Day of the Dead, or Día de Muertos, is a special Mexican tradition. People celebrate it every year on November 1 and 2. Families honor their loved ones who have died. They make colorful altars, called ofrendas, in their homes. On the altars, they put photos, candles, marigold flowers, sugar skulls, and bread called pan de muerto. These things are to welcome the spirits back for a short visit. Families also share food, music, and stories. The celebration is not sad. It is happy and full of love. It is about remembering life, sharing memories, and honoring those gone.
Must-see attractions in Día de los Muertos include colorful altars, parades, candlelit cemeteries, Catrina and alebrije parades, papel picado streets, marigold markets, traditional dances, sugar skulls, music, and community gatherings.
Plan 3–5 days: arrive October 30 or 31, experience November 1 and 2 ceremonies, and keep a buffer day for markets, workshops, cemetery visits, and crowd-free travel.
Yes, Día de los Muertos is generally safe for tourists. Cities prepare well, with events, parades, and security, but visitors should still follow local guidance and precautions.
Día de los Muertos destinations are known for colorful altars, marigolds, sugar skulls, traditional food, music, and heartfelt celebrations honoring ancestors with joy and remembrance.
You can expect colorful parades, candlelit altars, marigold flowers, sugar skulls, music, dance, family gatherings, traditional food, cemetery visits, and joyful remembrance of loved ones during Día de Muertos. Especially in places such as Mexico City, Morelos, Oaxaca, Aguascalientes, Veracruz, among others.
Pack light layers, a warm jacket, comfortable shoes, colorful clothes, face paint, marigolds, camera, reusable water bottle, sunscreen, small cash, respectful spirit, and open heart.
You can try pan de muerto, sugar skulls, tamales, mole, hot chocolate, calabaza en tacha, atole, pozole, churros, and traditional candies honoring the occasion.
Yes! Families build colorful altars with photos and offerings, visit cemeteries (like Mixquic) to clean graves, light candles, share stories, and believe spirits return to enjoy their favorite things.