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Presenting our weekly "Day of the Dead Cemetery Tour"

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Our Puerto Vallarta Cemetery Tour offers an immersive 3 hour experience that brings participants closer to the rich cultural heritage of honoring the departed of Puerto Vallarta. 

 

No tour of a cemetery in Mexico is complete without a detailed focus of The Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos. 

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Dia de los Muertos is a vibrant Mexican tradition held every year on November 1st , 2nd that blends indigenous beliefs with Catholic influences, celebrating the lives of ancestors rather than mourning their absence. Unlike typical cemetery visits that might evoke somber or eerie feelings, our Day of the Dead cemetery tour is a more joyful and colorful event. Graves are often still adorned with marigold flowers, candles, and photos from when families gathered to remember, laugh, and celebrate life’s continuity. By centering a cemetery tour around this holiday, our guides  help participants understand how communities commemorate the cycle of life and death in ways that resonate beyond grief. This perspective encourages visitors to consider the deeper meaning of memory, legacy, and the human experience of loss.

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On our Day of the Dead Cemetery Tour visitors can also explore the various symbolic elements that enrich this holiday. Marigolds, for example, are believed to guide spirits back to the world of the living with their vibrant colors and fragrance, while decorated sugar skulls symbolize the sweetness of life and the inevitability of death. Tour guides will explain the importance of ofrendas, or altars, which families build to honor their loved ones with offerings of food, drinks, and mementos. By explaining the significance of each element, a tour helps visitors appreciate the profound respect Mexican culture holds for its ancestors and the celebration of their return. This level of detail offers an authentic connection to the holiday, deepening visitors' understanding and appreciation of cultural practices that differ from their own.

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​On a practical note, your guide will introduce you to Puerto Vallarta’s most famous gravesites as well as lesser-known ones, each with its own story to tell. You’ll hear about the lives and achievements of remarkable individuals, from the celebrated Vallarta painter Manuel Lepe to early political leaders and colorful personalities who shaped the town. Through engaging anecdotes and historical details, the guide brings these figures to life, giving insight into their contributions to Puerto Vallarta’s heritage.

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After departing the hallowed grounds, we’ll take a short walk to a shrine dedicated to the controversial figure of Santa Muerte.

 

Santa Muerte is known as a “patron saint” for those people who may live in the shadows—such as night workers, the shunned, criminal elements, and the marginalized.

 

This shrine provides a fascinating glimpse into a unique (albeit highly controversial) spiritual tradition that resonates deeply with some Mexicans and others in Latin America while officially is condemned by the Catholic Church.  

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After departing the shrine, we’ll pass by walls covered with around 20 vibrant murals inspired by Day of the Dead. These murals celebrate the holiday’s themes of memory and family and add to the colorful character of the neighborhood.

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Finally, we’ll explore the vibrant “5 de Diciembre” neighborhood, where we’ll stroll down the main avenue and experience the everyday life of this vibrant area.

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We’ll conclude our tour at the popular restaurant “La Chula,” a beloved local traditional eatery. While the official tour ends here, those who wish to stay for lunch (not included) are warmly invited to join us for a meal in the company of new friends and fellow travelers.Tours

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Click here for Next Year's  Day of the Dead Tours on Oct 31, Nov 1, Nov 2, 2025

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ESSENTIALS

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Timeline: (estimated)

• Meet at 10:00 am for introductions and guide lecture

• Tour cemetery

• Tour shrine of Santa Muerte

• Tour Day of the Dead inspired murals

• Tour Blvd San Salvador (main street of 5 Dec Neighborhood)

• Official conclusion of tour at 1:00 PM

• Restaurant La Chula for optional lunch 

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• Walking Difficulty: Easy (although be careful of cracked or broken sidewalks, steps)

• Meet at 10:00 AM near the Cemetery in the 5 Decembre Neighborhood.  (Exact location and directions will be sent in your confirmation email.) Finish at 1:00 PM. ​

• Bring Pesos as many establishments are cash only.  (lots of gift items available on our walks) 

• Price is $49.50 plus VAT.  

• Price does not include customary tip for the walk leaders. 

• Consider bringing an umbrella for shade.  

• Trip scheduled weekly usually on 

• For same day reservations you may email us at info(AT)puertovallartawalking.com to check if same day space is available.  We would love to have you on the tour!

• Email us at info(AT)puertovallartawalking.com if you have a group (4 or more) and wish to arrange this tour on a different day then regularly scheduled.  

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