Embrace the Magic: Day of the Dead in Morelia, Michoacán - A 5-Day Cultural Fiesta with Alma Explores!
One of the most popular places, if not, thee most popular place to observe Mexico's Day of the Dead celebrations, is in the state of Michoacan.
Join us on this amazing 4 nights/5 day journey, as we observe these magical traditions.
Our home base will be UNESCO World Heritage site, the city of Morelia , known for its colonial architecture and also the capital of the state of Michoacán.
We will be visiting grave sites in local small villages, learning about the Purepecha indigenous community, partaking in the local cuisine, and shopping the local arts and markets.
***Scroll down and click on the photos below for day by day itinerary.
**Some easy physical activities like walking tours are included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the experience. With the exception of the actual Day of the Dead (Nov. 1st) Most walking tours are 2-2.5 hours with stops in between.
**Please note that although we do our best to accommodate vegan diets, Morelia is not vegan friendly, and it can be difficult to find vegan options. We do our best, but cannot promise any vegan meals.
REFUND & CANCELLATION POLICY: You have 24 hours from the time of booking to cancel a trip for a full refund. ALL REFUNDS ARE SUBJECT TO A 3% PROCESSING FEE. In other words, if you request a refund for a payment or a deposit, your refund will be minus a 3% processing fee. After 24 hours, the trip deposit – and all future payments – are non-refundable. Our contracts with our suppliers are competitive and do not allow refunds and this is how we can offer affordable monthly payments on our trip packages.
You must communicate your cancellation via email at alma@almaexplores.com.
TRAVEL INSURANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL COVERAGE IS MANDATORY to travel with us. We highly encourage you to purchase travel insurance within 30 days of booking this trip.
Alma Explores On-site Trip Host
3.5 Star boutique hotel in centrally located location
Airport Taxi Transfers-Roundtrip to and from MLM-Morelia International Airport
In-room snacks
At the hotel
Welcome Group Dinner at top Morelia restaurant
Daily breakfast at hotel, arrival day box meal, 2 group dinners, 2 lunches
For meals included only.
Transportation to all hosted activities
Activities listed in the itinerary
Get to know the city center of Morelia and admire Day of the Dead decorations with a guided tour..
Town of Patzcuaro comes alive with vibrant Day of the Dead preparations and outdoor markets, making it excellent for shopping.
Visit Capula, the birthplace of the clay "Catrina".
Visit town of Tupátaro, where we'll admire the traditional Day of the Dead altars.
Visit town of Cuanajo to see monumental family altars and families come with wooden horses adorned with flowers, fruits and other foods to honor the deceased.
Tzurumutaro cemetery, witness thousands of candles, dotted in lines along the pathways and around or on top of tombs, casting their amber light on the marigolds.
Available at extra cost.
Pre-trip concierge support for massage appointments
Alma Explores Private Concierge Chat during the trip
2 Pre-Trip Group Video Call with the Alma Explores Team
Provided during walking tour and day trips.
Personalized hand-selected gifts in your Swag Bag
Flights NOT INCLUDED-Arrive & Depart -MLM-Morelia International Airport
Does not include 2 lunches and 1 dinner
Travel insurance for the entire trip is required.
You must carry a current passport. Passport Cards are not valid for air travel. Passport should be valid for at least six months from the date of your arrival in Mexico.
Passport or Visa Processing Fees
NOT INCLUDED
Personal shopping, transportation, tours, not listed in the itinerary.
In-Room Hotel massage must be paid in cash directly with masseuse, plus tip.
Tips for Tour Leader, Guides and Drivers
For those who are arriving early, we have a complimentary stay for you at an Airbnb that we are all sharing. Upon aiport arrival, transfer to Airbnb will be provided via airport taxi. Someone from Alma Explores Team will be there to greet you. AIRBNB rooms are double occupancy. You will have a twin bed in a shared room. Check out will be 11:30AM on Tuesday 11/29. At this time we can transfer to our permanent hotel and drop off our luggage until our official 3:30PM hotel check-in time. We will have suggested recommendations for things to do prior to hotel check-in.
3:30PM Check in to Hotel Herencia - Arrive in Morelia, transfer to your hotel. Now it’s time to relax, get some rest or a walk around vibrant center of Morelia, literally outside your hotel door. Welcome dinner tonight. Meet in lobby at 7PM.
Patzcuaro -Welcome to the Magical Town of Patzcuaro! As you walk the cobblestoned streets, admire the white walls & tile roofs in the city of Patzcuaro that was a state capital as of 1534.
Patzcuaro, a charming small town with a mixed colonial and indigenous feel, located 1 hour from Morelia. Patzcuaro is a great town to shop for local arts and crafts. Patzcuaro is one of 83 picturesque “Pueblo Magicos” (Magical Towns) designated by Mexico's Tourism department and one of the inspirations for the hit movie "Coco".
After Patzcuaro, we will visit the town of Capula famous as the birthplace of the “Catrina” sculpture. Capula remains a very small town, just a few minutes from Morelia. Its main street has several shops where artisans sell their clay crafts including Catrinas and other pieces. Enjoy some shopping, witness the beauty of Las Catrinas.
-Breakfast and lunch provided today. Dinner on your own.
-Bring a tote bag as today is a great day to do your shopping!
After breakfast at the hotel, join us for a guided walking tour of downtown Morelia.
Enjoy walking the colonial streets of downtown, in a city listed as one of Mexico’s 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Also, today is Halloween, so Morelia will be a feast for the eyes with decorations.
Lunch provided at local restaurant after walking tour ends.
Dinner on your own today.
Your morning and early afternoon are free!
Between 2pm and 3pm- Late lunch/Early Dinner included - We will meet for a late lunch/early dinner at local restaurant prior to starting our afternoon tour.
Day of the Dead site visits-Depart hotel approximately 5PM.
Today we will venture to the indigenous small communities near Morelia, where we will visit Tzurumutaro cemetery and the villages of Tupátaro and Cuanajo, to witness the celebrations of Day of Dead.
Visits start in the late afternoon and we expect to return after midnight, depending on how the group feels.
Please wear comfortable walking shoes that you don't mind getting dirty and bring a sweater or jacket for the evening. You will be walking on cobblestone and dirt areas.
It's time to go! Enjoy one last breakfast at hotel.
Hotel check out is at 11am today.
We will arrange for a car to pick you up and transfer you to the airport.
Adios amigos!
