Where to Stay for Dia de Los Muertos Celebrations in Mexico

Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is one of the most popular times for travel to Mexico, giving family travelers the chance to be part of another culture’s treasured traditions. Whether a parents’ getaway or traveling with your family, you’ll find resorts and hotels where you can combine a relaxing vacation with this local experience.

Dia de Los Muertos predates the Spanish conquest, possibly originating with the Aztecs, who viewed death as a continuation of life. They held festivals honoring their goddess of the dead. In modern times, the festival centers around honoring the dead by visiting their graves with gifts, and setting up family altars, called ofrendas, welcoming back departed spirits and displaying items significant in their lives. These observations are more joyous than sad, remembering and celebrating the lives of the departed.

You’ll see these ofrendas, decorated with candles, copal incense, mementos, foods and marigold blossoms, in many places, including lobbies of hotels and resorts. Skulls made of sugar, faces painted as skeletons (known as La Cantrina) and skull-shaped breads called pan de muerto are part of the modern festivities. This vibrant tradition has been listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

In the heart of San Miguel de Allende, Casa de Sierra Nevada treats guests staying for at least three nights to welcome cocktails, daily breakfast, a La Catrina makeup session for two and a personal altar kit designed by artist Betsabeé Romero. With this kit, guests can build their own altars dedicated to loved ones in their guestroom.

To combine the colorful Dia de Los Muertos festivities with a beach vacation, choose Cozumel, Playa del Carmen or other Caribbean beach towns on the Yucatan Peninsula.

The family-friendly Riviera Maya Grand Velas Resort welcomes guests with a Día del Muertos offer that includes a Mexican cooking class led by the resort’s executive chef and complimentary tickets to the eco-archaeological park of Xcaret for The Festival of Life and Death Nov. 2. Here, guests can experience the Hanal Pixan ritual (food for the souls), as well as traditional Day of the Dead dishes and treats, skull making, art exhibitions, theater, and dance. Young family members will enjoy the Kids’ Club and Teens’ Club at Grand Velas.

Colorful costume parades are a common part of the festivities, and one of the best is in Playa del Carmen, where a giant procession winds its way down La Quinta Avenida, known as Playa del Carmen’s Fifth Avenue. Just minutes from this colorful and exciting scene, 4-star Allegro Playacar Hotel overlooks the beach from a lush tropical setting. Families appreciate the variety of sports available, as well as the unlimited meals, snacks and beverages at any of the four restaurants and pizzeria.