This is a three-day, four-night experience of the Mexican Dia de los Muertos celebration in and around Morelia, Michoacán. Since Pre-Hispanic times, the indigenous populations of Central Mexico have venerated the dead through festive commemoration. Before Spanish colonization, this celebration coincided with the last agricultural harvest cycle in August. Tribes offered their dead parts of the harvest of maize, squash and beans as a form of reverence and remembrance. They commingled with the dead in fond memory. They also transformed this ritual into a festivity of food, aromas and endearment.

We will be lodging in Morelia each night, with extensive day trips exploring the festivities and culture of northern Michoacán.

Oct 30 Arrival at hotel in Morelia

We will have a brief evening meetup for dinner and introductions, and to review the plan for the next several days.

DAY 1, Oct 31 Dia de los Muertos in Capula and Morelia

We will meet for breakfast in Morelia and chat, chat, chat, before heading to Capula in the afternoon. A skeleton comes alive in period dress to greet everyone who comes to Capula. It will be wearing a wide-brimmed hat decorated with flowers, lace and a plumed serpent as a shawl. It is the Catrina, the symbol of this small potters’ village on the Don Vasco Route. Capula is most famous for making these amusing emblematic Mexican figures.

In addition to Catrinas, Capula is known for its dotted ceramic work, particularly crockery. On the main street, we will visit several workshops with displays, as well as visit UNEA Michoacán, an enormous collective store with items from all the workshops. During this particular weekend, the Cultural and Craft National Fair of the Catrina will be taking place, which we will also attend. This fair takes place during Dia de los Muertos, and is a festivity in which exhibitions and thousands of clay catrinas invade the streets.

After our afternoon in Capula, we will return to Morelia for a rest. We will then head out in the evening to see the parade, and to have a night out on the town. Don’t over do it tho! The next morning starts off early! There will be numerous installations and altars around town, festivities and celebrations, and a large parade that goes right through the historic center of Morelia.

DAY 2, Nov 1 Pátzcuaro, Jarácuaro, Tzintzuntzan, Quiroga and Janitzio

Today we leave at the crack of dawn for a trip around the entirety of Lake Pátzcuaro. The Perépucha indigenous culture sets the stage for a mesmerizing adventure of colors, smells, sounds and sights. Prepare to experience one of the most colorful days of your year! We will visit Jarácuaro, Quiroga, Tzintzuntzan, Pátzcuaro, and the island of Janitzio.

Each of these stops will offer distinct views into the local celebrations underway for Dia de los Muertos. Of particular interest is a visit to the pre-Columbian ruins in Tzintzuntzan and a boat ride to the Island of Janitzio. Jarácuaro and Quiroga are chock-full of history and nationally-revered cuisine and folklore. In Pátzcuaro, streets are lined with flower vendors who offer piles and piles of mostly Cempasúchil, from the Nahuatl zempoalxóchitl (Mexican Marigold), Terciopelo Rojo (Cockscomb) and Nube (Baby’s Breath). 

DAY 3, Nov 2 Exploring Morelia

Our last day will be exploring the unique beauty of the festivities in the state capital, Morelia. Discover this historic city and all it has to offer  on this festive time of year. You will find parks transformed with meticulously decorated altars the size of a city block. Take time to appreciate the beautifully decorated streets and sidewalks, which don Tapetes de Flores (flower carpets) unlike anything you’ve ever witnessed. We will have time to visit some historical museums, walk the historic center, and spend our last day together eating some local Michoacán cuisine.

Nov 3 Departure
We’ll miss you!

No details found.

Travel  (you just need to arrive and depart from Morelia).
We provide all internal travel in rental van with driver, and we will be present as your guide on the trip.

Lodging Every Night – 1 private hotel room, or a shared hotel room (dependent on how you book). We will be arranging boutique style hotels or airbnb’s dependent on our final group size. Exact locations will vary based on group size and availability. Accommodations will be in nice hotels, 3.5 – 4 star by general US star standards.

Meal 1 per day plus recommendations and access to restaurants and bars for other meals.
If you have dietary regulations or allergies, please let us know in advance so we can do our best to accommodate you. We will provide water waters and light snacks to have on hand as well.

Excludes airfare in and out Morelia.
Excludes ground transportation from your arrival and the meetup location (at the 1st hotel in Morelia).
Please reach out with questions and we’d be happy to answer.