Dia de Muertos is an ancient tradition that traces its roots in modern form to the mixing of Mesoamerican Indigenous beliefs with European Spanish culture. No place better represents the symbiotic relationship between Spanish baroque design and Mexican culture than San Miguel de Allende.
Long a travel hotspot – and having just been voted the “Number 1 City in the World” by the readers of Travel + Leisure, San Miguel de Allende is a living canvas. The gorgeous Mexican UNESCO world heritage site still rings with pastel hued colonial casas and incredible Mexican culture: a colorful place to celebrate Dia de Muertos. Ever since the Disney movie Coco, the Dia de Muertos celebrations have become a more public affair. Altars and processions fill the Jardin Principal (main square) on November 2nd. Candlelight and acoustic guitar fill the streets, as do families vibrantly remembering those who came before.
And the place to experience the holiday in style for discerning visitors is centrally located Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel, San Miguel de Allende. One of just two Belmond branded properties in Mexico, the hotel blends seamlessly into the historic artistic scene of San Miguel. Built from former colonial mansions, including that of San Miguel de Allende’s one-time archbishop, Casa de Sierra Nevada steeps its visitors in the luxury and splendor of colonial Spain, while its cultural and artistic workshops immerse travelers in the warmth and beauty of Mexican culture.
This Dia de Muertos, guests at Casa de Sierra Nevada can expect feasts, live DJs, cocktails, and rooftop brunches – part of a thoughtful three-day, two-night itinerary. On the first day of Dia de Muertos, November 1st, amidst a sea of orange marigolds, Andanza and The Blue Bar will host a feast for the ages. Filled with lively remembrances, and the sounds of a guitar filling the air, the banquet is set to feature a hearty Mexican menu. From squash blossom cream soup and duck mixiote to suckling pig tapataxtle and mushroom pozole, no one is leaving hungry. And for dessert, canario tamal – a classic postre for Dia de Muertos, sweet tamale made with sugar, milk, and raisins, topped with red fruit coulis with eggnog sauce and a tuile cookie to accompany.
On the second day: the festivities commence. Far from a somber occasion, Dia de Muertos is about celebrating the lives of those who came before. At the iconic Tunki Rooftop by Handshake – curated by the team behind the best bar in the world, and with views of the towering Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel – guests can party long into the night. Savor cocktails handcrafted for the occasion while a live DJ sets the tone. Gather under the pink-red-hued skies of San Miguel to honor the timeless ritual with a contemporary twist.
And on the third day, November 3rd, sleep in – brunch can wait. Beginning at 11AM after the festivities have wound down, guests can head back to Tunki Rooftop by Handshake for an exquisite brunch that celebrates the essence of Mexico. Delectable antojitos and Mexican classics accompany the unparalleled vista of San Miguel de Allende. The brunch is the quintessential, and sumptuous, end to a Dia de Muertos weekend in the artistic capital of Mexico.
