The Day of the Dead Activities in Cancun, Mexico

You are probably planning a visit to Cancun in late October or early November; this will give you the unique opportunity to experience one of Mexico's most profound and colorful traditions: the Day of the Dead.

Many believe that Day of the Dead is a Mexican version of Halloween, but they are wrong. It is a celebration with very strong cultural undertones, which at the same time is full of love, memories, and joy for all those who are no longer with us. In Cancun, this celebration is lived with a very different magic, where the Mayan culture is tinged with the unparalleled annual tradition, prepared for the souls of those who are still on this plane.

What is the Day of the Dead (The short story)

The Day of the Dead is a Mexican tradition with pre-Hispanic roots; yes, it is very old compared to what many believe.

Indigenous peoples, such as the Aztecs, Mayas, Purépechas, and Totonacas, were already preparing for these dates to perform rituals dedicated to their ancestors. They all believed that the souls of their departed loved ones returned from the mictlan to the world of the living once a year to visit their families.

We share with you a brief explanation of what the Mictlan is in Mexican mythology:

After the Spanish colonization, this tradition was mixed with the Catholic traditions of All Saints (01 Nov.) and All Souls (02 Nov.). The result was a unique celebration in the world: a day that welcomes, honors, and celebrates the lives of those who are no longer with us.

Celebrating the souls or people who are no longer with us should not be a sad day, but a celebration full of color, flowers, food, music, and happy memories.

When is the Day of the Dead celebrated?

There are two official Days of the Dead celebrations: the first is on November 1st, called All Saints' Day, dedicated to the smallest souls —the children, who are also called “little angels”.

The second date, the following day, November 2nd, is All Souls' Day, which includes all adults.

Although these are the official days, celebrations and decorations in Cancun can be seen throughout October and into early November.

There are even typical festivities and customs everywhere, such as breaking the pan de muerto (which you can find in all supermarkets), if you plan to experience it on your own. This characteristic bread, available only seasonally, is usually paired with a delicious hot chocolate.

How is the Day of the Dead celebrated in Cancun?

In Cancun, the celebration of the Day of the Dead is very different due to the city's Caribbean nature; the atmosphere is distinct, but the flavor and tradition remain the same.

In hotels or tourist areas, you will find altars with a unique Day of the Dead theme; in some public places, such as plazas or parks, you will also see giant sculptures of alebrijes, catrinas, and skulls, among other elements and traditions of this celebration.

also, if you want to know more about this celebration, read this article about Day of the Dead in Mexico

Day of the Dead in Cancun, celebrated by locals

One of the most authentic experiences for locals is to visit a local cemetery (like the one in Supermanzana 96 or downtown Cancun). Families clean and decorate the graves with flowers, candles, and offerings and stay up all night with their loved ones. It is a spectacle of respect and moving beauty.

Something very characteristic of the Day of the Dead is that most families worship their relatives, loved ones and pets who are no longer on this plane, so you will find that most homes are decorated according to this tradition.

Catholic churches also offer masses dedicated to these celebrations.

The Hotel Zone vs. Downtown Celebration

In the Hotel Zone, the celebration is more spectacular and geared toward tourists, with large festivals held in hotels and parks. In the downtown area, the tradition is different; it becomes a more intimate, family-oriented event, very similar to what is experienced across the rest of the country.

It is often confused with Halloween; however, they are not the same, since they are not directed with the same respect and tradition that Mexicans give it.

What does a Day of the Dead altar have?

Cempasúchil: the orange flower that guides the souls with its color and aroma.

Calaveritas de azúcar: small skulls decorated with the name of the deceased.

Pan de Muerto: a sweet and delicious bread, sprinkled with sugar.

Papel picado: with its colorful designs, it represents wind and joy.

Favorite food and drink of the deceased: for the visiting soul to enjoy.

Photos: of the loved ones being honored.

Glass of water: for the coming souls, since the belief is that they arrive thirsty as it is a walk from the afterlife.

Salt: Used for the purification of the souls.

Personal objects or favorite objects: for them to come to the offering and enjoy the ones they left in this plane.

Candles or candles: to illuminate the path of the departed loved ones.

Events and Places to Celebrate Day of the Dead in Cancun

Life and Death Festival at Xcaret

This is, without a doubt, the biggest and most famous event in Cancun during this season. Xcaret Park organizes a beautiful festival with monumental offerings, Mayan ceremonies, concerts with famous Mexican artists such as Natalia Lafourcade, Los Ángeles Azules, Julieta Venegas, Reik, as well as plays, parades and typical Yucatecan food. It is a total immersion in the culture. We recommend booking in advance to avoid overcrowding and to ensure your place. Tickets usually sell out very quickly.

Day of the Dead Parade "Viva la Vida".

Inspired by the Disney movie Coco, Cancun's Hotel Zone hosts a colorful and joyful parade with floats, giant catrinas, comparsas, and music. It is a family event very much in keeping with tradition, ideal for children and adults.

Events in Hotels and Plazas

Many all-inclusive resorts organize their own celebrations with themed dinners, altars, folkloric dance shows, and Catrina face painting workshops. Plazas such as La Isla Shopping Village and Plaza Las Américas also host altar displays and cultural events.

Night of the Dead at Las Palapas Park

In the heart of downtown Cancun, this park is filled with families, community ofrendas, street food stands, and sometimes music and dance performances. It's a local and authentic experience.

Typical Day of the Dead Foods in Cancun and the rest of Quintana Roo

Pan de Muerto: a sweet, spongy bread decorated with “bones” and sugar.

Mucbilpollos or Pibipollos: A large tamale baked underground, filled with chicken, pork, and spices. It is the traditional dish par excellence in Yucatán and Quintana Roo. You can't miss it; it is commonly sold at this time of the year.

Calaveritas de Azúcar o Chocolate: Skull-shaped candies, often with a person's name written on the forehead or only with colorful decoration alluding to papel picado.

Atole or champurrado: hot corn-based drinks, ideal to accompany bread.

Dulce de calabaza: pumpkin cooked with piloncillo and cinnamon. There are several ways to make this type of candy,. Althoughpumpkin is not a Mexican symbol, being a typical fruit of the season, it usually accompanies many oay of the Dead dishes in the form of candy.

Typical Day of the Dead costumes and disguises

The iconic figure of this holiday is La Catrina, created by José Guadalupe Posada, a Mexican engraver. During the Day of the Dead, it is very common to see people, especially women and girls, dressed as Catrina.

The typical look includes:

Elegant or period dress with white makeup and decorations in black and colors around the eyes and mouth. Women typically wear a headdress of cempasúchil flowers in their hair, along with a veil; men, a hat or nothing on their head, but in a typical black costume.

It is also common to see costumes of "alebrijes" (fantastic creatures originally from Mexico, in mythology, that accompany the souls of the Mictlan to this plane with bright colors) and, since the movie became popular, also the characters of the movie Coco. Mexicans are usually very proud of their traditions and cultures, so any similar adaptation was embraced with much love and euphoria.

Getting around the city during the Day of the Dead (It can be difficult, but not impossible).

To get to the different events, the most practical option is to rent a car or use cabs and apps like Uber. If you are staying in the Hotel Zone, many hotels offer transportation to almost anywhere in Cancun. For a more local experience downtown, cabs, and bus routes are your best option.

Take pictures, taste the food, paint your Catrin or Catrina face, and let yourself be carried away by the magic of a tradition that will remind you that, in Mexico, death is only the beginning of a new life in a fantastic place.

We hope you enjoy this unique and unforgettable experience! Tell us if you have already visited Cancun or another Mexican destination during the Day of the Dead celebration. Which one did you like the most?