Overview & Highlights
Watch and take part in Mexico’s biggest annual cultural event, the Day of the Dead celebrations
- City tour and Anthropology Museum in Mexico City
- Oaxaca: Explore the city and local markets
- Take part in traditional Day of the Dead activities in Oaxaca
This eventful short holiday invites you to observe and even participate in the colourful rituals of the Day of the Dead, a festivity which is enthusiastically embraced in Mexico. You spend some time in Mexico City before moving on to Oaxaca which, with its airy patios and graceful arcades, is famed for its colourful market, serapes, crafts and dances. The celebrations are particularly animated in this region.
The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) involves a traditional ritual, both vivacious and contemplative, during which Mexicans pray for and remember friends or family members who have passed away and assist them on their spiritual journey.
Death is not to be feared: this is a celebration of the lives of those who have died. The so-called Day of the Dead – actually three days – gets under way on Halloween, 31 October and extends into 1-2 November, coinciding with All Saints Day and All Souls Day in the Catholic calendar. Exuberant parades with rumbustious music, where participants wear ghoulish costumes and skull-masks in vibrant colours take place alongside calmer, quieter celebrations featuring anecdotes, many amusing, about the lives of the departed. You’ll get to know local families and share their experiences.
Outline itinerary
Day 1
28 Oct: Arrive Mexico City.
Day 2
29 Oct: Guided city tour and Museum of Anthropology.
Day 3
30 Oct: Fly to Oaxaca: explore Tlacolula market, Teotitlan, Santo Domingo Tomaltepec.
Day 4
31 Oct: Explore Abastos market; visit a traditional wake.
Day 5
1 Nov: Day of the Innocents. Soledad Etla Valley and Comparsa Parade.
Day 6
Nov 2: Day of the Dead. Valley of Ocotlan, Coyotepec and Tilcajete.
Day 7
3 Nov: Fly to Mexico City to connect with international flight home.
Things to do
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What our clients say
97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.
The whole trip was memorable - it's impossible to pick just one part. The Cuban people I met were friendly and warm - it was good to practice my Spanish, and their love of music and dance, and care for each other is an example for us all.
LA, London
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Our specialists have been expertly crafting award-winning tailor-made holidays to Latin America for 40 years. We would be delighted to create a truly personalised trip which perfectly matches your wishes and requirements.
Carrie Gallagher - Travel Expert
A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours department.
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View Extraordinary Inspiration
Evie Oswald - Travel Expert
It's hard to believe that Evie has had time to cram so much in to her life so far. Having lived as a child in the Americas and Europe she found herself immediately attracted to Latin America.
Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert
Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.
Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert
After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.
Ben Line - Travel Expert
Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.
Sophie Barber - Travel Expert
Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.
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Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.
