Oaxaca Day of the Dead Immersion: 3-Day Cultural Experience

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3 days (approximately)
Offered in: English and 1 more

Live Day of the Dead—don’t just watch it.
Begin inside a welcoming Oaxacan home, where you help build a traditional altar and learn the meaning of candles, marigolds, copal, and offerings as stories flow and a homemade dinner is shared. This intimate start opens the door to Oaxaca’s most beloved tradition.

Across three unforgettable days you’ll step into candlelit cemeteries—Panteón General, Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, and Santa María Atzompa—on October 31, when music, flowers, and families fill the night with memory and celebration. On November 1, meet your nahual (protective spirit) by painting your own alebrije with local artisans, a hands-on moment that connects myth to the present.

More than a tour, this is a rare cultural immersion guided by locals who live the tradition. If you’re seeking meaning, beauty, and true connection—not a staged show—this experience was designed for you.

What's Included

Shared transportation
Lunch
Dinner
Includes: Your "Nahual" which is a small (12-15 cm) wooden figure to paint, paint and brushes.
Air-conditioned vehicle
Food and drinks
Gratuities

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

We will start boarding 10 minutes before 5:00 pm, we ask you to be on time. Outside the Ethnobotanical Garden our staff will be there to help you.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 3 days (approximately)
    Day 1

    Día 1 – October 30: Build a Traditional Day of the Dead Altar

    2 stops
  • 1

    Local Market in Oaxaca City. Start the experience by walking through a bustling local market. With the guidance of your host, select marigolds, candles, fruits, and other symbolic items used to decorate a traditional Day of the Dead altar. Enjoy the colors, aromas, and sounds that make Oaxaca’s markets come alive during this season.

    45 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 2

    Arrive at a local family’s home and learn the meaning of each element placed on the altar. Help arrange flowers, candles, incense, and offerings while listening to family stories and traditions. Guests are warmly invited to bring a photo of a loved one who has passed away to include in the altar.

    3 hours • Admission ticket free
    • Day 2

    Día 2 – October 31: Cemeteries Tour

    3 stops
  • 3

    Begin the evening at the historic Panteón General, where ornate mausoleums glow with thousands of candles. Walk among decorated graves while families share music, food, and offerings in honor of their ancestors.

    45 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 4

    Continue to Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, internationally renowned for its Day of the Dead celebrations. Here, experience the vibrant atmosphere of marigold-covered tombs, traditional bands playing, and families welcoming visitors into their sacred traditions.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
  • 5

    End the night in Santa María Atzompa, a more intimate cemetery where local families gather in candlelit remembrance. The quieter setting offers a heartfelt glimpse into the personal side of the Day of the Dead.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
    • Day 3

    Día 3 – November 1: Paint Your Nahual – Protective Animal

    1 stop
  • 6

    Discover the ancient Zapotec belief of the Nahual, a protective spirit animal that connects each person to nature. Guided by local artisans, learn how these figures inspire the world-famous Alebrijes. Then, paint your own wooden Nahual using traditional colors and patterns, creating a one-of-a-kind souvenir to take home. Enjoy stories from the artisans about the cultural meaning of each design.

    2 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by Enjoy Oaxaca

Tags

Multi-day Tours
Bus Tours
Day of the Dead
Cultural Tours
Weddings & Celebrations

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

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