Journeys: Mexico's Day of the Dead in Oaxaca

Celebrate one of Mexico’s most intriguing festivals in the eclectic city of Oaxaca, where indigenous culture holds strong. During Day of the Dead, which takes place at the end of October and early November each year, pre-Hispanic traditions honouring the departed merge with Catholic feasts to create a truly unique holiday. Delve into the beautiful spirit of Día de los Muertos, witnessing spectacular street dances, costumes, and altars while discovering the picturesque landscapes and mouthwatering flavours of Oaxaca.

Oaxaca Day of the Dead Celebrations

Led by an Expedition Leader, this journey into the heart of Oaxaca’s Day of the Dead is designed to be as vibrant and spontaneous as the holiday itself. To ensure you experience the most authentic celebrations — from local cemetery vigils to neighbourhood processions — the itinerary remains intentionally fluid. Rather than a rigid schedule, you'll follow the pulse of the city, confirming daily activities based on real-time local festivities. While the specific timing is finalized on the ground, your adventure includes immersive city walks, traditional town vigils, and the iconic Oaxaca procession.

The schedule for this tour is very flexible. It allows for the Expedition Leader to make the most of your time in Mexico. The schedule is based around the events and activities of the day. The Expedition Leader will go over the schedule with you locally.

Day 1 Oaxaca

You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.

The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. Check for the meeting time on the welcome note at the hotel. After introductions, your Expedition Leader will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.

Day 2 Oaxaca

Take an orientation walk through Oaxaca, known for its colourful crafts, unique cuisine, and vibrant Day of the Dead celebrations. During our walk, we’ll visit two bustling markets selling local foods, ornaments, and many Day of the Dead essentials. Over the course of the week, immerse yourself in the festival’s theatrical parades, watching people dressed in elaborate costumes march to the tune of brass bands; and observe local families gathering at candle-lit altars and graves on visits to the city’s cemeteries.

Free time

In your free time, you can opt to experience Oaxaca's other great offerings. Visit the nearby ruins of Monte Alban or relax in a cafe in the city's main square. We think there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Meals included: breakfast

Day 3 Oaxaca

Set out to explore the culinary delights of Oaxaca with a local host. The culinary richness of Oaxaca has been featured on an episode of National Geographic’s “Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted”, in which Ramsay explores the history and traditions of this Mexican city while learning how to make mole and tortillas from talented locals. Learn how to flip your own tortillas at a tortilla-making workshop before continuing to a local family's kitchen to taste an array of delicious Oaxacan dishes and chat with your hosts about traditional cooking methods and Oaxacan food culture. You’ll also have free time to explore the city and its surroundings.

Free time

Meals included: breakfast | lunch

Day 4 Oaxaca

Spend the day experiencing Oaxaca’s Day of the Dead festivities. Attend atmospheric vigils, photograph the boisterous parades, and learn about the spiritual significance of the holiday’s rituals. Opt to travel to Hierve el Agua. This stunning natural formation of mineral pools near the edge of a cliff.

Free time

Meals included: breakfast

Day 5 Oaxaca

Continue exploring the captivating culture of the Day of the Dead. In your free time, choose to wander among the plazas and pyramids of the Monte Albán ruins, a Zapotec site dating to the eighth century BC.

Meals included: breakfast

Day 6 Oaxaca

Enjoy the last of the Day of the Dead festivities. You may also opt to visit a nearby artisan community for a look at Oaxaca’s renowned traditional crafts, including pottery and handwoven textiles. Alternatively, learn how to prepare mole, the flavoursome Mexican sauce that comprises a famously inexhaustible list of ingredients.

Free time

Meals included: breakfast

Day 7 Oaxaca

Depart at any time.

Meals included: breakfast

Experiencing Día de los Muertos in Oaxaca is something you will never forget!  Contact your travel agent today.