Come celebrate the Day of the Dead in the Riviera Nayarit!
- Mexico’s Pacific Treasure recommends two micro-destinations that stand out for their picturesque celebrations and traditions, so you can experience a unique way of honoring the dead: The Magic Town of Sayulita and Bucerías.
The celebration of the Day of the Dead is probably one of the best-known Mexican traditions around the world and one of the most representative of our culture.
The Riviera Nayarit recommends two micro-destinations that stand out for their picturesque celebrations and traditions where you will discover a unique way of honoring the dead: The Magic Town of Sayulita and Bucerías. Either one of these two villages will guarantee excellent photography and ample opportunities to experience our traditions.
Those seeking adventure or who prefer family travel will undoubtedly encounter new and enriching experiences.
We invite you to discover them…
Long live the dead in the Magic Town of Sayulita!
The Magic Town of Sayulita has seen its ¡Vivan los Muertos! (Long live the dead!) Festival flourish. This event focuses on sharing the different artistic expressions that come to life between October 31st and November 2nd. The locals love it, but it’s also become a great attraction for visitors.
During the celebration the village streets become a riot of color and the cempasúchil, or marigold, flowers perfume the air. There is an exhibition of altars honoring the dead and a contest on the plaza, elegant catrinas (living skeletons), brilliant rugs made of colored sawdust, and other figures related with death.
The Vivan los Muertos 2019 (Long live the Dead) Parade will also take place on Thursday, October 31st at 8:00 p.m. Different associations participate in the parade, as well as the Ejido’s charros (Mexican cowboys) and an escaramuza (show of horsemanship); the riders will be all dressed up in traditional garb with their faces painted like skulls.
Attendees will enjoy the night walk on October 1st and 2nd, the Nuestros Muertos (Our Dead) serenade, and the pilgrimage to the communal cemetery at the edge of Playa Los Muertos, where the vigil is held in honor of the faithful dead.
The festival ends at the main plaza with the presentation of the mariachi, a folkloric ballet, the awards for the winners of the altar contest, and, in closing, the music of Turquesa and the Sonora Dinamita bands.
For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/VivaLosMuertos2019/
Day of the Dead celebrations in Bucerías
Bucerías, “Place of the Divers,” is one of the Riviera Nayarit’s traditional villages that has a very involved and creative community. This year, locals and the resident community of foreigners have come together to celebrate a Day of the Dead Festival. It includes a complete cultural and artistic program, including a Skeleton Parade and an exhibition of Day of the Dead Altars with their offerings filled with symbols alluding to death.
The celebration begins on Friday, November 1st, at 5:30 p.m. at Lupita’s, the restaurant in the Refugio del Mar hotel. Children from Manos de Amor and The Migrant School will participate in the festival.
The Skeleton Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. along the main streets of Bucerías. It departs from the corner of Benito Juárez and Lázaro Cárdenas streets, following Lázaro Cárdenas all the way to the main plaza in the heart of town.
The celebration continues at 7:15 p.m. with a show that includes the participation of the International Mariachi, the Tradiciones folkloric ballet, and singer Cheko Ruiz. At the end of the evening there will be an awards ceremony for the winners of the altar contest and fireworks.
For more information on the festival visit: https://bit.ly/32D5nKN
Or write to: buceriasdodfest@gmail.com
MORE INFO:
The Day of the Dead has been recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Culture Organization (UNESCO).
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The Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Bahía de Banderas Hotel and Motel Association (AHMBB) support cultural and musical events through their promotional work, as these events place the destination in the spotlight and generate visitors and important exposure thanks to the media coverage they receive. These efforts are done with the support of the Government of the State of Nayarit via its Tourism Promotional Trust (Fiprotur).
