With Aztec Explorers we prepared 12 unique experiences before, during and after the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico. These experiences, day trips, events and walking tours take place in Mexico City or start from Mexico City.
Our 12 experiences in 2023:
See all details below of all our events, day trips and experiences.
You can find our contact details at the end of this blog.
Note: all trips and experiences are also possible as private trip and if possible, on alternative dates.
Day of the Dead experience in Mexico City with boat trip
Join us on our day of the dead experience, far away from the crowds and in nature. We will explore the Southern part of Mexico City; a beautiful rural area near Xochimilco. Where we take a boat trip on a traditional Trajinera, visiting a beautiful Chinampa, an island created in prehispanic times.
During the boat trip our certified bilingual Mexican guide will explain about the origin and meaning of Día de Muertos, the most beautiful of all Mexican traditions. Plus we can enjoy the traditional Pan de Muertos and a traditional chocolate aboard.
On arriving at the Chinampa (island made in prehispanic times), we will visit a beautiful field of Cempasúchil flowers (Marigold; flowers might have been cut after October 28th) and learn why this flower is so important for Day of the Dead.
We will then make a beautiful traditional altar / offering together and explain the significance of the different parts of the altar. Then we will take you on a virtual trip to Mictlan, the afterworld of the Aztec mythology, explaining the 9 levels that a deceased person would have to pass to reach Mictlan, the afterworld of the Aztecs.
Let’s learn all about Día de Muertos and experience Day of the Dead the Aztec way. Far away from the crowds and in nature, with a small group. Price 1250 pesos; includes transport, trajinera boat ride, hot chocolate, pan de muerto (bread of the dead), certified guide and the day of the dead experiences mentioned above.
Available dates, from 10.00 to 16.00 hrs: October 22, 28, 30 and November 3 and 5.
Day Trip Mixquic and Tlahuac in Mexico City
Let´s explore Mixquic and Tlahuac together !
Mixquic, one of the 21 Barrios Magicos of Mexico City, is most famous for its Day of the Dead ceremonies, when the entire cemetery is lit up with candles, decorated with flowers and when the locals are receiving the souls of their deceased loved ones in the night of the ‘Alumbrada’ on the 2nd of November.
But all year round a visit to Mixquic is a magical experience, were we can visit its beautiful monastery, with its amazing rose garden and archeological pieces, surrounded by its large cemetery. Plus in the town itself we can stroll through its narrow streets, while we can enjoy the beautiful murals, many of them related to Día de Muertos, have a look at the nearby channels and chinampas, similar to Xochimilco, and try the local gastronomy. From September 29th the cemetery is decorated already with flowers.
The nearby town of Tlahuac is also always a beautiful visit, with another amazing Monastery, a colorful market, more channels and chinampas and a very interesting local regional museum with amongst others 3 beautiful prehispanic ovens in the form of masks (visit depends if open or not, irregular opening times).
Both towns are still within the Mexico City limits, around 2 to 2.5 hours South of the historical city center of Mexico City, depending on traffic.
Our next trips exploring Mixquic and Tlahuac are on September 30, October 21 and 29 and November 4 (950 pesos, from 8.30 to 18.00; on these dates there are few people around, so great to explore !). On November 2 is the famous Alumbrada, 950 pesos, from 12.00 to 22.30; on this day it will be very crowded + we will skip Tlahuac). Includes round transport for our small group and guided visits by certified bilingual guide.
Walking Tour Mercado de Jamaica, Mexico City
Let´s explore the Mercado de Jamaica, with beautiful Day of the Dead decorations and the beautiful cempasuchil flowers that are used for decorating the altars and cemetaries.
Mercado the Jamaica is one of the most traditional, folkloric and authentic markets in Mexico City, near of the heart of the city. Where we can enjoy the traditional food and ingredients that the Mexican families use for the preparation of their dishes and the decoration of their houses.
We will visit the different areas and the diferent products, like fruits, vegetables, flowers and plants. And and the same time, we can taste some local products, such as elotes, esquites, pan de muerto and huaraches in a fun and safe way (optional, not included; you pay what you consume). We will learn about the history, traditions and the most famous places of this unique market.
Price 250 mexican pesos per person. Available dates October 20 and 27.
From 10.00 to 13.00 hrs. Meeting up near the market; transport and tastings not included. Market and food tour of 2.5 to 3 hours. In English and / or Spanish.
