4 Mexico Hotels That Take Day of the Dead to the Next Level in 2024

If you’re eager to immerse yourself in Mexico's rich cultural heritage, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) offers an opportunity like no other. This ancient tradition, which blends Mesoamerican and European customs, is celebrated across the country with vibrant colors, food, music and remembrance of loved ones who have passed away. And there are several ways you can experience various aspects of this fascinating tradition.

Day of the Dead is a Mexican tradition celebrated on November 1 and 2, so mark your calendar and make your plans now. For 2024, several luxury hotels in Mexico are hosting spectacular Day of the Dead events, and a luxury travel concierge is also offering some unforgettable experiences for travelers. So if you're looking for ideas about how to celebrate Dia de los Muertos in Mexico,  check out these ideas. This will surely be far from your usual Mexico vacation. 

The new Alexander Hotel in Mexico City is offering a series of immersive Día de los Muertos experiences that dive deep into the celebration's cultural and historical significance. One of the standout offerings is the San Fernando Pantheon Tour, where guests are taken on a private exploration of the cemetery, home to the graves of notable historical figures. Starting with a visit to the Day of the Dead Museum, the tour concludes with a curated meal prepared by top chefs featuring traditional, seasonal dishes. For those seeking a deeper connection to ancestral customs, the Ancestral Roots Tour explores Mexico City’s vibrant neighborhoods and markets, culminating in an authentic journey through the heart of Día de los Muertos celebrations in the State of Mexico.

For guests seeking a more festive experience, the hotel offers an exclusive viewing of the Día de Muertos Parade from a private terrace, complete with traditional snacks and drinks, as well as commentary on the parade’s cultural significance. The most immersive experience, however, is the Journey to Mixquic, where guests spend a day with a local family, participating in altar-building, cooking traditional meals, and joining the heartfelt cemetery celebrations that take place in the evening. These curated experiences, paired with the Alexander Hotel’s luxurious accommodations and prime location in Torre Virreyes, make it an ideal destination for an unforgettable Day of the Dead experience.

Nestled along Mexico's Pacific coast, Thompson Zihuatanejo invites guests to experience Día de los Muertos with a blend of traditional and modern festivities. The celebration kicks off on October 31 with an altar-building session at Hao, the resort's oceanfront bar. Participants can contribute photos and mementos to honor their own ancestors, while sipping complimentary mocktails and snacks. This event sets a meaningful tone for the days ahead, offering an authentic way to engage with the cultural significance of the holiday.

On November 1, guests will find a pan de muerto amenity in their rooms — a delicious, sweet bread adorned with bone-shaped designs. This traditional offering symbolizes nourishment for the returning souls. Guests can also enjoy pan de muerto paired with hot chocolate at breakfast. In the evening, Thompson Zihuatanejo’s Ceniza restaurant will host a Day of the Dead Dinner, featuring a curated four-course meal with dishes like escamoles tacos, tortilla soup and a pumpkin-inspired dessert, all accompanied by live music.

On November 2, the celebrations continue with a La Catrina Sugar Skeleton Makeup session at Hao, where guests can transform into the iconic Day of the Dead figure with professional makeup, preparing them for the final event: a Mexican Day of the Dead Party, which will include traditional food and live music to cap off the three-day celebration.

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On the picturesque Mexican Riviera Nayarit, the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita will host its annual Catrinas Fest, a culinary and cultural extravaganza celebrating Día de los Muertos. The three-day event brings together top Mexican chefs and mixologists to craft unforgettable dining experiences. Executive Chef Jorge González of Dos Catrinas will be joined by notable guest chefs including Richard Sandoval and Carlos Galán, who will curate multi-course dinners, cooking demonstrations and cocktail parties.

The culinary highlights include a Tertulia Night on November 1, where guests can savor an array of culinary masterpieces at various food stations, while enjoying traditional Mexican face painting, stilt walkers and live music. The following day, guests can witness a Barbacoa demonstration at Cuevas Beach, where chefs will slow-cook meat over a pit oven, and marinate it with agave leaves, a local indigenous tradition. That evening, a Día de Muertos Dinner at Dos Catrinas will showcase each guest chef’s creativity, accompanied by live performances.

To conclude the festivities, La Vida Brunch on November 3 will offer a buffet of Mexican classics, including barbacoa, chilaquiles, and a signature Bloody Catrinas beverage, all accompanied by live marimba music. The resort also offers cooking classes throughout the weekend, where guests can learn to prepare traditional Mexican dishes. For families, the Kids Club hosts special activities like sugar skull piñata-making and Catrina face painting.

For a historic and artistic take on Día de los Muertos, Casa de Sierra Nevada in San Miguel de Allende is a rewarding choice. San Miguel de Allende, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the “Number 1 City in the World” according to Travel + Leisure, is renowned for its vibrant culture and colonial architecture. The city comes alive during Día de los Muertos, with colorful altars and candlelit processions filling the Jardín Principal on November 2.

At Casa de Sierra Nevada, guests can expect a lavish three-day celebration beginning on November 1. The festivities include a feast at Andanza and the Blue Bar, featuring dishes like squash blossom cream soup, duck mixiote and mushroom pozole, followed by canario tamal for dessert. Live guitar music and the presence of marigolds set the scene for an atmospheric evening of remembrance and celebration.

The next day, revelers can enjoy a rooftop party at Tunki Rooftop by Handshake, a trendy bar with sweeping views of the city. You can sip handcrafted cocktails while dancing the night away to a live DJ and bring your visit to a close with a brunch at Tunki Rooftop on November 3, with a feast of Mexican antojitos and traditional dishes.

For a fully personalized and luxurious experience, luxury travel concierge TwoTravel offers a curated Día de los Muertos itinerary in Mexico City. From the moment guests arrive, they are treated to a bespoke itinerary, with activities that can include in-home face painting and costume styling, a private terrace overlooking the Grand Día de Muertos Parade and a catered traditional Mexican brunch.

Guests can also participate in a traditional altar offering and visit the Pantheon Tulyehualco, one of the city’s most legendary cemeteries. The itinerary includes a walking culinary tour of Mercado Jamaica, where locals shop for Día de Muertos essentials like flowers, candles, and food.

TwoTravel has also added the luxurious Casa Alvarado to its portfolio of private homes in Mexico City. This seven-bedroom property offers the perfect base for a group of up to 14 guests to enjoy a private and immersive Día de Muertos experience in the heart of the city.