Journeys: Day of the Dead in San Miguel de Allende

Tonight, you will kick off the six days of celebration with a Welcome Dinner at a traditional Mexican cantina featuring local specialties, stories, music, and charm. If you arrive early, take some time to explore San Miguel de Allende, known for its well-preserved colonial architecture, rich history, and vibrant arts scene. The city is also a UNESCO World Heritage site with the centre of town being a time capsule of cobblestone streets lined with jewel toned houses.

Visit the historical sites of San Miguel de Allende and learn about their most vibrant celebration; Día de Los Muertos. Join a local expert and walk through the streets lined with marigolds, altars, and papel picado, as you listen to the stories, legends, and traditions behind this important holiday. Pass by key landmarks like Parroquia, Templo de San Francisco, and the artesanías market, while discovering how the city honors its ancestors through art, memory, and rituals. Later, visit a local shop and personalize your alfeñiques, a traditional, hand-crafted sugar confection, often shaped like skulls with intricate designs and lots of colours. End the day with some iconic Pan de Muerto and hot chocolate as you walk through the square and experience the charged atmosphere. Dinner will be at your leisure.

Set out to discover the charm culture of San Miguel de Allende. Begin with a visit to a community tourism initiative led by the weavers of a women’s craft cooperative. The women here are the descendants of the Otomi pyramid builders, and this intimate, hands-on experience invites travellers into their homes to spend time in a space where females can support their families, and themselves by designing and making traditional hooked rugs to sell, featuring designs inspired by their daily lives in their rural village.Then, enjoy a typical lunch at the cooperative before joining an expert guide on a visit to Fábrica La Aurora, a former textile factory turned art and design centre. Explore the galleries, artist studios, and creative spaces full of inspiring work blending tradition with contemporary expression. You will gain a deeper knowledge of the local art for Dia de Los Muertos with time to look around and admire the work. Dinner will be at your leisure then opt for a nearby rooftop to watch the revelry from above.

Begin the morning with a walk to the Cemetery Virgen de Guadalupe for a guided tour with an expert. This experience offers a respectful and insightful look at local traditions of remembrance. Witness where families gather to honour their departed loved ones and observe the colourful altars, marigolds, candles, and music throughout the cemetery. Learn about the symbolism behind these offerings and enjoy time to quietly reflect on cultural connections during a unique window into one of Mexico’s most powerful traditions. This afternoon, enjoy free time for optional artisan workshops like macramé and ceramics. Dinner will be at your leisure this evening.

Travel to the nearby hot springs for a relaxing soak in the natural thermal waters just outside of San Miguel de Allende. Find yourself surrounded by gardens, mountain views, and mineral-rich pools to recharge and connect with the environment. Then visit the church of Atotonilco, nicknamed "Mexico's Sistine Chapel" and see the birthplace of the Mexican War of Independence. Arrive back in town for a free afternoon to explore, before gathering in the evening for a unique dining experience. Celebrate your final night in San Miguel de Allende with a flavourful, guided pulque tasting at one of the city’s most unique spots. Learn about this ancestral drink from the gods and sit down for a relaxed, family-style meal of local appetizers in a rustic, cantina-like setting.

Depart at any time.