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Map of Mexico City: Day of the Dead Original including Mexico

This cultural festival will have you spooked in all the right ways.

Feel the mystical vibes of the weird and wonderful Dia de los Muertos, or the annual Day of the Dead festival, on a five-day cultural exploration of Mexico City. Sample tasty street food at the open air Mercado Jamaica, see the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacan, participate in a traditional Day of the Dead ceremony and see elaborate altars dedicated to the deceased. This festival is all about rituals, so dive straight in to the spooky and spiritual ceremonies that have made this tradition so famous. Oh, and Mexico City’s tacos will make you feel you’ve died and gone to heaven, too.

Start
Mexico City, Mexico
Finish
Mexico City, Mexico
Destination
Mexico
Style
Original
Theme
Festivals and Events
Code
QVSO
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Fiesta the night away in Mexico City and get into the true spirit of this haunting ceremonial festival.

  • Get the low-down on all of the traditions and rituals of the Day of the Dead festival, including taking part in making your own traditional altar offering.

  • See the ruins known as the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacan and stroll down The Avenue of the Dead to discover what life here was like nearly 2000 years ago.

  • Visit Panteon Tulyehualco cemetery to view graves that have been decorated with colourful flowers, photos and food, and see the Day of the Dead ceremonies.

  • Sample tasty street food at the open air Mercado Jamaica where people come to buy everything they need for the Day of the Dead, including the famous pan de muerto sweet rolls.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This itinerary is designed to provide the best possible experience of the annual Day of the Dead festivities around Mexico City. As such, there is very limited free time to explore many of the area’s most popular tourist attractions, including the Museum of Anthropology and Chapultepec Park. We recommend you stay a few extra days before or after the tour to make the most of this vibrant metropolis. If you would like to spend more time in Mexico City, we’ll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

  • We will be operating multiple departures of this tour so it possible that more than one group will be at some locations or activities at the same time. However, each group will have a maximum of 12 passengers with its own dedicated tour leader.

Day of the dead parade
Aerial view of the Teotihuacan pyramid in San Juan, Mexico
Traditional Pan de Muerto bread eaten on the Day of the Dead in Mexico
Mexico City cathedral day of the dead
Flowers at Mercado de Jamaica flower market in Mexico City, Mexico
day-of-the-dead_grave_candles
Mexico city day of the dead parade

Itinerary
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Bienvenidos a Mexico! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Modern meets ancient in Mexico City – one of the world's largest urban centres. Although crowded and smoggy, Mexico City offers a great variety of impressive museums, galleries and architecture, along with exciting nightlife and delicious street food. If you arrive early, head to the Zocalo – the city's huge central square – to see Aztec ruins and colonial architecture or relax in one of the many parks, plazas and gardens. After your important meeting, why not head out and see this city in full swing – street tacos, anyone? You’ll already have noticed a mystical feeling in the air, so keep an eye out for any Day of the Dead decorations you can spot around town.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Depart Mexico City and travel to Teotihuacan where you'll discover the extraordinary ruins known as the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, which dominate the skyline. This was once one of the country's biggest ancient cities and the Aztec capital. Join an expert local guide and stroll down The Avenue of the Dead to see fascinating clues as to what life here was like nearly 2000 years ago. In the afternoon, you’ll visit Panteon Tulyehualco cemetery to see the graves that have been decorated with colourful flowers, photos, food and more. As part of the Day of the Dead, people organise ceremonies at the cemetery for those not physically with them any longer and commemorate the lives of people passed over. In the afternoon, get hands-on by creating your own traditional altar for Day of the Dead and then participate in the ceremony that follows.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mexico – Teotihucan ruins guided visit
  • Mexico City - Cemetery visit
  • Mexico City - Day of the Dead altar creation
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Set out on a walking tour of Mexico City’s historic centre, walking past the Zocalo, Metropolitan Cathedral, Templo Mayor and Palacio de Bellas Artes. You’ll also swing by the open air Mercado Jamaica where people come to buy everything they need for the Day of the Dead, including the famous pan de muerto sweet rolls. After you’ve looked around, you might want to buy yourself some lunch or try some of the special festival foods. You’ll also have the chance to visit altars in several different locations in Mexico city.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mexico City - Jamaica Market visit
  • Mexico City - City Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today is free for you to explore your way. Take in the view of the city from the Torre Latino 360° Lookout, head to the Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes), or visit the Frida Kahlo Museum in the Coyoacan neighbourhood. If you're in a spooky mood, perhaps book a ride on one of the trajineras (boats) that travel through the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco (approximately 28 km away). Make sure you take a boat that stops at Doll's Island, or Isla de las Munecas, which is dedicated to the lost soul of a poor girl who drowned in mysterious circumstances. This small island is home to hundreds of dolls – many of them with severed limbs, decapitated heads and black eyes – who are said to be possessed by the girl's spirit. Local legends say that the dolls move their heads and arms and have even been known to open their eyes.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Mexico City - Torre Latino 360° Lookout (entrance fee) - MXN170
  • Mexico City - Boat ride through Floating Gardens of Xochimilco (Approx. per boat per hour) - MXN350
  • Mexico City - Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) (entrance fee) (Closed Mondays) - MXN80
  • Mexico City - Frida Kahlo Museum (entrance fee) - MXN250
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Due to high demand, tickets for the Frida Kahlo Museum may not be available to book locally. We recommend booking online at least one month in advance in order to secure your place. Please visit www.museofridakahlo.org.mx to purchase your ticket.

Your immersion in Mexico's Day of the Dead festival ends after breakfast this morning. That doesn’t mean your Mexican adventure has to come to an end! If you would like to spend more time in Mexico City, we’ll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

4 breakfasts

Transport

Private vehicle, Metro

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights)

Included activities

  • Mexico – Teotihucan ruins guided visit
  • Mexico City - Cemetery visit
  • Mexico City - Day of the Dead altar creation
  • Mexico City - Jamaica Market visit
  • Mexico City - City Tour

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Mexico City: Day of the Dead Original trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Essential trip information

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