Oaxaca Day Of The Dead Event

Learn about the history of the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, eat traditional food, build an altar to honor our deceased, and visit a cemetery.

Itinerary for the Oaxaca Day of the Dead Event

This is a 1-day event. We will meet at the location provided after you confirm your reservation by selecting the number of people in your group, the preferred date (October 31, November 1, OR November 2), and continuing to complete your reservation in the checkout.

Transport to and from the event is not included (as this is an event, guests will be coming from all over the city/state to attend), so please plan accordingly for traffic and delays in finding a taxi.

As everyone arrives, you will be treated to a special Muertos-themed cocktail (alcoholic & non-alcoholic available) while waiting for the rest to arrive. Some appetizers and finger foods will also be provided. For those who wish to have additional food/drinks, the venue will have a full kitchen and bar (at your own expense).

Once everyone has arrived, we will join together for a deep discussion and presentation about how diverse and profound the traditions surrounding death have been celebrated and honored, dating back to pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. We will explore many of the widely different practices that have existed, explore many of the different practices that still exist in modern-day Mexico, and how colonialism has altered these practices into what you experience today.

During the talk, we will consume traditional food served during the Day of the Dead, drink some mezcal (locally produced agave spirit), and learn about the significance of the altars built around the country honoring the dead, and how these are all interconnected.

Once the talk is over, you will be able to contribute to an altar we will build together, and you are encouraged to bring a small passport-sized photo of a lost loved one you wish to honor during the ceremony (a photo you are willing to part with, as it is traditional to leave the photo on the altar until after Day of the Dead is over).

Following the altar building, we will have some time to mingle in the space, to talk and share stories, perhaps of your lost loved ones (as this is part of the tradition in Mexico, to keep their memories alive), to dance to the sounds of local music, and celebrate life, and how every moment is sacred.

After everyone’s had a chance to mingle, and we have been able to share any memories or moments together, we will march up to the nearby Pantheon (graveyard) – each celebrates on a different night, which is why we change venues depending on the night you reserve. The cemetery will be ornately decorated for Día de Muertos with members of families gathered around each tombstone. There is a vibrance and high energy in the cemetery, as it is a time of celebrating the lives of loved ones. However, it is, of course, a sacred place too, and we will talk about how to be respectful and honor the families there. As we are guests, we do request and expect respectful behavior while visiting the Pantheon.

For many, the parades and the visits to the Pantheon are some of the most memorable, beautiful, and impactful moments they experience from visiting Oaxaca for the Day Of The Dead.

This is a half-day event (mid-afternoon til just after dusk) where you will learn and appreciate the deep cultural connection the people of Mexico share with their deceased. It will be a window into a beautiful tradition in these people’s lives and allow you to connect on a deep level by participating in their activities and connecting to their sacred cultural practices in a respectful and honorable way. The objective is that you can get a bond with the sacred practices honoring the dead, in the ways the locals have bonded with their own lost loved ones for generations.

Please note: There is no Dress Code! You will be visiting a traditional cemetery, so dressing respectfully is appreciated. You don’t need to dress to impress – and costumes can be acceptable, as long as done respectfully (no sexy nurse or soldier outfits please, only traditional Day of the Dead make-up, if you choose to). It is recommended to just bring comfortable clothes, which are modest or tied to the theme of what we will be doing. A more detailed list of suggested clothing attire will be sent in an email following your reservation.

What to bring to the Oaxaca Day Of The Dead event?

Oaxaca at this time of the year generally has hot days and fairly cool nights. It is not uncommon to get some rain as well, as this is the end of the rainy season.
– Jeans or long pants (this is most customary in Mexico, though shorts/dresses are fine if you are most comfortable in that, just be mindful that it will cool down as night falls).
– Sneakers/comfortable shoes.
– Long sleeves
– Dresses are ok too – many choose to dress in local textiles during this event
– Cash. The bar/restaurant our event will be at usually accepts debit or credit cards, should you choose to buy any more food or drinks while there, though there is always the chance of technical difficulties. Also, ensuring you have enough for a taxi back to your hotel, or on to the next party/event after, is always a good idea. There is an international ATM close by (2 blocks away) should you wish to take out cash closer to the venue. Only bring enough cash for what you think you will need, and leave the rest in your hotel room’s safe.

What is included with the Oaxaca Day Of The Dead Event?

Your Day of the Dead Event includes:
– Information provided before the event to educate you and properly prepare you
– a specially trained Oaxacan English-speaking host who will facilitate your experience
– a welcome drink (alcoholic/or non-alcoholic) and finger foods (please drink responsibly, you will be at a local cemetery)
– a sample of mezcal and cacao beans
– supplies for contributing to the Altar we will be building together
– an in-depth talk about the Day of the Dead, its history, and evolution
– special guest speakers for personal perspectives on local traditions and significance

What is not included when on your Day Of The Dead Event?

