Day of the Dead Immersion

This Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) outing is co-hosted by Luna Tours & Hiking and Planeta Cacao and runs only from October 28 to November 7. It is a small-group cultural day of about 360 minutes, built around one of Mexico's most important traditions and centered on Planeta Cacao in the Puerto Vallarta area.

You are picked up at meeting points across the bay, tailored to your location, and ride to Planeta Cacao while a certified guide introduces the history and traditions of the holiday. On arrival you help assemble a traditional multi-tiered altar, or ofrenda: you place photos of your loved ones, light candles and lay marigold flowers (cempasúchil), learning the meaning of each tier and element.

Next comes the link between cacao, ancestral rituals and the holiday. Your hosts explain why cacao was seen as a sacred bridge between the living and the spirit world, and you taste it in artisanal tastings. Then you sit down to a seasonal, home-style meal: tamales, champurrado (a warm cacao-based drink), agua de jamaica (hibiscus) and pan de muerto.

After the meal there is time for photos in a decorated Day of the Dead setup. Every guest receives a handcrafted Catrina flower headband or Catrín top hat to wear during the tour and keep. The day ends with a respectful visit to a local neighborhood cemetery, where you see how families gather to honor their ancestors, followed by the ride back to your original meeting point.

It suits travelers curious about the meaning of the holiday rather than just its imagery. Expect a moderate level of physical fitness; it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries. Infants must sit on an adult's lap and service animals are allowed.

The price includes the Puerto Vallarta guide, cacao tasting, tamales, pan de muerto, champurrado, agua fresca, the photo setup, the headband or hat, and an air-conditioned vehicle. Tips are not included. Public transportation is available nearby.