How to Enjoy Authentic Day of the Dead Celebrations in Mexico

The bright marigolds, vivid parades, and sugar skulls certainly dazzle the senses. But dig deeper into Dead of the Dead, preferably with an expert who can explain the time-honoured traditions, and you’ll come away with a new perspective on the celebration.

Born in Mexico City, Mexico travel expert, Paulina Gonzalez, knows better than anyone how to bring those traditions to life. Her insider knowledge has been priceless to our groups, and now she’s ready to share that with you. Lead the way, Paulina.

What is Day of the Dead?

How to Enjoy Authentic Day of the Dead Celebrations in Mexico, According to a Local Expert

Día de Muertos, as it’s known in Mexico, is a celebration that honours and remembers loved ones who have passed away. Its origins date back more than a thousand years to the indigenous Toltec and Aztec civilisations, later blending with Catholic customs brought by the Spanish.

Despite its name, Day of the Dead is not confined to a single day. The celebration spans two days: November 1st is dedicated to the souls of children, while November 2nd honours deceased adults.

Mexico is a vast and culturally diverse country, so the way Día de Muertos is celebrated varies from region to region. However, the core traditions, remembering ancestors, creating colourful altars, and celebrating life and death, remain the same throughout the country.

How do Mexicans celebrate Day of the Dead?

The preparations begin about a week in advance with the creation of altars (ofrendas). Every altar is unique, but they often include important symbols such as candles, cempasúchil (Mexican marigold) flowers, incense, colourful cut-paper decorations, calaveritas de azúcar (sugar skulls), pan de muerto (bread of the dead), and photographs.

Each element represents a connection between the living and the dead. During the course of that week, families place food and drinks that their loved ones enjoyed on the altar as offerings. In this way, the altar is ready for the visit of our loved ones on the 1st and 2nd of November.

These two days are a time for families to come together to celebrate life, honour the deceased, and cherish those who are alive. In my family, we eat a lot of food, enjoy traditional pan de muerto, dress up as catrinas, and some members attend church.

I remember a particularly special Day of the Dead when I was 17. My grandmother had passed away just weeks before, coinciding with a school ofrenda project. The project involved a month of preparation, from making sand or sawdust carpets to creating an altar representing how these days are celebrated in Mixquic (a historic community in Mexico City) along with the local legends.

Without realising it at first, the altar ended up honouring my grandmother — her photo was placed at the centre. Although her passing was very sad, sharing this project with my friends, classmates, and teachers helped me feel supported.

Seeing her photo on that altar made me feel that she was remembered, celebrated, and still present with all of us.

Where’s the best place to celebrate Day of the Dead in Mexico?

I would say the best places are those that celebrate it in the most traditional way, such as in Oaxaca, San Cristóbal de las Casas, and Pátzcuaro and Janitzio in Michoacán.

Oaxaca offers a visually stunning and culturally rich experience, blending indigenous Zapotec rituals with colonial influences. In Oaxaca city, Day of the Dead is not just a celebration — it’s a way of life. The streets fill with comparsa parades, face-painted locals, live bands, and bright sand carpets (tapetes de arena) that decorate doorways.

“The best places are those that celebrate it in the most traditional way ”

Paulina Gonzalez Mexico travel expert

Families spend the night in cemeteries lighting candles and sharing food with their departed loved ones in an atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and festive. You can also visit artisanal markets, where local artists sell hand-crafted skulls, textiles, and figurines inspired by the celebration.

In San Cristóbal, Chiapas, Day of the Dead has a more intimate and indigenous character. The nearby villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán observe the day in unique ways, merging Maya cosmology with Catholic traditions. All the altars are decorated with pine needles, candles, and flowers, with families gather quietly in cemeteries surrounded by misty mountains. This is a deeply emotional, almost mystical experience.

Another emblematic place where Day of the Dead is truly magical is Patzcuaro y Janitzio in Michoacan. Purépecha families decorate graves with candles, flowers, and offerings, and on Janitzio island, the cemetery is illuminated with hundreds of candles while prayers and songs are heard all night long.

What to eat on Day of the Dead?

Tamales are the most traditional main course. You should buy or prepare them in advance because everyone wants to eat them that day. Mole served with a protein and rice is also common.

For dessert, we enjoy pan de muerto, sugar skulls, and seasonal fruits. Regarding drinks, a must is atole or champurrado — warm, thick beverages made from corn masa, water or milk, cinnamon, and sometimes chocolate.

What should you avoid?

It’s important to be respectful of each family’s beliefs and practices. Avoid judging or laughing at the altars and keep quiet during explanations.

Many families may pray or speak to their departed loved ones, so it’s best to listen and observe, allowing yourself to connect with the ritual in a respectful way.

Do not take food or drinks from the altar unless it has been explicitly offered to you. Remember that this festival has indigenous origins, and in some communities, rituals are considered sacred.

Respect both the practices and the people sharing them. Families are opening their homes and culture to visitors with care and generosity, so approach it as a meaningful cultural exchange rather than a spectacle.

How Can I Join an Authentic Day of the Dead Celebration in Mexico?

We have two Day of the Dead adventures at Exodus, each of which is a special departure of our popular Discover Mexico trip. Guided by an expert tour leader, like Paulina, you’ll experience authentic Day of the Dead celebrations, seen through the eyes of a local.

Here’s what you can expect on your special Día de Muertos day for each trip:

Discover Mexico – Day of the Dead (Oaxaca)

Our day begins with breakfast in Ocotlán de Morelos market, discovering traditional Oaxacan dishes amid festive altars. In the afternoon, we share lunch with a local family, enjoying mole and other regional foods, exploring their Day of the Dead shrine, and hearing the Zapotec language.

We then join a vibrant parade before visiting the cemetery at night, where brass bands play and families gather to decorate graves, creating a moving celebration of life, memory, and cultural tradition.

Mexico

Discover Mexico – Day of the Dead (Oaxaca)

Pre-Columbian temples, colonial towns, highlands and jungles.

16 Days from CAD 9310

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Discover Mexico – Day of the Dead (San Cristobal)

We immerse ourselves in the celebrations by visiting cemeteries around San Cristóbal, where colourful altars and heartfelt tributes honour loved ones. Markets and bakeries bustle with seasonal offerings, giving us the chance to taste specialities made only for this time of year.

Later, we travel to the Chamulan village of Romerillo, where time-honoured traditions remain unchanged. Here, the cemetery is a striking sight, filled with towering blue wooden crosses adorned with bright chrysanthemums, creating a vivid and deeply authentic experience.