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Home » Destinations » Mexico » Puerto Escondido » How to Celebrate Day of the Dead in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca

How to Celebrate Day of the Dead in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca

Posted October 4, 2019, Updated October 26, 2020 //  by Michele Peterson 3 Comments

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Marigolds and candles at a cemetery on Day of the Dead in Puerto Escondido, Mexico.

Although Día de los Muertos festivities in Mexican cities such as Oaxaca City and Patzcuaro  deservedly get lots of attention, it’s  possible to take part in authentic ceremonies for Day of the Dead in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca and other beach destinations. 

While the most important dates to keep in mind are November 1st for Día de los Inocentes and November 2nd for Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead preparations begin as early as mid-October.

Note: Day of the Dead public festivities have been cancelled in the state of Oaxaca and many other regions of Mexico due to COVID-19.  

Marigolds and candles at a cemetery on Day of the Dead in Puerto Escondido, Mexico.
Marigolds and candles at a cemetery on Day of the Dead in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. (Credit: Gina Machorro).

Here are some of the main Day of the Dead traditions in Puerto Escondido and suggestions on ways you can participate in this unique and memorable cultural tradition. 

1. Day of the Dead Altars

Although you won’t see Day of the Dead recognized to the same extent in Puerto Escondido as in other places in Mexico, you will  be able to notice many Día de Muertos elements around town.

One of the most colourful sights to see during the weeks leading up to Day of the Dead are baskets of cempasúchil flowers also known as the Mexican marigold or Aztec marigold or flor de muertos (flower of the dead). 

These brilliant orange flowers are an important component of the altars known as ofrendas built in private homes and cemeteries.

Much like in other beach destinations such as Cancun and Riviera Maya, many of the hotels, BnB’s and apartments in Puerto Escondido will create altars in their lobby or on an outdoor terrace.

A home altar decorated for Day of the Dead
A home altar decorated for Day of the Dead
 

Decorated with marigolds, food, candles, skulls, photos of the deceased and other symbolic elements, these altars are constructed to help guide and welcome the spirits of departed loved ones back to the realm of the living on the noche de muertos or night of November 2nd.

Check out the Top 10 Amazing Traditions in Mexico on Day of the Dead to learn more about how to decorate a home altar and the symbolism behind elements such as flowers,  food offerings, candles and construction of the altars.

2. Shop for Sugar Skulls and Day of the Dead Food

If you’re planning to build your own altar or contribute to one at a friend’s home, you can shop for calaveras, the popular sugar skull candies made of marzipan and decorated in bright colours.

The best place to find Day of the Dead sugar skulls is in the  Benito Juarez or Zicatela markets as well as in the shops and stalls in the streets surrounding Benito Juarez market.

Pan de muerto on a table in Mexico. Credit Andaz Mayakoba
Pan de Muerto or Day of the Dead bread is an important element of Day of the Dead in Mexico.

Beginning in mid to late October, you can find pan de muerto, an anise-scented sweet Day of the Dead bread available for sale in stands set up in and around Mercado Benito Juárez and Parque Idilio. 

Staying home? Plan your own Day of the Dead celebration with our special collection of 25 Day of the Dead Food and Drink Recipes. 

As the dates of November 1st and 2nd approach, you’ll also see this popular Day of the Dead bread available in supermarkets and from the back of pick-up trucks.

Enjoy your Pan de Muerto with a steaming mug of hot Oaxacan chocolate,  pulque (a fermented agave drink) or atole ( a thick warm beverage made of maize).

Sugar candies for Day of the Dead
Sugar candies for Day of the Dead in Oaxaca

Other popular foods for Day of the Dead include pozole a pork and hominy stew that comes in regional variations of green, red and white.

One of the most popular restaurants in Puerto Escondido for pozole is Las Cazuelas on Calle Hidalgo.

3. Decorate with Papel Picado paper banners 

You’ll often see papel picado (pierced paper banners created by cutting out decorative patterns of birds, flowers and geometric shapes) blowing in the breeze above the streets of Puerto Escondido.

Papel picado on the Adoquin Day of the Dead in Puerto Escondido Oaxaca
Papel picado on the Adoquin in Puerto Escondido

This papel picado (most often made of plastic rather than paper) is regularly displayed within the pedestrian zone and night market on the Adoquin in Puerto Escondido.

