Día de los Muertos is one of Mexico's most anticipated celebrations. Let the stories of the departed and the extraordinary traditions of these dates take you by surprise on this tour through Oaxaca.
Tour Options
When booking, you can choose between 2 different options, each taking place on a different day. Both experiences will immerse you in the magic of the celebration:
October 31: Ofrenda and Celebration at the Camposanto (11 hours)
We'll start the day by heading to the community of San Antonino Castillo Velasco to explore the cempasúchil flower fields. Walking among the beauty of these fields, we'll learn about the deep symbolic significance of these flowers, the stars of any Día de los Muertos ofrenda.
We'll then head to the local market, where you'll have the chance to choose and buy the essential elements for your own ofrenda. We'll take in the authentic atmosphere of the market, browsing its colorful varieties of sugar skulls, candles, and other traditional items.
Our next stop will be a traditional family home, where we'll enjoy a warm cup of chocolate atole and typical snacks. As well as admiring a beautifully decorated family altar, we'll get a firsthand look at Oaxacan family traditions and rituals and have the chance to chat with our hosts.
We'll then continue to the famous Panteón de Xoxocotlán, a place where the atmosphere fills with spirituality and memory. We'll explore the tombs decorated with flowers and candles and learn about the deep emotional significance of this nighttime vigil.
We'll round off the day with a traditional dinner featuring tlayudas, Oaxaca's signature dish.
November 1: Dancing with La Catrina (12 hours)
After meeting up, we'll head to the Atzompa archaeological zone, a Zapotec complex that played a key role in the expansion of Monte Albán. We'll discover this space associated with the ancient nobility, where palaces, funerary complexes, and priests' residences once stood. A curious highlight: the site has 3 ball courts, something rarely found within a single complex.
From Atzompa, we'll head to Villa de Etla for a very special stop to get up close to the making of the famous wooden alebrijes alongside the Mixes communities, followed by a traditional tasting at the local market.
As night falls, the energy will shift entirely: we'll head into the town center to join a traditional comparsa. We'll dance to the sound of the local band, immersing ourselves in the joyful musical tradition of Día de los Muertos and letting the festive atmosphere of the streets carry us away.
To close the night in style, we'll sit down to a delicious traditional dinner of tamales, Oaxacan hot chocolate, and mezcal. Enjoy!
