal guide providing expert insight

Day 1 – October 30: Arrival in Mexico City

Bienvenidos a Mexico! After being greeted at the airport by a Journey Mexico guide, you will be privately transferred to your hotel where you can enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight: Four Seasons Mexico City

*Please note: This itinerary can be customized for flying directly into Morelia’s airport

Day 2 – October 31: Visit Pueblo Magico Cuitzeo en route to Morelia

You will be met by your personal guide and then head to Morelia. Stop en route at Cuitzeo, named a Pueblo Magico (Magical Town) by the Mexican government, which has a lake resembling a great, glass mirror. Learn all about the local Purepecha culture from your guide and visit the town’s historic buildings.

You will also explore Cuitzeo’s colorful flower market, which takes on an extra verve in the lead up to Day of the Dead.

After, hit the road to the colonial city of Morelia to explore its historic city center. Discover important sites before checking into your lovely hotel to enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight: Casa Grande

Day 3 – November 1: Tour Tzintzuntzan archeological site and visit Patzcuaro, Santa Fe

Today, head to Patzcuaro for a very special Day of the Dead celebration. En route, take the chance to stop at the Tzintzuntzan archeological site for a guided tour and a chance to see its ancient ruins.

Arriving at Patzcuaro, tour the city with your guide who will take you through the hustle and bustle of the town’s market to see how the locals prepare for their Dia de Muertos festivities. At night, head to the shores of Lake Patzcuaro to see the touching Day of the Dead rituals taking place at traditional Mexican cemeteries.

Finally, visit the town of Santa Fe, where you are the special guests in a family home and will witness a deeply meaningful tradition where families honor their loved ones who died during the year.

Overnight: Casa Grande

Day 4 – November 2: Guided half-day excursion to Capula and the Catrina Dolls Festival

A visit to Capula, a gorgeous village in Michoacan, brings an encounter with the icon of the Day of the Dead celebrations, the catrina. The village has become famous for producing these skeleton figures and now holds a colorful Catrina Dolls Festival, which you will visit.

Walk through the festival, enjoying the works by local artists plus the color and vibrancy of the many stalls and pieces on display. Visit the workshops and galleries of the local Capula artists and make sure to taste some Tarascan specialties such as sweet “pink” tamales.

Overnight: Casa Grande Hotel Boutique

Day 5 – November 3: Transfer to San Miguel de Allende, visit Fabrica La Aurora and La Calaca Festival

After a private transfer to San Miguel de Allende, enjoy a visit to Fabrica La Aurora, a beautiful art and design center housed in a former textile factory. Here you will find altars honoring the dead, galleries, and special exhibitions dedicated to Day of the Dead.

After, walk to San Miguel’s historic city center and into La Calaca Festival, a week-long celebration of Dia de Muertos. With your expert guide, explore the streets around the square to see the workshops and learn more about the holiday’s origin and its modern importance.

Overnight: Rosewood San Miguel de Allende

Day 6 – November 4: San Miguel de Allende city tour and La Calaca Festival

Take of tour of San Miguel de Allende, one of the best small cities in the world, with an expert guide by your side. Visit San Miguel’s most important buildings, view its beautiful colonial architecture, and walk its cobblestone streets.

After, explore La Calaca Festival further, embedding yourself in the local Day of the Dead celebrations and learning what this event truly means to the people of Mexico.

Overnight: Rosewood San Miguel de Allende

Day 7 – November 5: Private Transfer to Mexico City visiting Teotihuacan en route

As we make our way to Mexico City, stop at Teotihuacan for an expertly guided tour around this important and beautiful archeological zone. During your exploration, visit the majestic Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, which you will be able to climb to enjoy views over the site.

After, continue to your hotel in Mexico City and spend the night at leisure.

Overnight: Four Seasons Mexico City

Day 8 – November 6: Private tour to Anthropology Museum and Mexico City’s historic center

Explore Mexico’s world-renowned National Museum of Anthropology and its stunning collection of Aztec, Maya, and pre-Columbian treasures. See wonders like the Aztec calendar inscribed upon the 24-ton Sun Stone.

Afterward, enjoy a private, guided tour of the historic city center, in which you will visit the capital’s Zócalo (main square), National Palace, and Metropolitan Cathedral. Marvel at these incredible structures as your tour guide provides incredible insight into their importance and history.

You’ll be back to your hotel by late afternoon to enjoy the evening at leisure.

Overnight: Four Seasons Mexico City

Note: Some sites from today´s itinerary may be temporarily closed due to Covid-19 restrictions. In this case, your travel planner will make adjustments for the best experience on the day, based on your preferences, availability, and travel dates.

Day 9 – November 7: Tour Coyoacán and enjoy museum visits

See a lesser-known side of Mexico City by exploring charming Coyoacán, a traditional neighborhood of pebbled streets, colonial churches, noisy local markets, coffee shops, and quaint squares.

Visit the Dolores Olmedo Museum for their traditional Day of the Dead exhibition and admire art pieces honoring the holiday’s traditions.

Finally, head to the famous Casa Estudio de Diego Rivera, the former home of Mexican icons and artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. See the workshop and original works by both Rivera and Kahlo.

Overnight: Four Seasons Mexico City

Note: Some sites from today´s itinerary may be temporarily closed due to Covid-19 restrictions. In this case, your travel planner will make adjustments for the best experience on the day, based on your preferences, availability, and travel dates.

Day 10 – November 8: Private transfer to Mexico City Airport

On your final day of this Day of the Dead celebration, enjoy a private transfer to Mexico City airport from where you will take your flight home.

Alternatively, speak to a Journey Mexico Travel Planner who can extend the trip with even more exciting activities in Mexico.

Dates

This trip can be customized for a private journey surrounding the dates of November 1st and 2nd. Programs and events subject to change according to festival calendar.

Prices

Our custom-tailored journeys start from $1,000 USD per day for two travelers. Contact us today to discuss your travel desires and design a personalized proposal with exact pricing.

Please note, our pricing guideline is a starting from price and is not necessarily applicable to the suggested hotels contained within the suggested itineraries on this web site. Itineraries are customized prior to final pricing.