Day of the Dead Parades and Preparation Group Trip to Mexico City - October, 2022
Mexico City: Day of the Dead Parades & Preparation - October, 2022
October 21 - 26, 2022
Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday dating back to Aztec times, during which families remember and honor those who have passed away. Far from a day of mourning, Day of the Dead is a festive holiday celebrating the lives of deceased loved ones and Mexico City is the perfect place to celebrate.
What most travelers don’t know is that most Day of the Dead parades, festival preparations, and altar building traditions take place before the official holiday. Anyone wishing to observe the stunning Day of the Dead parades and actively participate alongside families as they prepare for the celebration should join this tour! Those looking for a non-touristy Day of the Dead trip that takes place during the main holiday should check out my Day of the Dead Festival & Folklore group tour.
Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City
Dia de los Muertos in Mexico City
Join this unforgettable trip to one of the most colorful (and delicious!) countries in the world. This small group tour will connect you with Mexican culture and tradition through extraordinary people and life-changing experiences that you won’t find in any guidebook. This authentic, small group tour is packed full of Day of the Dead activities, along with bike rides through diverse and interesting neighborhoods; traditional food tasting tours; visits to flower, food, and witchcraft markets; trips to pre-Aztec pyramids; group trips to the parades, and the opportunity to participate in a Dia de los Muertos ofrenda altar building celebration.
EscapingNY small group tours are fast-paced, action packed, and geared at curious travelers that enjoy non-traditional, off-the-beaten-path, local travel experiences. They are perfect for travelers who avoid run-of-the-mill big bus tours or who prefer traveling alone, and who want to see and do a bit of everything.
This is a group tour for people who don’t do group tours.
Testimonials
“This was literally the best trip of my life.”
“In a week of amazing adventures and cultural exchanges, the Day of the Dead altar building experience stood out as the highlight of my trip. A local journalist welcomed us into her home and led a hands-on evening of preparing traditional pre-Hispanic foods and showing us how Mexican families prepare an altar to honor their ancestors. After an amazing feast, she performed a purification ceremony on those of us who had honored lost relatives. I’m so thankful to EscapingNY for providing our group with the chance to get to know the family and for an authentic glimpse into the culture and traditions of Mexico City.”
“Being able to explore everything from a different perspective has been incredible.”
“The Day of the Dead tour was a really unique and unforgettable experience. Our group wanted to do as many things as possible and EscapingNY was able to accommodate our on-the-ground requests. It didn’t feel like a typical tour at all. Instead, it felt like traveling with a friend whose in-depth local knowledge allowed for a much richer and more engaging way to experience the country.”
“It was the trip of a lifetime with amazing food, people and places. The perfect tour for people who hate tours and want to have an authentic experience.”
Help build a traditional Day of the Dead altar
Eat street food that WON’T make you sick
Enjoy delicious meals with new friends
Friday, October 21st
Arrive, get settled.
Neighborhood orientation and walking tour (should you arrive early, check out some of the city’s fabulous museums!)
Welcome dinner
Saturday, October 22nd
Morning visit to a traditional food and spice market in a non-touristy part of the city to learn about local foods, herbs, spices, and hard-to-find medicinals. You’ll also hear about which foods and flowers Mexicans use and how they incorporate them leading up to and during Day of the Dead. The tour will be led by a local chef and food blogger and will include lots of eating!
Evening ofrenda Day of the Dead altar building activity. Join a family inside their home to prepare a traditional Day of the Dead altar. You’ll get to help build the altar and learn about (and sample!) classic Mexican dishes that are prepared during Day of the Dead and placed on the altar. You are welcome to bring photos of deceased family members to place on the altar.
Help to build a Day of the Dead altar.
Get your face painted for Day of the Dead!
Attend Day of the Dead parades
Sunday, October 23rd
History, culture, and street art bike ride through closed-streets and through Chapultapec Park, the downtown Zocalo, and various neighborhoods and important sites and street art murals. The trip will be a 9-mile, relaxed-pace ride along flat streets, making frequent stops at each site (including a lunch stop). You don’t need to be a hardcore cyclists but you should be comfortable riding a bike.
Afternoon free to observe the famous Day of the Dead parade. We’ll head to the parade together but anyone wishing to have free time can do their own thing.
Mexico City market tour
Food & drink tasting tour
Enjoy the best Mexican cuisine
Monday, October 24th
Day trip to Teotihuacan to bike around the Sun and Moon Pyramids, pre-Aztec ruins, and the third largest pyramid in the world!
We’ll enjoy a leisurely 8-mile bike ride along smooth, flat roads to explore lesser-known ruins and ancient paintings in the area.
Lunch included at a local restaurant in Teotihuacan.
Mexico City Bike Tour
The top of the Moon pyramid
Top of the Sun Pyramid in Teotihuacan
Tuesday, October 25th
Morning visit to Frida Kahlo’s home and museum.
Lunch included at Coyoacan’s famous food hall for the best quesadillas in the world!
Afternoon visit to Diego Rivera’s museum carved into volcanic stone and decorated with elaborate altars.
Evening free to relax, shop, and pack for your departing flight.
Farewell dinner
Wednesday, October 26th
Fly home or arrange to stay additional days
Testimonials from previous EscapingNY Day of the Dead tours
Day of the Dead Mexico City testimonial
Mexico City Day of the Dead tour participant
EscapingNY Day of the Dead tour participants
Day of the Dead tour testimonial from Teotihuacan pyramids
Price per person*:
For this trip, only personal checks, direct bank transfers, and Zelle will be accepted.
$1499 per person if booked by December 1st, 2021
$1699 per person if booked by April 1st, 2022
$1899 per person if booked by June 1st, 2022
*These prices are based on double-occupancy. If you wish to have your own room, please add $499. In the past, guests have enjoyed inviting friends and family to share a room, though I will try to pair up interested singles looking for a roommate.
A 50% deposit is required by the indicated date to reserve your spot. The remaining balance is due by September 1st, 2022.
What is included:
English-speaking guides
Transportation between and within cities to all activities on the itinerary
Accommodations in comfortable, well-located hotels
All museum and attraction admission and bicycle rentals
Breakfast and lunch every day
Welcome dinner and farewell dinner
Tips/gratuities for guides
What’s NOT included:
Airfare
Travel insurance
Admission and transportation to activities not included in the itinerary
Dinners other than the welcome and farewell dinners
IMPORTANT: Proof of travel insurance is required for this trip. Read my article Why You Should Buy Travel Insurance to learn why it’s so important. You may chose your own travel insurance provider but I recommend World Nomad's. I've used their insurance for many years, as have many of my clients, and they offer comprehensive coverage and excellent customer service at a reasonable price.
Mexico City is a fantastic place to celebrate Day of the Dead, as the city puts on an elaborate parade, decorates the the zocalo main square and the popular Reforma Avenue.
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