WHAT YOU’LL DO

We meet at 15:00 PM in Macedonio Alcalá 802, Centro, Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, ring the bell ‘’A’’, between Bicibella and Café Punto Paz.

Join us to visit a host family at Atzompa for a genuine Día de los Muertos experience. Santa Maria Atzompa is a town municipality on the outskirts of Oaxaca. It’s economy has relied heavily on the production of clay materials with a distinctive green glaze. These works of art have been exported to other parts of Mexico and even made their way to the United States. Nowadays, most of their work is sold on site as the demand for these pieces has steadily risen over the years.

On our half day experience, we’ll take a closer look at Día de los Muertos, how it’s celebrated by our host family and their neighbors, and how customs change depending on families and who they’ve lost. 

We’ll arrive at the home of the family who will show us our first altar. There, we’ll receive a presentation about the significance of the altar and the objects and or decorations used to help create this altar. After we’ve learned about our first altar, our host family will take us to our second altar where we’ll begin to notice the diversity within the presentation of these altars. After we’ve spent some time checking out our second altar, our host family will take us to their home where a home-cooked traditional dinner will await us. 

Before sitting down to eat, members of the host family will take the time to cleanse us with copal as it is the tradition to do so before entering their home during Muertos. The meal will consist of traditional Día de los Muertos plates such as mole, tamales, sopa de guías, tortillas, and many other ancestral dishes enjoyed during this day. Mezcal, chocolate, and beer will also be served. 

Once we’ve enjoyed dinner, we’ll have an opportunity to see our third altar. Members of the group are encouraged to bring flowers, candles, food enjoyed by your loved ones, and pictures of your loved ones to contribute to the altar. It’s important to remember that leaving an offering at the altar can bring about a moment of grief and introspect. While this occurs, other members of the group will have the chance to look around our host family’s clay studio where they make beautiful plates, bowls, sculptures, and other decorative works of art. 

Costumes are worn by many people in many places during Muertos. Decorative clothing and masks have been a tradition for many years. A custom that’s specific to Atzompa is the style of masks and clothing worn by the locals. At our host family’s home, we will see an example of this tradition with the children of the family and how they express themselves through a tradition called comparsa. 

To wrap up our Muertos celebration, we’ll walk to Atzompa cemetery, which is one of the most iconic near Oaxaca City. Adorned with a wide variety of candles, flowers, and other decorative objects, people gather around their family’s tombs to say goodbye to the spirits who have visited them during this day.

Día de los Muertos is the most important holiday for many people here in Mexico. Our host family in Atzompa has been very generous in letting us bring people into their homes during these sacred times. Join us on this Día de los Muertos experience in Atzompa and to cherish this unforgettable experience.

ACTIVITY ADVISORY

Outdoor activities carry risks, and you may be exposed to dangerous situations as part of this experience. Make sure you can participate safely given your abilities and the conditions (such as location, weather, and equipment).

NOTES:

– Make it private just for your party with the private charter
– Don’t see your desired date available? Please contact us! We will do our best to make special arrangements for you!

– Please, check the weather. 

[weather.com](https://weather.com/weather/today/l/911a6d9d14fee1c35b9430aaab0c375af74d780bd379aff6e677cf7ab9817218)