From towering Catrinas along the boardwalk and an annual parade in Puerto Vallarta to performances and face painting in Playa del Carmen, here are a few of the best places to visit and stay to celebrate this annual, cultural tradition that reunites the living and dead with festivities, food and marigold flowers.
Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
To enjoy one of Mexico’s most sacred holidays, head to the newly renovated Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa to experience Dia de los Muertos, widely celebrated throughout the country on November 1 and 2 to honor the dead with colorful parades and long held cultural traditions. In Puerto Vallarta, the famous Malecon (boardwalk) is decorated with elaborate altares and enormous Catrinas while visitors can also observe the personal offerings, marigold petals and candles on display at the historic 5 de Diciembre cemetery, the city's oldest graveyard. The “Death is Alive” parade, featuring a procession of dancing skeletons and colorful floats throughout the cobblestoned streets of downtown, is also a favorite festivity. However, visitors can also experience the local traditions of Dia de los Muertos at Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa without even having to leave the property. Nestled nearby downtown, alongside the Banderas Bay and framed by the Sierra Madre Mountains, Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa shares its local culture with guests with a Celebration Beyond Life Dia de los Muertos Dinner on-site. A Celebration Beyond Life package includes a three (3) night stay and daily breakfast for two, tickets to the dinner event, as well as a Catrina face painting experience, a favorite tradition! Guests can learn the long-held traditions involved with the holiday through the staff's own altars and enjoy live music entertainment, and a special menu while connecting the present with the past to remember loved ones.
Sandos Caracol Eco Resort | Playa del Carmen, Mexico (pictured)
Experience the magic of Día de los Muertos like never before at Sandos Caracol Eco Resort in Riviera Maya, where the vibrant traditions of this sacred Mexican holiday come to life. Without ever having to leave the property, step into a scene reminiscent of Disney’s Coco as the resort transforms into a colorful celebration of remembrance and joy. Guests are immersed in a world of elaborate altars, parades of Catrinas (elegantly dressed skeleton characters), and ancient rituals that honor the lives of those who have passed. From mesmerizing performances to cultural ceremonies, mouthwatering traditional street food, face painting, festival games and more, this unconventional all-inclusive resort offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of Mexico’s most meaningful celebration.
Villa Bokéh | Antigua, Guatemala
For a truly unique observation of Día de los Muertos, consider Antigua, Guatemala - a UNESCO World Heritage city where All Saints’ Day is honored with depth, devotion, and artistry. Here, traditions run deep: families gather in candlelit cemeteries to decorate graves with marigolds, pine needles, and offerings, creating a powerful mosaic of remembrance and joy. Just beyond the city, in the highland towns of Sumpango and San Pedro Sacatepéquez, the sky itself becomes part of the celebration during the Giant Kite Festival - a centuries-old ritual where enormous, hand-painted kites are flown as symbolic messages to the spirits. With vibrant colors and spiritual significance, these kites connect heaven and earth in a moment that is both breathtaking and profoundly moving. For the discerning traveler seeking a stay as soulful as the setting, Villa Bokéh offers a seamless way to experience this cultural phenomenon - complete with a passionate and knowledgeable local concierge team, private guides and translators, and its own luxury vehicles and drivers to ensure every detail is effortlessly taken care of.
W Punta de Mita | Nayarit, Mexico
For those seeking an authentic and soulful way to honor Día de Los Muertos, W Punta de Mita offers a one-of-a-kind setting where tradition, artistry, and spirit come to life. Designed as a tribute to the Huichol (Wixárika) people, whose spiritual practices center on ancestry, remembrance, and connection, the resort itself embodies the very themes celebrated during this sacred holiday. From the Living Room Bar’s altar-inspired chandelier of glowing “candles”, to the Shaman-led Cacao Ceremony on the beach, every experience is crafted to honor the cycle of life and the memories of those who came before us. Guests can further savor the holiday through the flavors of Mexico at Rubra, the resort’s newest culinary experience from award-winning Chef Daniela Soto-Innes, or by attending Echoes of the Unknown, a four-course dinner on November 1 at Venazú featuring bold, myth-inspired dishes, live entertainment, and a vibrant, festive atmosphere. At W Punta de Mita, Día de Los Muertos is not just remembered, it is lived in every sense, making it the ultimate destination to celebrate this timeless tradition.
