Experience the unique Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico City for 5 nights from just £799pp!
You might have seen it in the movies or on TV but now’s your chance to experience the Day of the Dead in real life with this six-day tour. Explore Mexico City’s markets and tuck into local street food. Get into the spirit with traditional face painting then join a citywide procession. Venture to a small town to witness the elaborate altars built in honour of loved ones passed. You’ll walk away with a greater appreciation for this important cultural event and some incredible memories to boot.
Price includes expert guides throughout your trip, 5 nights B&B hotel accommodation, in-destination transport, fantastic excursions and tours, and a free £39 donation to the charity of your choice!
Tour Details
Travel Style: Classic
All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.
Service Level: Standard
Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.
Physical Rating: 2 – Light
Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; The G staff to traveller ratio of a small group, but it’s a G party! The more the merrier.
Age requirement: 12+
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 – Mexico City
Arrive at any time.
Day of the Dead takes place between October 31 and November 2 and is a celebration and remembrance of the deceased. Families will build private altars and bring large feasts to cemeteries, to be with the souls of the departed. It is believed that the souls will come back to visit and take part in the celebrations. Some of the “ofrendas” (altars) are very elaborate and include sugar skulls and marigold flowers. In most regions, the souls of infants and children are honoured on November 1. Adults are remembered on November 2. It is generally a festive rather than somber gathering.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Meeting – Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don’t forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Hotel accommodation: Hotel Soy Local CDMX (or similar)
Day 2 – Mexico City
Get out and explore Mexico City by walking through the historic centre with the CEO. Stop by the Jamaica Market to chat with some vendors, and learn about Day of the Dead goods for sale. Visit the San Juan Market to check out food stalls and sample some delicious Mexican street food.
Mexico City Walking Tour
Get the lay of the land during a walking tour of Mexico City with the CEO. Start by visiting the historic centre (known as the zócalo) of the city, before visiting the Jamaica Market to chat with some of the vendors about ceremonial objects used for Day of the Dead celebrations.
Your Foodie Moment: San Juan Market visit
The San Juan market is a traditional food market in the heart of Mexico City, and one of the oldest in the city. Enjoy time to wander through the market and sample mouth-watering street food – we hope you brought your appetite!
Optional activities
Lucha Libre Match
Combatants don colourful masks and catapult themselves towards their opponents off of the ring’s ropes, employing a variety of different moves and holds to pin them to the mat for a three-count. The largely Mexican crowds are usually rowdy, making “lucha libre” an entertaining way to throw yourself head-first into the local culture.
Please be aware that prices for tickets will vary depending on seat location.
Hotel accommodation: Hotel Soy Local CDMX (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Day 3 – Mexico City
Get into the spirit of Day of the Dead with a bit of face painting before setting off to take in Mexico City’s procession. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore Mexico City and surroundings. In the evening, head out to one of the many Day of the Dead street parties in the city.
Face Painting
Get into the spirit of Day of the Dead like the locals with some face painting to look like a sugar skull. Don’t forget your camera, the intricate designs and patterns will leave you in awe.
Mexico Day of the Dead Parade
The festivities in Mexico City for Day of the Dead are much newer than celebrations in other regions in the country. Starting only in 2012, the Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City has exploded in popularity and now includes over 700 performers who parade 10km through the city on floats with giant skulls and altars adorned with flowers, with up to 300,000 onlookers. Join the party and take in the intricately decorated floats and elaborate costumes during this unforgettable day.
Day of the Dead Street Party
As the Day of the Dead parade winds down, the party is only getting started. Join the group at one of the many street parties throughout the city and celebrate like the locals.
Hotel accommodation: Hotel Soy Local CDMX (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4 – Mexico City
Travel to the small town of San Andrés Mixquic in the afternoon to take in a procession to the graveyard. Visit a cemetery to see the elaborate altars and offerings prepared by locals in honour of the memories of their loved ones.
Free Time
Enjoy a free morning for optional activities, or relax after a busy day of Day of the Dead celebrations.
San Andrés Mixquic visit
Travel to the small town of San Andrés Mixquic, just outside of the city. This town preserves the historic traditions of Day of the Dead, and is a great place to be involved in the local rituals. Join the locals on a procession to the Pantheon in the graveyard, where the smell of incense fills the air and and the sky is illuminated with candlelight to guide the way of the deceased souls to their families. Take in the elaborate alters and offerings and see how the locals celebrate the memories of their loved ones.
Hotel accommodation: Hotel Soy Local CDMX (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5 – Mexico City
Take advantage of a free day to explore more of Mexico City and surroundings. Opt to visit the massive pyramids of Teotihuacán, check out the Frida Kahlo Museum, or join the festivities on water on a boat in Xochimilco.
Free Time
Take advantage of free time to get out and explore this amazing city and its surroundings.
Optional activities
Teotihuacán Pyramids Visit
Visit the ruins of Teotihuacán northeast of Mexico City. This ruin site dates back to 100BC and has the impressive Avenue of the Dead, Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon. Bring water, wear a hat and solid walking shoes to learn all about this pre-Columbian Mesoamerican city that at its peak was once the largest city in all of the Americas.
Xochimilco Tour
Take on the famous canals of Xochimilco in a vibrant coloured gondola boat past vendors, mariachi bands and local artisans. Feel the vibes of the music around you as locals shop in the floating markets and hopefully you’ll find something to bring back home too.
Museum of Anthropology
Museum of Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul)
Visit the famed “Blue House” where Frida Kahlo was born, lived and died. Her lifelong home is open to those looking to learn more about or see what life was like for the celebrated artist. The museum consists of ten rooms throughout the home, each filled with original furniture from when she lived there with her husband Diego Rivera, and personal items of Frida’s from letters, art materials, original works of art, to handcrafted kitchenwares. Tickets can be limited so we recommend booking in advance online: https://www.museofridakahlo.org.mx/?lang=en
Hotel accommodation: Hotel Soy Local CDMX (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6 – Mexico City
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Hotel accommodation: Hotel Soy Local CDMX (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Price correct as of 06Sep23
