Spend today and tonight wandering through the streets of the picturesque city of Oaxco with your guide, experiencing the traditional Dia de los Muertos ('Day of the Dead') festival.
Celebrated for thousands of years by Aztecs and other ancient Meso-American tribes, the date of this festival was changed by the Spanish to coincide with All Saint’s and All Soul’s Days, so it is now celebrated from 31 October until 2 November. During these three days, it is believed the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest, and the spirits of the deceased can come back to visit.
Pass houses, shops and cafes which are painted a multitude of bright colours. Then head over to the ornate Santa Domingo church, a wonderful example of the city’s lavish baroque architecture and the Zócalo, the main square and the centre of this historic town. You will see many yellow carts selling 'elotes' (corn on a stick spread with mayonaisse and chili powder), clusters of colourful flowers, brightly-painted skulls and skeletons everywhere. Vendors sell all types of street food including empanadas, crepes and 'tlayudas' - a local specialty similar to a large quesadilla, cooked to order by old women using flat-topped grills.
Afterwards head to the huge Abastos Market – an eclectic and energetic ‘tianguis’ (open-air bazaar). Browse the stalls piled high with Day of the Dead ornaments and decorations including colourful strings of beads and iconic illustrated skulls. Join the local families buying the decorations used to adorn their home altars in tribute to their loved ones. These alters typically include a photo of the dead person, intricate paper decorations, vibrant yellow marigolds and some sustenance for the spirit - such as fruit, bread, water, a favourite snack, beer or cigarettes (all opened for them). Altars may also have a hat or shawl of the deceased, as well as candles or incense.
At night head to the village cemetery to be part of this incredible yearly celebration and appreciate the unique atmosphere of joyous remembrance, mixed with a macabre sadness. Although time spent in the cemetries is more solemn, outside the festivities can become more riotous, with impromptu parades and fireworks.