The Day of the Dead Tour is an annual event in Oaxaca. The following information is for the 2010 tour in Oaxaca, Mexico, from October 28 to November 2. October 28 arrive Oaxaca. You will be met at the airport for transfer to the Centro Suites October 29 Handicrafts tour to San Bartolo Coyotepec, famous for black pottery, and Santo Tomas Jalietza, famous for textiles. Then to the Friday market in Octolán de Morelos. At 5:00 pm there will be a walking city tour of the major highlights of Oaxaca including the Santo Domingo Cathedral, Alcala Street, the main Cathedral, the Zócalo and the expansive public markets 20 de Noviembre and Benito Juarez. October 30 Breakfast at the hotel. Village tour to Arrazola Xoxo, famous for wood carvings, and Cuilapam de Guerrero to see the ex-convent. Then to Zaachila to see the market and the important archeological zone. Free afternoon to visit museums, go shopping, or relax by the Zocalo. October 31 Breakfast at the hotel. Depart at 9:00 am to see the incredible Tule Tree, largest tree in the world. Then to Teotitlán del Valle, center of weaving for beautiful rugs. At nearby Mitla, we will visit the pre-colombian archeological zone which offers some of the most striking structures in Mexico. In particular they are noteworthy for the modern-style decorations on the walls which have been emulated in contemporary Mexican architecture. On the way back to Oaxaca we will visit the petrified waterfalls at Hierve el Agua and stop at a Mezcal Factory to learn about this local beverage and do some sampling. At 7:00pm we will visit the famous cemetery of Xoxocotlan by night to see the indigenous traditions of Day of the Dead. The cemetery is lighted with candles and beautiful altars can be seen. November 01 Breakfast at the hotel. Morning tour by daylight to the City Cemetery to see more Day of the Dead decorations. Then we will tour the awesome archeological site of Monte Albán high atop a hill overlooking Oaxaca. It is one of the most impressive archeological sites in all of Mexico. The impressive ruins have atrtracted visitors and explorers throughout the colonial and modern eras. Free afternoon to explore the city. November 02 Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport at whatever time is appropriate for your departure flight. Package includes 5 nights accommodations at the Centro Suites with daily breakfast, roundtrip airport transfers, taxes, English-speaking guides. $725 per person based on double occupancy (two persons in the room) $960 per person based on single occupancy (one person in the room) We have received many excellent compliments on this tour package. There is free time on October 30 and November 1 for you to visit museums, shopping, or art galleries. We can assist with flights to Oaxaca from your home city. Also we recommend a side trip to the coast at Huatulco or Puerto Escondido for a few days at the beach.

This uniquely Mexican and very important holiday, which celebrates the continuity of life, takes place in Oaxaca with more ceremony, ritual and flair than in any other town in Mexico. It is anything but grim and macabre. It provides an opportunity for a warm family and community reunion which includes the well remembered deceased, along with the living. The dead are considered as still being an integral part of the family and they are remembered especially on this day. The whole family takes part in preparing for the celebration. The women of the household have the greatest responsibility, as they must start to save what little money they have long before the awaited days arrive. Little by little, the scarce centavos go to buy new dishes, which are stored under the family altar, waiting for the arrival of the honored guests. The Zapotecs believed that the spirits come to visit their homes once again on this day. They come to celebrate with the living and to enjoy the spirit of what their earthly descendants have prepared for them. For this reason, the preparation is anything but haphazard. Certain types of flowers, foods and decorations are called for and the conscientious family is well aware of exactly what must be done. On the days leading up to the celebration, the markets are lively and animated - not somber or serious at all. There is a saying in Oaxaca, "We are not here for a long time, we are here for a good time." Tiny homemade stands appear in the market, selling sugar skulls, special bread called pan de yema, bright yellow marigold flowers, delicate handmade ornaments and hand-dipped candles for the altar. The final preparations take place on the night of October 31st, bringing the whole community and generations of families out to the cemetery. The grave sites are cleaned, decorated and bedecked with flowers and candles, as well as food and drink that the deceased loved while living. Vista World Travel has been operating tours to Oaxaca since 1998. Our local tour guides are very experienced. The vehicles used for transfers and tours are comfortable and well-maintained. more about Días de los Muertos