Trip Cempachucil / Marigold flower market and Chinampas in Xochimilco
Let´s explore a traditional Cempasúchil / Marigold flower market and beautiful Chinampas (islands created in prehispanic times), with more Cempasúchil flowers, in the outskirts of Xochimilco, the 3rd largest of the 16 boroughs of Mexico City. This beautiful flower is used for most Day of the Dead decorations in altars and in cemeteries. Note: this is NOT near the ports of the boat trips by trajinera in Xochimilco; an amazing, off the beaten track place !
First we will have a beautiful guided walk of around 1.5 hours through beautiful Chinampas and Channels, where the Cempasúchil / Marigold flowers are grown. We will explain about the significance of this flower in relation to Día de Muertos and we will explain about the different types, plus we will explain about the Chinampas and Channels, that were created in prehispanic times. The walk takes us along agricultural fields, bridges and the bright colors of the flowers are all around us. In Nahuatl, the name is sempôwalxôchitl, were sempôwal means 20 and xôchitl means flower. So the meaning is ´flower of the twenty petals´.
And afterwards we will visit a traditional flower market and nearby plant nurseries, with more Cempasúchil flowers and more amazing foto oportunities. Plus optionally we can try delicious local food in one of the many traditional food stalls.
The Chinampas and Flower market are still within the Mexico City limits, in the outskirts of Xochimilco, around 1.5 hours South of the historical city center of Mexico City, depending on traffic.
Our next trip exploring the traditional Cempasúchil / Marigold flower market and beautiful Chinampas in Mexico City is on October 21. The price is 650 pesos and includes round transport for our small group and guided walks by certified bilingual guide. From 8.00 to 15.00 hrs.
DAY TOUR Day of the Dead Patzcuaro / Tzintzuntzan / Janitzio from Mexico City
Don’t miss our DAY trips to Isla Janitzio, Patzcuaro and cemetery of Tzintzuntzan in the State of Michoacan, departing from Mexico City.
Most hotels and B&Bs are booked up, but on this unique DAY TRIP, from 06.00 to 23.45 hrs; you can still be part of the magic! Small groups, guided walks by certified bilingual guides; 1450 mxn per person. Next date: November 1, 2023.
One of the most traditional and impressive way to celebrate the Day of the Dead in Mexico !!
Day trip to Feria de Alfeñique in Toluca City and Metepec town / sugar art festival
Let´s visit the Feria de Alfeñique (sugar art festival) in Toluca City and the beautiful town of Metepec (Pueblo Mágico), in the State of Mexico, departing from Mexico City.
Visiting the traditional handicraft market in Metepec and the Festivals of Alfeñique (Sugar Art Festival, with many Day of the Dead products). In Toluca we also visit the Botanical Garden with Glass in Lead windows (Cosmovitral, if open, price not included).
The price is 950 Mexican Pesos and includes private transport for our group, experienced driver and explanations in Spanish and English.
Available dates: October 21 and October 29. From 7.30 to 19.00 hrs.
Trip to San Angel and Del Carmen Convent in Mexico City
Let´s explore the beautiful neighborhood of San Angel, one of the 21 Barrios Magicos in Mexico City, in the preparation of the Day of the Dead celebrations, with beautiful alters and decorations at several outdoor and indoor spaces.
San Angel, located 12km (7.4 miles) southwest of the historic center, was once a retreat for wealthy city residents. Cobblestone streets, plazas, gardens and elegant estates are reminiscent of the neighborhood’s rich colonial past. San Angel is home to monuments, historic residences, a former Dominican monastery and several interesting museums and beautiful churches.
Among them are the Risco House Museum (Plaza San Jacinto 15) with its impressive 18th century talavera tile fountain. The El Carmen complex is the identifying marker of San Ángel, especially the three tiled-covered domes of the church. It consists of church, former monastery and school buildings. The monastery school or “Colegio” was founded in 1613. There are several colorful markets, art galleries and shops scattered throughout the neighborhood.
The price is 650 pesos and includes transport, guided walks by certified bilingual guide an entrance to the Del Carmen monastery. Available dates October 31 and November 4 and 5. From 10.00 to 16.00 hrs.
Day trip Taxco and Cuernavaca from Mexico City
Let´s explore the town of Taxco (one of the 177 Pueblos Mágicos of Mexico) and the city of Cuernavaca during the Day of the Dead celebrations, both with beautiful altars and decorations.
The first sight of Taxco’s white buildings scattered across the steep valley as you approach it is enough to take your breath away. Surrounded by dramatic mountains and cliffs, its perfectly preserved colonial architecture and the twin belfries of its baroque masterpiece, Templo de Santa Prisca, make for one of the most amazing views anywhere in the central highlands. Taxco is around 3 hours from Mexico City.
