But Morgz, what exactly is Dia de los Muertos?

Glad you asked! In Mexico and other parts of Latin America, Dia de los Muertos is a REALLY BIG DEAL. It’s a day to honor loved ones who have passed and to celebrate their lives. It is technically on Nov. 1 and 2, but for Dia de los Muertos in Puerto Vallarta (and in other Mexican towns), the Festival lasts all week long, usually from Oct 27-November 5th.

It’s kind of like Halloween, but on steroids! Perfect if you like to PARTY (🙋‍♀️me, I’m the one who likes to party)!

Dia de los Muertos is the PERFECT time to visit Puerto Vallarta. Yes! It’s VERY hot and humid. Yes! Your hair will be wild and frizzy! Yes! You will have to cross your fingers all the hurricanes are gone (hurricane season lasts through November, peaking between Aug. and Oct.). But participating in the week long celebration is WORTH IT. 🎉

Just plan on taking lots of showers…or hanging out in the pool a lot.

How is Dia de los Muertos celebrated?

You just head down to the “Malecon” or boardwalk, the historic downtown, or Zona Romantica. You don’t really have to have a plan, just join all of the festivities! Wander around, eat treats, buy drinks with little umbrellas in them…

The local businesses make “Catrinas,” (the big skeletons and sugar skulls that we all recognize wearing 🌺flowers in their hair and fancy dresses) and line them up along the boardwalk. Most of them are hilarious, and all of them are super creative.

“Ofrendas” or alters, are set up to honor departed loved ones. You must go peep the giant, gorgeous display of them downtown across the street from the Malecon.

Once it gets dark, the street vendors ✨ARRIVE✨. In the plaza you can buy stuff your face with all of the tasty treats including street corn, churros, empanadas, enchiladas, tortas, tacos, and aguas frescas. SO GOOD. You could literally spend the week just eating your way through la plaza.

On Halloween (Oct. 31), all of the kiddos head to the Malecon to go trick-or-treating.

Listen…

It is the CUTEST thing. We showed up and had no idea what was going to happen. So we had to run to the nearest “dulceria” (candy shop) to buy bags of candy to pass out to all the ninos. 10/10 recommend.

MEANWHILE…

There were some hombres spending the whole week to build the massive, world-record breaking (for real), tallest Calavera Catrina. Each day we would watch her get more and more put together – just watching them put on her earrings was a spectacle👀! Then, they announced that she is the new (92 ft!) tall Guinness Book of World Records holder, and so we partied with a fireworks show and a concert (and ice cream and churros). Read more about her here.

Something Extra for YOU

My VERY FAVORITE thing that I HIGHLY recommend doing (you absolutely MUST go) is to get tickets to see Alma, by Rhythms of the Night. Find a Vallarta Adventures concierge and book your tickets. It’s a 5 hour trip that begins with a sunset cruise to “Las Caletas,” their private beach. Once you arrive, you are led down the most romantic candlelit path to a candlelit table for dinner. Take some time to gaze into your lover’s eyes. Eee! Isn’t it exciting?! After dinner, they will take you to the amphitheater to watch the show. It’s in the style of Cirque du Soleil and it DOES NOT disappoint. Seriously. Do it.

Where to Stay for Dia de los Muertos

I recommend staying in or near the 🩷Zona Romantica🩷 (oh la la) if you visit for Dia de los Muertos. That way, you can be right where the fun is! There are a few hotels and a bunch of Airbnb‘s in the area (check Tripadvisor for hotel recs). Book one with an incredible pool just a couple blocks from the beach and you will be set!

But, what if you are staying in the hotel zone or in another neighborhood??? DON’T WORRY! You can taxi down to the Malecon. They are fairly inexpensive and there are lots of drivers waiting to take you wherever you want to go.

Staying Safe in Puerto Vallarta

Whenever you choose to go to Puerto Vallarta, the city is beautiful and vibrant. There are great THE BEST restaurants, and it is very safe. When we were there, we were two couples, but my female friend and I often went walking at night by ourselves to go grab a snack a couple of blocks down the road at the Oxxo and we never felt threatened or unsafe. Our crew wandered around until all hours of the night finding tacos and “chippies” (why are the potato chips in Mexico so good?).

Use good judgement, stay on roads where there are other people wandering around, don’t get too hammered, and most important, HAVE FUN.

If you have celebrated Dia de los Muertos in Puerto Vallarta, let me know in the comments!

🥰Read more about me and my travels here.

You should definitely read this post about the “Best Tacos in San Diego” too!

Until next time!

xoxo, Morgz