Updated Oct 2023
Dia De Los Muertos Mexico
(Celebrating Day of the Dead in the Riviera Maya)
Unless you have been hiding under a rock, you have most likely seen, or at least heard of the movie, ‘Coco‘. Disney/Pixar did an incredible job capturing the essence of the Dia De Los Muertos in Mexico. We are thankful to Disney for helping transform the world’s view of the Day of the Dead from a peculiarly morbid tradition to a splendid cultural event full of colors and celebration of loved ones who have passed on. The Dia De Los Muertos traditions are similar across Latin America. However, Mexico has really kicked it up a notch and is even considered an Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Celebrating Day of the Dead in Mexico a bucket list worthy event everyone should participate in at least once in their lifetime.
Where is The Best Place Celebrate Dia De Los Muertos in Mexico?
The most popular places to celebrate Day of the Dead in Mexico are the larger cities of Oaxaca, Merida or Mexico City. No, the James Bond movie was NOT the inspiration for the Dia De Los Muertos celebrations in Mexico City. However, ‘Spectre‘ was the largest production of the celebration by far. You can participate in the parade of the calaveras for yourself at Aguacaliente’s 4 day Festival of Calaveras. And there are unique destinations like the small island of Janitzio on Lake Patzcuaro where they have extremely elaborate celebrations full of color and light. And let’s not forget the Historic Center of Guanajuato, which was the model for Land of the Dead in the movie ‘Coco’ and also for the filming of Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon A Time in Mexico‘. However, for a unique opportunity to experience the indigenous roots of Dia De Los Muertos, the Riviera Maya is where its at.
Celebrating the Festival of Life & Death at Xcaret
In the Riviera Maya, there are a couple of tour operators that have decided to embrace Dia De Los Muertos and invite the world to experience it for themselves. They are creating authentic experiences that everyone can participate in and learn more about one of the richest of Mexico’s cultural traditions.
Xcaret Park has been celebrating Dia De Los Muertos at their theme park for the past 14 years. As with any country, each region has their own unique cultural traditions that are unique to them. Each year, Xcaret highlights the distinct traditions of a different state in Mexico. This means, even if you went the year before, the next year will have something new and different. (Good thinking Xcaret!) This year, Xcaret’s Festival of Life & Death features the culture and traditions unique to the state of the beautiful state of San Luis Potosi. The 4 day Fesival of Life runs from October 30th through November 2nd every year. If you are lucky enough to be in Mexico during those days, this is a very interactive way to get a taste of Dia De Los Muertos. Be sure to check out the list of events on the events calendar so you don’t miss out.
Celebrate Dia Day Los Muertos, or Hanal Pixan in the Riviera Maya
Dia De Los Muertos evolved from a mix of native traditions and Spanish influence. Christians would celebrate All Saints Day on November 1st, Catholics All Souls Day on November 2nd. These are days of prayer and reverence, to remember that death is just around the corner for anyone. Similarly, Dia De Los Muertos is a celebration of life, not a fear of death, as death comes to everyone. It is also the celebration of when the souls return to this world to visit with their loved ones. November 1st is children’s day, and the 2nd for adults. Pre-Hispanic cultures all over Mexico had a huge respect for death and celebrated it in many different ways. These blended cultures have created the spectacular event that is now our modern day celebration of Dia De Los Muertos in Mexico.
Traditional Dia De Los Muertos Celebrations in Cozumel
Cozumel is an island community in Mexco that is very much Mayan. Although they celebrate both Hanal Pixan and Dia De Los Muertos, the festivities you will find there are the more traditional like the rest of the country. In the zocalo and in the Benito Juarez park, you will find elaborate alters decorated with the traditional marigolds, sugar skulls and butterflies. In fact there is a competition among them for the most elaborate. The Catrina statues are equally as impressive and make for amazing photo ops. The park oftentimes there is live music and different festivities you can participate in. Chankanaab Park also puts on a festival worth checking out. The admission to the park is worth it.
You may find vendors selling the traditional Mayan dish for Hanal Pixan, Mukbil, which is a real authentic treat. If you are looking for a real authentic experience in Mexico, we recommend heading to one of the local cemeteries on the final day of Dia De Los Muertos. Families gather for formal services and final time with their loved ones. It is beautiful to witness, just remember to be respectful as well.
