As autumn settles in, it’s time to embrace the season’s most evocative traditions. Among them is Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, the cherished Mexican holiday where families honor lost loved ones. Observed over November’s first two days, the dearly departed are believed to return to the land of the living for one night only.
Stemming from pre-Hispanic Indigenous cultures, particularly the Maya and the Aztecs, the holiday is a flurry of colorful and joyous customs. These include building ofrendas (altars) stocked with photos and the deceased’s favorite foods, sweets and alcohol; decorating with cempasúchils (marigolds) and papel picado (cutout paper banners); making calaveras (sugar skulls) and pan de muerto (sweet bread); dressing up as elegant skeletons (catrins and catrinas); and throwing parades with puppets, music and dancing.
It’s a magical time to visit Mexico, where it is most widely and authentically celebrated. But over the last decade, Americans have become increasingly interested in Dia de los Muertos, thanks in large part to the 2017 Disney film Coco. Thus, stateside fiestas, especially in cities with large Latin populations, are becoming more commonplace as well.
The following 16 hotels across Mexico and America are hosting six-feet-under salutes and soirees worth traveling for.
MEXICO
Mayakoba
The three-day celebration (October 31 through November 2) at Mayakoba, a lush 595-acre compound tucked between mangrove jungles, serpentine waterways and Caribbean shoreline, will be staged across the property’s three resorts — Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Four-Star Fairmont Mayakoba and Five-Star Rosewood Mayakoba.
Cruise lantern-lit canals lined with elaborate ofrendas and interactive art exhibits. Feast on Dia de los Muertos cuisine like suckling pig, xec (citrus and jicama) salad and tres leches cake under a sacred ceiba tree or in various fine-dining settings around the complex. Try your hand at catrina face painting and sugar skull decorating. The After Dead Party will take over the central colonial plaza, El Pueblito, with mariachis, DJs, themed cocktails and artist collaborations.
Grand Velas Resorts
The high-end all-inclusive resort brand will mark the holiday at its three Los Cabos hotels. Accompanied by live music and dancers, a November 2 family-friendly skeleton parade will float from the Four-Star Grand Velas Los Cabos to its sister property Mar del Cabo, where partygoers will find an altar walk and the Dinner of The Souls. Guests can also learn to batch traditional Mexican cocktails in a mixology class at Grand Velas Los Cabos’ Frida restaurant.
If you’re celebrating sans children, book a hot tub suite at the adults-only Four-Star Grand Velas Boutique Hotel and partake in the exclusive (only eight seats) Journey From Mictlán to the Offering. Begin the evening at Bar 51, mixing drinks that highlight Mexican herbs. Continue to a four-course dinner inspired by the country’s landscapes (sea, valley, mountains and jungle) that’s paired with rare Mexican pours (see: wine and tequila served with oysters with achiote butter and marigold petals, wagyu filets with negro sauce and pan de muerto trifles).
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita
Party in paradise at the Five-Star hotel, which once again will throw Catrinas Fest (Halloween through November 2) on the Riviera Nayarit coast. Kick things off with a six-course dinner prepared by Four Seasons’ chefs from around the globe and Casa Dragones tequila pairings. Head to Cuevas Beach on November 1 for a barbacoa ritual, a concert, food stations and flower crown workshops.
Live Aqua San Miguel de Allende
Combining San Miguel’s historic charm, deep-rooted holiday traditions, regional flavors and the Four-Star hotel’s modern flair and impeccable hospitality, the Camino al Mictlán features a four-course dinner co-curated by Ernesto Narváez, the hotel’s executive chef, and Lula Martín del Campo, the respected chef behind Mexico City’s Restaurante de Tierra y Mar, with Reserva de la Familia tequila pairings. The November 1 event will be at the artfully decked-out resort and include a classical quintet and a pre-Hispanic dance performance.
Las Ventanas al Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort
Another fun option on the Baja California Peninsula will be at this Five-Star hotel, a Mexican-meets-Mediterranean escape overlooking the Sea of Cortez. This year’s Day of the Dead festivities will pay tribute to the passion, art and legacy of Mexican painters Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. The iconic couple will inspire the five-course November 1 menu at Alebrije. Dinner will be accompanied by folkloric dancers, mariachis and stilt walkers. Guests are also welcome to add their own touches to the resort’s altar to pay tribute to lost loved ones.
One&Only Mandarina
La Catrina’s Parade will return to the rainforest cliffs and unspoiled coastline of the Four-Star hotel November 1. The colorful procession will begin in the Arrival Pavilion and snake its way through the treehouse property to Salon Papelillo, where traditional altars will be on display. The celebration will then move to Mediterranean-style restaurant Alma, where guests will vote for their favorite Catrina. Executive chef Jonathan Felix also will whip up Dia-specific dishes at Alma on November 2.
La Casa de la Playa
For a vacation that blends cultural education and adults-only boutique luxury on a Riviera Maya beach, take advantage of the Five-Star hotel’s VIP access to the Festival of Life and Death Traditions at Xcaret theme park, October 30 to November 2. The acclaimed annual event spotlights the holiday traditions from the state of Michoacán through altars, artisan workshops, performances and a concert by cumbia superstars Los Ángeles Azules.
Mondrian Mexico City Condesa
Throughout October, this Mexico City property will treat your taste buds in honor of the holiday. Rooms will have artisanal chocolate calaveras. The bar will serve trademark tipples like Corazón Ahumado, made with a smoking technique that represents the copal incense used to help guide spirits home. Plus, the hotel will team up with beloved bakery Xolo Café to carry its unique pan de muerto stuffed with purple sweet potato in The Flower Shop wine bar — take it with you to watch the numerous parades and parties that will delight the bustling capital city.
Acre Resort & Restaurant
Los Cabos’ boho-chic restaurant will carry its commitment to sustainability and organic farming into its celebration. The staff will march around in Catrina and Catrin costumes made out of recycled materials. Read about the outfits and vote on the best one via QR code while savoring a tasting menu done in collaboration with local wood-fired specialists CarbónCabron. Pan de muerto will be featured at brunch and provide flavor inspiration for the milk punch.
UNITED STATES
Thompson San Antonio
San Antonio boasts the largest Dia de los Muertos commemoration in the United States. Opened in 2021 on the River Walk, the Thompson provides the perfect place to watch the seventh annual Day of the Dead River Parade float by on October 24. Continue the fun on October 25 and 26 at Muertos Fest, which has almost 100 altars, bands, a drum and puppet procession, poetry slams, crafts and a marketplace. The Calaverita 5K, a race where participants are encouraged to attach photos of loved ones they’ve lost to their bibs, is a new addition for 2025.
The Inn at Hastings Park
Call it the pot heard round the world. Steps from where the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired 250 years ago, Lexington, Massachusetts’ Inn at Hastings Park will host a Dia de los Muertos-themed tea on October 25. Overseen by the Four-Star property’s general manager Katia Del Rio Gacanovic, who hails from Mexico City, the usual finger foods have been updated to reflect Mexican culinary culture with nibbles like chiles en nogada (stuffed poblano chiles), shrimp al pastor, mini churros and dulce de leche cookies. Sip Jenwey tea, hot chocolate or rosé while the hotel’s altar is unveiled and children decorate cookies and trick-or-treat.
Conrad Orlando
Ceiba, the refined rooftop Mexican restaurant at Conrad Orlando, will join forces with tequila/mezcal brand The Lost Explorer for a spirited shindig on November 1. In addition to tarot readings, live entertainment and a surprise guest bartender, attendees will test a lineup of new cocktails with names like The World and The Moon. The two highest-ranked will be added to the regular menu until December.