But you’ll see even more papel picado draped in shops and over food stalls around Day of the Dead.

4. Day of the Dead Nightclub Partying (Cancelled)

A modern way to celebrate Día de los Muertos is by hitting one of the nightclubs or beach clubs for a themed Day of the Dead party of music, food and dance. 

To really get in the spirit, apply some skull face paint and dress like La Catrina, the iconic skeleton in a hat, created by artist José Guadalupe Posada in the early 1900s. 

Costumed catrinas in Morelia, Michoacan
Costumed catrinas in Morelia, Michoacan

Most of the most popular nightclubs for themed events and parties any time of the year are located around Zicatela Beach.  Live music, DJs, dance parties, VIP events, Ladies Nights, you’ll find it all in Puerto Escondido.

Top spots to celebrate Day of the Dead in Puerto Escondido include restaurants and clubs such as Casa Babylon, Barfly, Sativa Terraza, and Kabbalah and Foro Atemoztli in Puerto’s party zone  (cancelled for 2020).

Check their respective Facebook pages for the most up to date information on events and hours. 

5. Take a PRIVATE TOUR on Day of the Dead in Puerto Escondido

If you’re in Puerto Escondido, it’s worthwhile to join culture-guru Gina Machorro on her PRIVATE  guided Day of the Dead Tour.

Available for a maximum of four people this walking tour also features ceremonies to remember the lives of Puerto Escondido residents who have passed away.

Marigolds and candles at a cemetery on Day of the Dead in Puerto Escondido, Mexico.
Marigolds and candles at a cemetery on Day of the Dead in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. (Credit: Gina Machorro).

During the walking tour, Gina will explain the history and origins of Dia de Los Muertos.

She’ll also talk about the symbolism of flowers such as marigolds and important annual rituals such as cleaning the gravestones to welcome the return of the spirits of the departed. 

Confirm Pricing and Schedule due to COVID-19. Masks required.  

Cost for the Day of the Dead Tour in Puerto Escondido: TBA

Dates: Two dates 

How to Make a Reservation: Make a reservation in advance at the Tourist booth on the Adoquin.

Note: Wear comfortable shoes, bring water, masks and cash to purchase cempasuchil flowers and candles in the market. You’ll enjoy tamales, bread and chocolate during the tour.

That’s not the end of our travel tips and things to do in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico! Read our Puerto Escondido Travel Guide for more information on hotels, things to do, day trips and more in Puerto Escondido.

Or learn about the Giant Kite Festival for Day of the Dead  in Guatemala. 

Like this Post? You Might Also Enjoy:

Swimming in Puerto Escondido’s Bioluminescent Lagoon

9 Tips for a Perfect Romantic Getaway in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca City

Day Trip to Untouched Mexico

Food and Drink to Try in Puerto Escondido

Category: Puerto Escondido

About Michele Peterson

Dividing her time between Canada, Guatemala and Mexico (or the nearest tropical beach), Michele Peterson is the founder of A Taste for Travel. Her award-winning travel and food writing has appeared in Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Source, National Geographic Traveler, Fodor’s and 100+ other publications.

Previous Post: «Mexican Day of the Dead foods collage. 25 Easy Day of the Dead Recipes
Next Post: How to Party at the Fiestas de Noviembre in Puerto Escondido Folkloric dancers, Playa Manzanillo Oaxaca»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sherel Purcell

    October 29, 2014 at 4:09 pm

    So pretty! And what a deal!

    Reply
  2. Lesley Peterson

    October 29, 2014 at 4:27 pm

    The tour sounds wonderful–wish I could be there! There is real artistry in those sugar skeleton boaters as well as the marigold-decked altar.

    Reply
  3. esperanza

    October 29, 2014 at 6:39 pm

    so touching to see the memorial with beautiful flowers to honour a loved one and the tour which does the same

    Reply

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About A Taste for Travel

Dividing her time between Canada, Guatemala and Mexico, publisher Michele Peterson’s award-winning work has appeared in Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Source , National Geographic Traveler, Fodor’s and  100+ other publications. 

At A Taste for Travel — along with a team of expert travel writers and photographers — she  helps readers plan vacations and make delicious global recipes at home. 

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