The Day of the Dead Tour is an annual event in Oaxaca. The following information is for the 2008 tour in Oaxaca, Mexico, from October 29 to November 3. Wednesday, October 29: Arrival at Oaxaca Airport. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Thursday, October 30: Breakfast at the hotel. Morning walking tour of the Zocalo area including Governor’s Palace, Cathedral, and the markets. Afternoon guided tour of the Monte Alban archaeological site. Friday, October 31: Breakfast at the hotel. Day free for museums, shopping, optional tours. Meet for dinner at a fine dining restaurant with speaker explaining the meaning of Day of the Dead. Night cemetery tour to the famous Xoxocotlan cemetery to see the lighted altars and offerings. Saturday, November 1: Breakfast at the hotel. Morning cemetery tour for two hours followed by excursion to the Tule Tree, Mitla archaeological site, Teotitlan, and Tlacolula Market. Return late afternoon. Sunday, November 2: Breakfast at the hotel. Free day for optional tours, museums, shopping, and visiting favorite restaurants. The package price includes the tours and services listed above and 5 nights accommodations at your choice of the following hotels. Hotel Parador Del Dominico (3-star) US$624 per person based on double occupancy, US$832 per person based on single occupancy Hotel Aitana (3.5 star) US$708 per person double occupancy, US$915 single occupancy La Provincia (4 star) US$998 per person double occupancy, US$1534 single occupancy Tours and transfers only without hotel accommodations, US$420 per person This uniquely Mexican and very important holiday, which celebrates the continuity of life, takes place in Oaxaca with more ceremony, ritual and flair than in any other town in Mexico.

It is anything but grim and macabre. It provides an opportunity for a warm family and community reunion which includes the well remembered deceased, along with the living. The dead are considered as still being an integral part of the family and they are remembered especially on this day. The whole family takes part in preparing for the celebration. The women of the household have the greatest responsibility, as they must start to save what little money they have long before the awaited days arrive. Little by little, the scarce centavos go to buy new dishes, which are stored under the family altar, waiting for the arrival of the honored guests. The Zapotecs believed that the spirits come to visit their homes once again on this day. They come to celebrate with the living and to enjoy the spirit of what their earthly descendants have prepared for them. For this reason, the preparation is anything but haphazard. Certain types of flowers, foods and decorations are called for and the conscientious family is well aware of exactly what must be done. On the days leading up to the celebration, the markets are lively and animated - not somber or serious at all. There is a saying in Oaxaca, "We are not here for a long time, we are here for a good time." Tiny homemade stands appear in the market, selling sugar skulls, special bread called pan de yema, bright yellow marigold flowers, delicate handmade ornaments and hand-dipped candles for the altar. The final preparations take place on the night of October 31st, bringing the whole community and generations of families out to the cemetery. The grave sites are cleaned, decorated and bedecked with flowers and candles, as well as food and drink that the deceased loved while living. Vista World Travel has been operating tours to Oaxaca since 1998. Our local tour guides are very experienced. The vehicles used for transfers and tours are comfortable and well-maintained. more about Días de los Muertos