Día de los Muertos Celebrations Are On At Mexico’s Favorite Resorts
It seems like every year, Día de los Muertos, known as the Day of the Dead, gains more international visibility with its identifiable images of sugar skulls and altars. However, the holiday has more cultural importance and richness of tradition in Mexico than most can imagine. Here’s how some of Mexico’s best resorts are celebrating the event, inviting guests to experience this unique tradition in style.
Día de los Muertos Celebrations
Sugar skulls, skeletons, and glimmering, candle-covered altars with marigolds are the images of Día de los Muertos that most outsiders will immediately recognize. Mexico’s luxury Velas Resorts, found at some of the most impressive coastal spots in Mexico, invite guests to have an even richer experience with the many local traditions and celebrations that make the holiday such a special one.
A Cultural Context
Velas Resorts offers some context for the celebration for travelers: “Celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, Día de Los Muertos is a deeply cherished Mexican holiday honoring the memories of loved ones who have passed. Traditionally marked by vibrant food, drinks, and ofrendas (elaborate altars), the living artfully prepare their loved one’s gravesites in hopes of one day reuniting.”
Día de los Muertos Grandeur
Traditional decorations like altars will inspire at Velas Resorts locations around the country. Velas Resorts boasts six luxury resorts across Mexico in destinations including Los Cabos, Playa del Carmen, the Riviera Nayarit, and Puerto Vallarta. An exclusive new property, Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos, is set to debut in November.
Día de los Muertos Catrinas
On November 2nd, Velas Vallarta will celebrate the celebration with a parade featuring the iconic Mexican Catrinas – a ubiquitous symbol of the Day of the Dead that has become, for many, representative of Mexican identity and tradition. The guided experience will showcase sculptures representing distinct Day of the Dead characters and stages of the history of coastal Puerto Vallarta.
Local Insights
For an even deeper connection with local tradition, guests will have the opportunity to engage with guides who will explain the origins and cultural significance of these Día de los Muertos traditions.
Mexology Fest
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit will host its first annual Mexology Fest, combining the best of Día de los Muertos traditions with Mexican mixology. Included in the resort’s nightly rate will be a two-day experience including workshops, tastings, and events led by leading mixologists from Mexico and the United States.
Pan de Muerto
Of course, festive treats like pan de muerto – known as “bread of the dead” and a staple on Día de los Muertos altars – are a part of the celebration.
Celebrate in Style
Grand Velas Los Cabos will offer culinary Day of the Dead treats for guests as well as a poolside Catrina parade with local musicians and dancers.
Catrina Makeup
Guests can add to the Día de los Muertos festivities with “Catrina Makeup” for a dinner of authentic Mexican cuisine at the resort’s numerous restaurants.
Day of the Dead Nighttime Promenade
Meanwhile, Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta offers a unique nighttime tour along the city’s lively malecón oceanfront promenade to take in the best of the town’s Día de los Muertos celebrations. Holiday shrines, art exhibits, and festivities await alongside the nearly seven-story-tall giant Catrina designed by local Puerto Vallarta artist Alondra Muca.
A Memorable Celebration
Is there any better way to enjoy a memorable Mexican resort vacation while gaining a deeper appreciation for Mexico’s vibrant history and culture? Celebrations at Velas Resorts make for the perfect way to celebrate a cultural mainstay in style.
Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual New York-based travel writer, editor, content marketer, and the founder of the digital travel publications Explorers Away and Home to Havana. Carley is an expert on all things Latin America, the Caribbean, and Cuba, having lived and worked in four different countries in the region. Her writing has appeared on the Associated Press wires and in Travel + Leisure, Yahoo, MSN, Euronews, The Weather Channel, and more. When she's not writing about her travels, find her front row at a Bad Bunny concert, befriending street cats, and taste-testing every pizza in Havana.