Few times of year reveal the soul of Puerto Vallarta quite like Día de Muertos.
Around November 1 and 2, cempasúchil, candlelit altars and Catrinas transform the city as Mexico honors the memory of those who are no longer with us. Behind each of these familiar images is a story: flowers traditionally used to help guide returning souls, ofrendas filled with favorite foods and photographs, graves illuminated with candles, and the unmistakable face of La Catrina.
It is a celebration rooted in remembrance, but also in color, artistry and life.
At Almar Resort, this meaningful Mexican tradition becomes part of your stay, connecting cultural heritage with the vibrant LGBTQ+ spirit of Puerto Vallarta.
Día de Muertos Begins at Almar
You do not have to leave the resort to discover some of the most recognizable traditions of Día de Muertos.
Traditional ofrendas and altars honor the meaning behind the celebration, while Almar's striking Catrina in the lobby welcomes guests with one of Mexico's most iconic artistic symbols.
These details offer a glimpse into the cultural significance of Día de Muertos before your journey continues through Puerto Vallarta—and through the different experiences within Almar.
Pool Parties and Guest DJs at Mantamar
When the afternoon calls for a different rhythm, Mantamar Beach Club brings Día de Muertos to the Pacific.
Special pool parties, guest DJs and seasonal touches inspired by the celebration create an atmosphere where music, beach culture and LGBTQ+ community come together.
Spend the afternoon by the pool, meet travelers from around the world and watch the sun move across Playa Los Muertos while Mantamar turns up the energy.
Slow Down at Eden
Día de Muertos in Puerto Vallarta does not have to be nonstop celebration.
Between exploring the city and enjoying the events at Almar, Eden Pool & Lounge Garden offers a quieter side of your stay.
Surrounded by tropical greenery, it is the place to slow down, enjoy the water and recharge before the next plan.
Morning at Eden. Afternoon at Mantamar. Evening in Puerto Vallarta.
The rhythm is yours.
Día de Muertos Drag Brunch at The Top
High above the city, The Top Sky Bar brings its own interpretation to the season with a themed Día de Muertos Drag Brunch.
Catrina-inspired looks, elaborate makeup and drag artistry meet brunch, drinks and panoramic views over Puerto Vallarta and the Pacific.
It is a celebration where Mexican visual traditions and contemporary LGBTQ+ culture share the stage—bold, creative and distinctly Vallarta.
The Story Behind La Catrina
The elaborate Catrina faces seen throughout Puerto Vallarta during Día de Muertos have a fascinating story of their own.
La Catrina traces her roots to Mexican illustrator José Guadalupe Posada and his satirical skeletal figure La Calavera Garbancera. Artist Diego Rivera later portrayed the figure elegantly dressed in his mural Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Central, helping shape the character we recognize today.
Over time, La Catrina became closely associated with Día de Muertos. Today, Catrina makeup transforms the skull into an artistic canvas of flowers, color and intricate details—a striking visual reminder that mortality, memory and beauty can coexist.
How to Read a Día de Muertos Ofrenda
An ofrenda may be beautiful, but it is much more than decoration. Created to honor and welcome loved ones who have died, each altar combines symbolism with deeply personal memories.
Traditions vary throughout Mexico, but common elements include water for returning souls, candles to provide light and guidance, and brilliant orange cempasúchil, whose color, fragrance and petals are traditionally associated with guiding souls toward the offering. Papel picado, pan de muerto and favorite foods may also appear alongside personal belongings and photographs.
It is those intimate details—a favorite dish, a familiar object, a face in a photograph—that transform an altar into the story of someone's life.
Flowers, Candles and Memory at the Cemetery
For many Mexican families, Día de Muertos also extends to the cemetery. Graves may be cleaned and decorated with cempasúchil, candles and offerings, while families gather to remember those who have died.
Traditions differ across Mexico, but visits may include food, prayer, stories or simply spending time together beside a loved one's resting place.
It reveals something essential about Día de Muertos: remembrance does not have to be defined only by sadness. Through flowers, candlelight, family and memory, honoring those who came before can also become a celebration of the lives they lived.
Experience Día de Muertos from Almar Resort
What makes Día de Muertos at Almar special is the freedom to experience the celebration from different perspectives.
Honor tradition through Almar's altars and Catrina. Find your quiet moment at Eden. Celebrate beside the Pacific at Mantamar. Enjoy Drag Brunch above the city at The Top. Then step into Puerto Vallarta to discover the monumental Catrina and the cultural celebrations along the Malecón.
One stay. Many ways to experience a tradition that reminds us that remembering life is also a reason to celebrate.
Make Almar Resort your home for Día de Muertos in Puerto Vallarta.
