Mayakoba, Mexico’s 595-acre legacy enclave and luxury resort destination on the Riviera Maya, announces the return of its Day of the Dead celebration, a three-day event featuring curated guest programming and authentic experiences.
From Friday, October 31 to Sunday, November 2, Mayakoba’s festivities will offer a unique opportunity for guests to immerse themselves in local Mexican culture and this widely celebrated annual holiday. Renowned for its connection to nature, culinary excellence, acclaimed spas, culturally inspired programming and recreational pursuits, Mayakoba is home to three meaningfully placed luxury resorts – Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Fairmont Mayakoba, and Rosewood Mayakoba – with a fourth, Alila Mayakoba, opening in late 2025. Each resort will complement the destination-wide celebration with dedicated guest experiences to round out the weekend’s programming.
Day of the Dead – or Día de Muertos – dates back thousands of years to the era of the Aztecs in Mexico, who saw death as an integral, ever-present part of life. On this holiday, it’s believed that the souls of the deceased briefly return to the living world to reunite with their loved ones. They are treated as honored and celebrated guests, and living relatives leave out their favorite foods and other offerings on candlelit altars in their homes, and celebrate at their gravesites, cleaning and decorating the graves and sharing stories, music, and food.
“We’re thrilled to announce the return of Mayakoba’s Día de Muertos celebration this fall, bringing this culturally rich and community-driven tradition to life for our guests,” says Luis Durán, CEO of RLH Properties, the ownership group of Mayakoba. “Mayakoba has long been known for its appreciation and integration of local history and culture, and we look forward to an immersive and memorable weekend.”
Each evening, Mayakoba will offer sunset boat tours through the destination’s canals and waterways, complete with performances and entertainment during the ride, before stopping at an immersive experience. The traditional altars, decorated with candles and flowers, offer an authentic way for guests to enjoy the rituals of Day of the Dead, inclusive of passed bites and drinks, entertainment, and a special opportunity to honor and connect with passed loved ones. Throughout the weekend, Mayakoba and its resorts will also host cultural workshops celebrating unique elements of Day of the Dead, including making sugar skulls, hand-painting catrinas and milagritos, along with education around the importance of these Mexican traditions. Guests will discover parades, themed dinners, and a lively Day of the Dead party complete with live music, dancing, performances, and local cuisine and drinks.
While on property, guests can also immerse themselves in the local culture through interactive cooking classes hosted at the El PueblitoCooking School; traditional spa and wellness experiences; and standout regional tours to explore the ancient ruins at Chichen Itza and Tulum.
To book your exclusive Day of the Dead experience, please visit Mayakoba’s website or follow @mayakoba on social media for more details.
