Celebrate Mexican Traditions

On November 2nd, Mexico celebrates the traditional “Dia de Muertos” or Day of the Dead. This is the day families visit loved ones in the cemeteries but also celebrate their lives. This is not something new in Mexico as this day goes back to celebrations on the 1800 BC. There are at least 6 other days dedicated to celebrating dead according to the Mexican calendar in the Anthropology Museum. There are many ways to celebrate the Day of The Dead, here are a few: Welcome gifts The belief is that souls come back from the death on this day. Therefore we welcome them with their favorite food, drinks, fruits, toys in the case of children, pictures and of course the traditional yellow/ orange flowers called cempasúchil. Illuminating the way home A very important part of the tradition is for families to visit their beloved ones in the cemetery and place candles around the tomb in order to show their souls the way home. Some family members even spend the night at the cemetery, others hire music bands to play to the dead their favorite music. Mexican Humor In Mexico death is seen in a different way, we mock death, we make fun of it. For example the famous “Catrinas” dressed in different clothes to show death is present in the everyday things. Literary Calaveritas (Skulls) The Mexican culture has many ways of expressing their feelings about death. One of them is through rhymes that exaggerate particular aspects of famous people using death in a humorous way. Bread of the Dead This can not be missing in the welcome gifts for those passed souls. It is the most popular item in the celebration of the dead. There are many shapes and styles but the most popular is round, covered in sugar and has little shapes of bones on top of it. Isn’t this interesting? Mexico is so rich in culture and the Day of the Dead is on the top of the list! If you happen to be in Puerto Vallarta for Halloween make sure to make some time to look at the altars made by hotel employees. In some hotels like Costa Sur Resort & Spa, guests participate in the making of their own altar