Parade of the Catrinas in Playa Del Carmen
In case you are not familiar with it, the Avenida Quinta in Playa Del Carmen is one long pedestrian walkway full of shops, restaurants, bars, beach clubs and galleries. So it is only natural that Playa Del Carmen would host one of the most fun Parade of Catrinas in the entire Riviera Maya.
Aside from Catrina Parade, like Cozumel, Playa Del Carmen is full of festivities surrounding Dia De Los Muertos. There is live music, dancing performances, poetry contests, vendors selling regional treats and all sorts of fun ways to celebrate the Day of the Dead.
Hanal Pixan: Keeping the Indigenous Mayan Traditions Alive
The Mayans have a very unique vision of our world and have held on to their cultural traditions more than most civilizations that were colonized by Spain. Thus, the Mayans celebrate Hanal Pixan, roughly translated, Food of the Souls. The traditions are very similar to the Day of the Dead is celebrated across the rest of Mexico, with a few variations. Like Dia De Los Muertos, the Mayans construct alters and offer food to their loved ones lost, however the alters and the food is very specific to the Mayan culture.
In Mayan mythology, earth was more of a rectangle with 4 points, and life revolved around that tree. El Pixan, or ‘soul of man”, was that life. El Pixan, or life as we know it, was considered a gift from the Gods. Pixan was the time you had on this earth, or circled around the tree until you traveled down the snake shaped roots to the underworld.
Every year, it is believed that the dead return to visit their loved ones for 8 days. Hanal Pixan celebrations last 3 days of that. The first day of Hanal Pixan is dedicated to children (hanal palal); the second to adults (hanal nucuch uinicoob); and the final day (hanal pixanoob), is dedicated to all the saints.
The alters are unique in that they are rectangular tables to represent the 4 corners of the earth. For ofrendas, instead of placing offerings of the 4 elements, they place 4 gourds. And they also place a green cross to represent the El Ceiba tree. And food offerings differ too. Instead of the favorite snacks of their loved ones, they place 22 different foods, one for each god above and below.
How is it that the earth has 4 corners? To understand that, you would need to understand the basics behind the Mayan mythology. Mayans believe there 13 different heavens that branched out like a tree, and 9 more worlds rooted under the base of that tree. The El Ceiba, or Tree of Life is the basis for much of the Mayan mythology and culture we know today.
The food is unique in that instead of the typical offerings of the deceased person’s favorite snacks and beverages, they prepare a special dish called Muchbipollo, or Mukbil. Originally, Mukbil was prepared in an pit oven called a pib. In fact, Mukbil translates as “buried”. Mukbil is a sort of tamale in a way, wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in a pit buried in the ground. With the popularity of wood fire ovens increasing however, many have Mukbil prepared for them at local bakeries or restaurants that have one. Either way, if you have the opportunity to sample Mukbil, you are in luck.
Celebrating Hanal Pixan in Tres Reyes
Like Xcaret, AllTourNative was a local tour operator in the Riviera Maya that allowed you to experience unique Mexican culture first hand. AllTourNative was always focused on sustainable tourism. They have worked with Mayan communities to create unique experiences for tourists to discover while supporting the local communities. So it is no wonder that they are the ones that brought back the unique Mayan tradition of Hanal Pixan to the world. Unfortunately, AllTourNative ceased its operations this year, but their video is a wonderful glimpse into the experience.
Video: Hanal Pixan in Tres Reyes With AllTourNative
This year, another local provider in Tulum equally devoted to sustainable tourism has taken on the challenge to keep the Hanal Pixan tradition alive, Mexico Kan.
Based out of Tulum, Mexico Kan will pick you up in the Riviera Maya and bring you to Tres Reyes so you can experience Hanal Pixan in an authentic Mayan community. Best of all, Mexico Kan promotes only small groups with a maximum of 10 guests per guide. Participants will be able to see the unique altars the village has constructed for their own family members who have passed on. You will be invited to participate in a ritual ceremony with a Mayan Shaman, visit the ‘Cenote de la Vida”, and even try the tasty Mukbil. And finally, finish the day with a candlelit dinner with food you will not find in any restaurants in Mexico. Talk about an amazing way to immerse yourself in the Mayan culture.
Whether you choose to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos or Hanal Pixan, we hope you connect with your loved ones on this very special celebration in Mexico this year.