Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is one of Mexico’s most iconic and heartfelt traditions, a celebration of life that honours those who have passed rather than mourning their loss. It’s a time when families gather to remember, decorate altars with offerings, and fill the streets with color, music, and joy.
Begin your evening in the Centro Histórico, meeting your bilingual guide around 6pm. The streets are already alive with color, music, and marigold garlands as locals prepare to honor their loved ones, setting the perfect mood for what’s to come.
Enter a Dia de los Muertos cemetery (Pantheon) transformed for the day, where every grave tells a story through its glowing ofrenda. You’ll see altars adorned with Day of the Dead sugar skulls, candles, pan de muerto, and photographs of ancestors, as families gather to sing, share food, and celebrate, a night where remembrance bridges the worlds of the living and the dead.
Listen as your guide unravels the origins and meanings behind the Day of the Dead decorations, explaining how pre-Hispanic Aztec beliefs about the afterlife merged with Catholic All Saints’ traditions to create today’s Day of the Dead.
Continue to the UNESCO-listed district of Xochimilco, famed for its floating gardens. Board a brightly coloured trajinera and glide through lantern-lit waterways lined with flowers, altars, and other boats filled with singing locals. The air hums with laughter, mariachi music, and the scent of incense and marigolds.
Return to the Centro Histórico, your camera full of glowing colours and your heart full of emotion, having witnessed how Mexico transforms mourning into one of the world’s most beautiful celebrations of life.
The cemetery lit in the glow of thousands of candles, with ofrendas and cultural symbolism everywhere, a deeply atmospheric moment.
It’s Mexico’s most cherished tradition, a day to honor and celebrate loved ones who’ve passed away, not mourn them.
The festival takes place on 1 November, marking a time when families believe spirits return to visit the living.
You’ll see marigolds, sugar skulls, pan de muerto (bread of the dead), and colorful ofrendas (altars), each carrying deep spiritual meaning.
Cemeteries in the Centro Histórico and the canals of Xochimilco are the most atmospheric. The Day of the Dead City tour combines both, offering a rich, guided experience through rituals, stories, and celebrations.
Not at all, it’s a joyful reunion between the living and the departed. Families tell stories, share favourite foods, and play music to celebrate life.
Wear comfortable shoes and layers, as you’ll walk through cemeteries and spend time on the water at night. Adding a touch of color, like a marigold accessory or face paint, helps you blend into the festivities.
Photography is encouraged, but always be respectful. Ask before photographing families or private altars, especially in cemeteries.
Expect about 8 hours in total, covering both the cemetery and the Xochimilco boat ride.
Your guide will be bilingual (English and Spanish), making it easy to follow the stories and meanings behind each tradition.
Discover Frida Kahlo’s iconic Red House, stroll through Coyoacán, and cruise Xochimilco, all in one day.
Inclusions
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Professional bilingual guide (English/Spanish)
Air-conditioned round-trip transportation
Trajinera boat ride in Xochimilco
Live mariachi performance
Guided walking tour in Coyoacán
Entry to Frida Kahlo’s Red House (Casa Roja)
Freshly made Mexican churro
What to bring
What’s not allowed
Accessibility
Additional information
You can cancel these tickets up to 72 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
