Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is one of Mexico’s most vibrant and culturally rich celebrations, and there’s no better place to experience it than Oaxaca de Juárez. Known for its deep traditions, artistic flair, and welcoming atmosphere, Oaxaca offers a truly immersive experience during this festival. Here’s a guide to planning the ultimate group trip to Oaxaca de Juárez for Día de los Muertos.
Why Oaxaca de Juárez?
Oaxaca is renowned for its elaborate Día de los Muertos celebrations, blending indigenous traditions with Spanish influences. The city comes alive with colorful altars, lively parades, traditional music, and delicious food. From the bustling streets filled with marigolds to the serene cemeteries where families honor their ancestors, Oaxaca offers an authentic and deeply moving experience.
When to Go
Día de los Muertos is celebrated from October 31 to November 2, but the festivities in Oaxaca begin as early as late October. For the best experience, plan to arrive by October 29 and stay through November 3. This will give your group time to explore the city, participate in the preparations, and fully immerse in the celebrations. For me, I thought October 31st and Nov 1st were the most lively while November 2nd was a little more quiet and somber. Your experience may vary.
Where to Stay
For a group trip, consider renting a large house or villa to keep everyone together. The neighborhoods of Jalatlaco and Xochimilco offer charming accommodations close to the action but slightly away from the busiest areas. It is crucial to book early. Like, as early as possible. Most good accommodations will be booked up a few months in advance. If you’re reading this and are thinking of going this year you should get crackin’ ASAP and try to lock something down. If free cancellation is available, consider booking a house and inviting your friends to confirm the trip’s viability.
Once you book, you should input the details into a travel app like AvoSquado so that everyone in your group can easily see the accommodation as well as know the address, access information, wi-fi info, etc without needing to bother you for that. Feel free to get in touch with us if you want some free recommendations on properties to book in Oaxaca de Juarez.
Key Events and Activities
There is a lot to do in Oaxaca, especially during Dia. When I was there with about 12 people we often would split up into different groups to explore as not everyone wants to do everything at once. Using a planner like AvoSquado makes it easy for everyone to be back on time for scheduled activity without blowing up the group text.
- Callejoneadas (Street Parades): Join the traditional parades that wind through the streets with music, dancing, and mezcal toasts. These events are a must-see and happen almost every night leading up to Día de los Muertos. These parades often coincide with your plans to get somewhere else, so expect the streets to be packed. It’s exciting hearing them roll through with more frequency as the days get closer to the celebration.
- Cemetery Visits: Visit the Panteón General and the cemeteries in nearby villages like Xoxocotlán. Families decorate graves with candles, flowers, and offerings, creating a mesmerizing and respectful atmosphere.
- Street Party in Etla: If possible, try to get to the suburb of San Agustin Etla on Nov 1st. Our shuttle driver was reluctant to take us there, as the roads were blocked, and it took some negotiating to get us in. I went down there with my group of 12 and it was truly different. A roguish atmosphere permeated here, a little different than that of opulent pueblo of Oaxaca de Juarez. Different groups of people parade down the streets, almost competing to show off their outfits. Crazy outfits adorned with ‘mirror chainmail’ dazzle you as someone clears the street for the paraders with a crack of a long leather whip. Eventually, we ended up in a little plaza where you can buy delicious ‘consomme’ from an abuelita for $0.50 while people dance until the sun comes up to brass bands of nearly 15 people who play non-stop on the public stage. The local people are bashful at first but show a little gregariousness and you’ll be getting homemade mezcal offered to you in no time.
Other Activities
- Art and Workshops: Oaxaca is famous for its arts and crafts. Take a workshop in papel picado (cut paper decorations), sugar skull painting, or alebrijes (colorful folk art sculptures) to bring home a piece of the celebration.
- Cooking Class: Oaxaca is not only famous worldwide, but famous in Mexico itself for its unique and indigenous inspired foods. Some of my group went to a cooking class on a family farm and it was truly the best and most memorable cooking class I have ever had. I made a green mole the traditional way on an ancient stone board. Did you know there’s over 14 types of mole? Most of us just know black or ‘chocolate’ mole. I big time recommend this type of activity for a group, and soon you’ll be able to book it on AvoSquado. In the meantime if you send us an email, I’ll happily book it for you.
- 20 de Noviembre food market: Not only does Oaxaca have a public market (where I scored an amazing ranch hat I wear all the time), but they have a huge food market. Like, food stall galore. And it’s dirt cheap and located across from the big public market. It’s an overwhelming but awesome experience as a group, with a couple people, or by yourself. I actually recommend trying it all three ways! I think I went there at least three times and didn’t really scratch the surface. Try to sit down at a place that has some locals already eating there. Be adventurous and see what other people are ordering and give that a try if it looks appetizing. I definitely had a lot of mole, and a lot of tlayudas AKA ‘Oaxacan pizza’.
5. What to Eat
Oaxacan cuisine is a highlight of any visit, and during Día de los Muertos, you’ll find special foods associated with the holiday. The bakeries especially hit home:
- Pan de Muerto: A sweet bread often decorated with bone-shaped designs and sprinkled with sugar.
- Mole Negro: This rich, dark mole is a staple of Oaxacan cuisine and a must-try during your visit.
- Tlayudas: Often called ‘Oaxacan Pizza,’ these are a beloved dish made with a flame-roasted tortilla loaded with meat, lettuce, Oaxaca string cheese, and more. See the picture attached below.
- Tamales: Enjoy a variety of tamales, including those filled with mole, chicken, or pork.
- Mezcal: Oaxaca is the heart of mezcal production. Be sure to visit a local mezcalería to sample and learn about this traditional spirit. I went on a private tour with my group to a few mezcalerías, and they even took us to see some lesser-known Zapotec ruins, which was incredible and way less crowded than Monte Alban. You’ll be able to book that on the app soon, but I enjoyed it so much you can just shoot us an email and we’ll book it for you.
6. Tips for a Smooth Trip
- Use a planning app: We’re biased here, but something like AvoSquado is great for coordinating who’s going, and where people need to be. It’s a lot less chaotic than a group text and prettier than excel.
- Plan Ahead: Oaxaca is a popular destination for Día de los Muertos, so book accommodations, tours, and restaurants well in advance.
- Respect the Traditions: Remember that Día de los Muertos is a time for honoring the deceased. Be respectful when visiting cemeteries and participating in local customs.
- Travel with Ease: Arrange group transportation for excursions to nearby villages like Mitla, San Agustin Etla, or Monte Albán, where you can explore ancient ruins and more traditional celebrations. Soon you’ll be able to book this yourself in the app, but for now you can just send us an email and we can add it straight to your trip in AvoSquado
7. Extending Your Stay
If your group has time, consider extending your trip to explore more of Oaxaca’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Visit the petrified waterfalls at Hierve el Agua, tour the archaeological site of Monte Albán, or take a day trip to the nearby artisan villages.
A group trip to Oaxaca de Juárez for Día de los Muertos is more than just a vacation; it’s a cultural journey that connects you to Mexico’s rich heritage and traditions. With this guide, you can ensure your group enjoys an unforgettable experience filled with meaning, celebration, and togetherness.
