Oaxaca Day Of The Dead
Mitla & Pan De Muertos Experience

Experience the connection of the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca to the Mitla Archaeology Site and the ornately painted ceremonial bread (Pan de Muertos), with a WSE Tour Guide!

Itinerary for the Oaxaca Day of the Dead – Mitla Pan de Muertos Experience

This is a 1-day tour.

Morning Exploration: The City of the Dead “Mitla” – A Journey to the Underworld

Our adventure begins bright and early at 9 AM, as we embark on a cultural journey to the historic archaeological site of Mitla, leaving from a central meeting point in Oaxaca city.

Just 24 miles from Oaxaca City, the Mitla ruins, an integral part of our tour, stand as a bridge between the living and the dead. Originally known as the “place of rest” in Zapotec and the “place of the dead” in Nahuatl, Mitla is a captivating site with a rich history as a religious center and a gateway to the underworld. Its unique architecture, marked by intricate mosaic fretwork, reflects the site’s deep connection to the afterlife. The ruins, once home to the vuijatao, an oracle revered by both Zapotec and Mixtec nobility, offer a blend of indigenous and Spanish influences, with a church built amidst the ancient structures. This fusion of cultures at Mitla provides a poignant backdrop for our tour, as it encapsulates the essence of the Day of the Dead celebrations, connecting participants to the profound traditions and beliefs surrounding life after death.

As you step into Mitla, our expert guides will lead you through its ancient pathways, unraveling the history and architectural marvels of the site. Each stone and structure here is steeped in myths and legends linked to the afterlife. Mitla is renowned for its intricate mosaic fretwork, unrivaled in Mesoamerica, and believed to hold spiritual and ritual significance. This exploration not only showcases the grandeur of this archaeological wonder but also connects you to the ancient beliefs about life after death, central to the Day of the Dead celebrations.

Hands-On Pan de Muertos Workshop at a Local Bakery

After this historical immersion, we’ll transition to a charming local bakery for a hands-on experience like no other. Here, you’ll delve into one of the Day of the Dead’s most iconic traditions – decorating your own ‘Pan de Muerto’. This workshop is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the cultural significance of this traditional bread, often placed on altars dedicated to the departed.

Under the guidance of skilled bakers, you’ll learn about the symbolism and cultural importance of ‘Pan de Muerto’. You’ll have the chance to personalize your bread, adorning it with your personal creative touches, while learning about its role in the Day of the Dead festivities.

Your Takeaway: This unique tour offers a blend of ancient history and culinary tradition, providing a deep connection to the spirit of the Day of the Dead. You’ll leave with not only an enriched understanding of this significant Mexican celebration but also with your own hand-decorated Pan de Muerto, a personal memento of your participation in one of Mexico’s most emblematic practices.

Booking Information:
Spots fill up fast! To book your spot on this picturesque journey, make your reservation on our website today!

Please note: There is no Dress Code! You will be visiting historical sites and local families, so dressing respectfully is appreciated. You don’t need to dress to impress – it is recommended to bring modest, comfortable clothes.

What to bring to the Oaxaca Day Of The Dead Mitla and Pan de Muerto Experience?

Oaxaca generally has hot days and fairly cool nights at this time of year. It is not uncommon to get some rain, as this is the end of the rainy season.
– Jeans or long pants (this is most customary in Mexico, though shorts/dress are fine if you are most comfortable with that).
– Sneakers/comfortable shoes.
– Long sleeves
– Dresses are ok too – many choose to dress in local textiles during this event
– Cash. Should you choose to buy any additional food, drinks, or souvenirs while on tour, most vendors only accept cash (in Mexican Pesos).  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. 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 Mitla and Pan de Muerto Experience?

Your Mitla and Pan de Muerto experience includes:
– information provided before your experience to educate you and properly prepare you
– a specially trained Oaxacan English-speaking host who will facilitate your experience
– transport between Oaxaca City and Mitla Ruins and Bakery (about an hour outside the city)
– entrance fees to the Mitla Archeological site
– the pan de muerto workshop, and your decorated bread to take home
– a meal (traditional local food, such as memelas, tacos, or tlayudas) and a non-alcoholic drink.

What is not included during your Day Of The Dead Experience?

– Travel Insurance (Compulsory)
– International flights
– Transportation (to the meeting point, and back from the endpoint – both inside Oaxaca’s city center)
– Accommodations in Oaxaca
– Alcoholic beverages
– Day of the Dead face-painting
– 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.