Dia De Muertos at La Zebra: one of Mexico's most cherished holidays

You know about the parties, the costumes and the skulls, but the true meaning of Dia de Muertos is so much more than just that. An iconic staple in the Mexican calendar, celebrate Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) the authentic way here at La Zebra with music, dance, traditional dishes, art and altars. If you’re in Tulum, come join the celebrations. 

Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a cherished Mexican holiday celebrated on November 1st and 2nd to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. It’s an iconic expression of Mexican heritage that combines ancient indigenous traditions with Spanish Catholic influences, transforming what many cultures see as a somber event into a joyful celebration of life and death. Bright colors, costumes and festivities commemorate the dead, remembering the joys of their life as opposed to mourning their passing. Here at La Zebra, we celebrate Dia de Muertos as a time to embrace death as a natural, beautiful part of life and to celebrate the unbreakable bonds with family and ancestors.

Cultural Roots and Meaning

The roots of Dia de Muertos stretch back to indigenous civilizations like the Aztecs, Maya, and Purépecha, who held ceremonies celebrating the cyclical nature of life and death. With Tulum being the original Mayan land, we’re honored to share the Mexican traditions with our guests, traveling from near and far to experience an authentic representation of Dia de Muertos. 

The Mayans believed in the continuity of life beyond death, viewing it as a natural transition rather than an end. The reason we celebrate it over two days is that the indigenous beliefs merged with Catholic practices after Spanish colonization, aligning the traditions with All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days on November 1st and 2nd. This blending of traditions demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of Mexican culture, creating a unique and enduring form of remembrance that reflects the spirit of both indigenous and Catholic influences.

What to Expect during Dia de Muertos in Mexico

We celebrate Día de Muertos with several symbolic traditions that honor the spirits of the deceased, including:

1.  Altars (Ofrendas)

Families set up ‘ofrendas’, also known as altars, in their homes or at gravesites, adorned with photos of loved ones, candles, marigold flowers (cempasúchil), sugar skulls, and the favorite foods and drinks of the departed. These altars serve as a beacon to welcome the spirits back for the day and to honor their memory.

Come and see La Zebra’s altar from October 30th until November 3rd.

2. Sugar Skulls and Calacas

Sugar skulls, or ‘calaveras,’ are often decorated with names to represent departed souls and are placed on altars or given as gifts. Calacas, or skeleton figures, frequently appear dressed up and celebrating, symbolizing the acceptance of mortality with a unique sense of humor—a core aspect of Mexican identity. 

3. Marigold Flowers (Cempasúchil)  

The bright orange flowers adorning the streets and buildings are marigolds, also known as Cempasúchil. These «flowers of the dead,» are believed to guide spirits back to the world of the living with their bright color and fragrance.

4. Pan de Muerto

This special sweet bread, usually round and bun-like in shape with a cross on top, is placed on the altar as an offering, reminding the living of the sweetness of life. Also known as “Bread of the Dead,” is soft and slightly sweet, often flavored with orange zest or anise seeds, and is decorated with distinctive bone-like shapes that represent death in a celebratory, reverent way. 

Pan de Muerto is enjoyed with family, often accompanied by hot chocolate or atole, a traditional hot beverage made from masa (corn dough), water, and spices. Eating it becomes an act of remembering and honoring loved ones, bridging the world of the living and the dead as families come together to celebrate life, death, and heritage.

Try Pan de Muerto and cacao with us this week at La Zebra, served at breakfast on the mornings of the October 15th until November 5th.

5. Visit to Cemeteries

Families visit cemeteries to clean and decorate gravesites, sometimes holding picnics, playing music, or sharing stories about their loved ones. It is an opportunity for families to connect, remember, and celebrate life, showing that death is not to be feared but embraced.

Embracing Death with Joy

In Mexican heritage, and here at La Zebra we celebrate death through Día de Muertos, teaching others to embrace it rather than fear it’s inevitable coming. The holiday includes humor and joy, where even death is embraced as part of life. It’s common to celebrate the occasion with a grand fiesta, where women often dress up as La Catrina, a skeleton dressed in elegant attire, created by artist José Guadalupe Posada, who represents an ironic reminder that death comes for everyone, rich or poor. 

Celebrate life and death with us with our special Taco Thursday party and Street Food Sunday events with live music and food so good it’s no wonder our loved ones want to return to try it. 

Through striking art and satire, Día de Muertos reflects a core Mexican belief in the joy of life and the inevitability of death, embracing mortality with an open heart.

Passing on the tradition through generations

Día de Muertos reinforces the importance of family in Mexican culture. Family bonds are deeply cherished, and by honoring deceased loved ones, families maintain a connection to their ancestors, ensuring that their legacies and memories are passed down. Altars adorned with photos and mementos symbolize these relationships, affirming that death does not break these ties. This profound respect for family heritage is also a way for Mexicans to stay connected with their cultural roots and community, reinforcing a shared national identity across generations.

Collective Memory and Reflection

Día de Muertos is more than a celebration; it’s a sacred time for reflection, where friends and families come together to celebrate life, honor their ancestors, and pass down cherished family stories.

Come together with us at La Zebra this November in a connection to Mexican heritage, celebrating both the joys of the past and the blessings of the present. We’re hosting several exciting events, so join us in Mexico’s unique symbolism of life’s impermanence and beauty. What are you waiting for!

Book a room for the full experience or see the events schedule here.