Cuernavaca is known as the city of the eternal spring; and this title is well justified, because of its warm weather most that you can enjoy almost all the year. When you visit Cuernavaca, you can’t miss the Borda gardens, the Cathedral and the former convent of La Asuncion and the Palacio de Cortes. Cuernavaca is around 1.5 hours from Mexico City.
The price is 950 pesos and includes transport and guided walks in Taxco and Cuernavaca by certified bilingual guide. Available date: October 28. From 07.00 to 19.00 hrs.
Guided walking tour in the historic city center of Mexico City and visiting different altars
Let´s explore the historical city center of Mexico City together on a guided walking tour during the Day of the Dead celebrations, with beautiful altars and decorations at both indoor as outdoor places in the historical city center.
The price is 250 pesos and includes a guided walking tour of 3 hours by certified bilingual guide. Does not include transport. Available dates: October 29 and November 2. Available times: 10.00 to 13.00 / 14.00 to 17.00 / 18.00 to 21.00.
Day trip to the pueblos mágicos Atlixco and Cholula from Mexico City
Let´s explore the beautiful towns of Atlixco and Cholula (both part of the 177 Pueblos Mágicos of Mexico) during the Day of the Dead celebrations, both with beautiful altars and decorations.
The price is 950 pesos and includes transport and guided walks in Atlixco and Cholula by certified bilingual guide. Available dates: October 22 and November 4. The towns are around 1.5 to 2 hours driving from Mexico City. From 7.00 to 19.00 hrs.
Day trip Coyoacan, San Angel and lesser known cemetery in Mexico City
Let´s explore Coyoacan and San Angel, both part of the 21 Barrios Magicos of Mexico city during the Day of the Dead celebrations, with beautiful altars and decorations at both indoor as outdoor places. Afterwards we will visit an impressive, lesser know graveyard South East of Mexico City, to experience Día de Muertos the Mexican way.
The price is 950 pesos and includes a transport and guided walks by certified bilingual guide. Available date: November 1, from 9.00 to 18.00.
Day of the Dead experience in lesser known graveyard of Mexico City – Guided walk
Let´s visit an impressive, lesser know graveyard in the South East of Mexico City, to experience Día de Muertos the Mexican way (this is not Mixquic).
How can you not be touched by families sitting around the tombs of their loved ones, sharing their favorite meals, drinks and stories and even invite you to be part of it? How can you not be touched by an elderly man showing you proudly pictures of his deceased family members, friends and even his dog, that he still misses every day? How can you not cry when a woman is talking about her father who died only 4 months ago of cancer and his beautiful death in company of all his loved ones? How can you not get scared to death by fireworks exploding almost under your feet and by 2 horror clowns jumping towards you from behind a tomb and how can you not burst out in laughter as a result of this? ¡¡¡This is México cabrones !!! The land of 400 emotions in 1 minute.
The price is 650 pesos and includes a transport and guided walk by certified bilingual guide. Available date: November 1, from 16.00 to 22.00.
OUR CONTACT DETAILS – Azteca Travel Tours Art / Aztec Explorers
Please reserve your trip or experience ASAP, so we can arrange the correct transport and guide. Our day of the dead trip normally fill up quickly. For reservations and payment information please contact us by whatsapp 52 1 55 1308 3732 (Lidia Herrera). Whatsapp: https://wa.me/525513083732 .
Payment 100% in advance.
ABOUT US AND MORE CONTACT INFORMATION
Website: https://aztecatraveltoursart.site123.me/
Travel Blogs: https://aztecexplorers.com/
Facebook page: Aztec Explorers
MORE ON DAY OF THE DEAD / DIA DE MUERTOS
A beautiful blog of our friend Lauren on Day of the Dead, who joined us to Patzcuaro, Janitzio and Tzintzuntzan in 2016: Let me die like a Mexican
Our blog with more information about the most beautiful of Mexican traditions:
Meaning and Origin
Join us on our Facebook group Day of the Dead / Día de Muertos
DAY OF THE DEAD PARADES IN MEXICO CITY
Note: exact dates and times to be confirmed !!!
So far there are 3 parades confirmed in Mexico City before Día de Muertos / Day of the Dead (the main, traditional dates are Tuesday 1st of November and Wednesday 2nd of November):
Saturday 21st of October – Parade of the Alebrijes (brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures). Note: date and time to be confirmed.
Sunday 22nd of October – Parade of Catrinas. Note: date and time to be confirmed.
Saturday 28th of October – Day of the Dead Parade. Note: date and time to be confirmed.