– Travel Insurance (Compulsory)
– International flights
– Transportation (to the meeting point, and back from the endpoint – all within Oaxaca’s city limits)
– Accommodations in Oaxaca
– Alcoholic beverages (outside of the included mezcal and welcome drink)
– a photo of your deceased loved one (passport size encouraged)
– Day of the Dead face-painting (can be arranged separately)
– Gratuities and tips
– Spending money if you wish to purchase additional drinks or food

Need a place to stay for Day of the Dead in Oaxaca?

To make things easier, we’ve created an interactive map below to help you explore accommodation options in and around Oaxaca City during this sacred and celebrated time. The map is pre-set for the week of Day of the Dead, though you can adjust your travel dates and number of guests to suit your trip. It displays both hotels (from Booking.com, Hotels.com, Agoda, etc.) and short-term home rentals (via VRBO and others), so you can compare availability, location, and reviews at a glance. We’ve also pinned a central point that marks the meeting location for most of our group events — the closer you stay to this marker, the easier it will be to access our experiences and most of the action in Centro Oaxaca.

Please note: accommodation fills up incredibly early for Day of the Dead. Hotels and home-stays often begin selling out as early as February, with prices rising sharply as the dates approach. Booking as far in advance as possible is highly recommended to avoid limited choices or higher rates. If accommodations near the pin are no longer available, you may need to stay further out — which isn’t always a bad thing, especially for a quieter night’s rest.

Please double-check the currency displayed, as it may vary depending on your device settings or the website you’re viewing.

Supporting Local Projects with our TRiP Foundation

For every TRiP that you go on with WSE Travel, we will donate 2% of the total sales price to an environmental or community-based project in the country you’re visiting. We want to ensure that every guest we help, in turn, helps support and preserve the destination we’re experiencing together as a direct result. We live by an ethos to Travel Responsibly & Impact Positively (TRiP).

For more information on the projects supported by this experience, please visit our Mexico TRIP projects.

Cancellation & Rebooking Policy

All tours, services, and experiences booked through WSE Travel are bound to our Terms and Conditions, which were modeled after most other travel services such as flights, hotels, and other tour operators.

At Where Sidewalks End, your reservation is more than a transaction — it’s a direct contract with local professionals who rely on this work as a primary source of income. As such, we are obligated to honor the livelihoods of our local partners — including guides, Ajarns (masters), and drivers — who dedicate their time exclusively to your experience.

In many of the destinations where we operate, labor protections and fair wage commitments are upheld by local laws — and we are both ethically and contractually required to adhere to them. Once a booking is confirmed, the service providers committed to your experience are financially compensated for reserving their time — even in the event of cancellation. This ensures fair and dignified treatment for all involved in delivering your experience.

If You Need to Cancel or Reschedule

All bookings are subject to the following terms:

More than 14 Days’ Notice

Your payment will be placed into a Lifetime Deposit (Safety Deposit Box). This can be:

• Used for a future date
• Transferred to a friend or family member

Refunds are not available unless WSE Travel cancels your booking due to reasons beyond your control.

7–14 Days’ Notice

A 50% rebooking fee will apply. This helps offset the compensation obligations to your dedicated team of local guides and service providers, who have reserved their day exclusively for your private tour and may not be able to secure alternate work with us or others on short notice.

Less than 7 Days’ Notice

The full cost of the tour is retained to pay the locals contracted in full. As this is a private experience, your local team’s time is fully dedicated to your session. A new team will be hired for any future rebooking.

These policies are a compassionate extension of our official Terms & Conditions, designed to support both our guests and the ethical standards of responsible tourism.

Travel Insurance or Liability Waiver Required

Because life can be unpredictable — and because we are required to uphold our commitments to local partners — all guests must either:

• Provide proof of comprehensive travel insurance, or
• Sign a Liability Waiver Form at the start of their trip

We highly recommend SafetyWing Nomad Insurance — trusted by global travelers for its flexible, affordable coverage and very competitive rates.

Travel insurance can help protect you from financial losses related to:

• Illness
• Missed flights
• Emergency cancellations
• Non-refundable bookings

If you choose to travel without Travel Insurance, you will be required to fill out a Liability Waiver Form at the beginning of your trip. 

Thank You for Traveling Responsibly

We deeply appreciate your understanding and support of ethical tourism. Your booking directly sustains local communities and helps preserve cultural traditions in a meaningful and lasting way.

If you have any questions or need help rescheduling, please contact us — we’re always happy to assist.