Experience Authentic Festivities Including Catrina Parades, Mexology Fest, Día de Los Muertos Culinary Experiences, and More

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO / ACCESS Newswire / September 25, 2025 / From late October through early November, Velas Resorts will honor Mexico's most vibrant traditions with a dynamic calendar of Día de los Muertos celebrations. Guests can look forward to vivid cultural experiences ranging from Catrina parades and altar unveilings to culinary feasts, mixology workshops, and family-friendly activities. Celebrated annually on November 1 and 2, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a deeply cherished Mexican holiday that honors the memories of loved ones who have passed. As part of Velas Resorts' commitment to showcasing Mexico's cultural heritage, each property of the Mexican-owned resort collection offers unique ways for guests to engage with the vibrant traditions and customs that define this beloved holiday.

Día de los Muertos at Velas Vallarta

Family-friendly Velas Vallarta comes alive with festive Day of the Dead programming like calavera (sugar skull) painting in the gardens, guided tours through a maze of artistic life-sized Catrinas, and a traditional ofrenda honoring loved ones. Celebrations also include an ancestral mariachi-accompanied dinner.

Mexology Fest at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit

Now in its third year, Mexology Fest returns from October 28-29 at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, offering an immersive journey through the past, present, and future of Mexican spirits. Hosted by veteran Mixologist Saeed ‘Hawk' House, Mexology's theme this year is "Liquid History," a showcase of ancestral beverages like tequila, mezcal, raicilla, and tepache and their reinvention by today's most innovative mixologists. Guests will experience workshops, tastings, and interactive sessions designed to tell the story of Mexico's "liquid culture" through flavor. From welcome cocktails to special takeovers at Koi Bar and the farewell "Shakers & Stories" cocktail event, every moment will celebrate the living tradition of Mexican mixology. Set against the backdrop of the resort's lush tropical surroundings and luxury ocean-view suites, the festival seamlessly blends cultural authenticity with contemporary creativity. Included in the all-inclusive rate, Mexology Fest is an invitation to savor a sensory narrative that honors Mexico's heritage while looking toward the future of spirits and cocktails.

Día de los Muertos in Los Cabos at Velas Resorts: Catrinas, Cuisine, and Culture

At Grand Velas Los Cabos, the celebration peaks on November 2 with the family friendly Catrinas en Azul parade, a dazzling showcase of skeletal figures moving from the Grand Velas Los Cabos lobby to neighboring sister hotel Mar del Cabo. The evening event is accompanied by live music and dancing. Guests may also join an ancestral Mixology Class at Frida Restaurant to learn the craft of traditional Mexican drinks. At Mar del Cabo, the "Dinner of the Souls" on November 2 at Encanto Restaurant offers a special tasting menu infused with tribute dishes, thematic décor, live music, and celebratory drinks. A thematic altar walk and festive Catrinas will set the stage for this intimate cultural evening. Over at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos, the hotel presents ‘A Journey from Mictlán to the Offering,' an intimate gastronomic tribute to Mexico's most cherished tradition on November 2. Rooted in the legend that souls return from Mictlán to enjoy the offerings prepared in their honor, the evening blends ancient mysticism with modern culinary artistry. Limited to just eight guests, the experience begins at Bar 51 with a mixology class highlighting traditional Mexican herbs, crafting cocktails that honor the reunion of life and death. The journey then continues at the property's Agave Tasting Room with a four-course tasting dinner inspired by the country's diverse landscapes, including the sea, the valley, the mountains, and the jungle, paired with rare Mexican tequilas and wines. A sampling of dishes may include San Carlos oysters with achiote butter and cempasúchil petals, bluefin tuna crudo with guajillo ponzu and hoja santa chocolate, or wagyu fillet with recado negro sauce, and a pan de muerto trifle with white chocolate atole evoke both the flavors of Mexico and the spirit of remembrance. With its exclusivity and storytelling through cuisine, the event offers a soulful and unforgettable celebration of Día de Muertos. The experience at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos has limited spaces available. Guests are to book in advance with their personal concierge.

Día de Muertos & Halloween in the Mayan Jungle at Grand Velas Riviera Maya

At Grand Velas Riviera Maya, Día de Muertos is celebrated as a vibrant blend of art, flavor, and spirituality, honoring the memory of loved ones while offering festive fun for the whole family. The celebrations begin at the end of October with Halloween night, when the resort transforms into a lively fiesta filled with costumes, candy, and entertainment for all ages. Children can enjoy trick-or-treating around the resort, create Halloween crafts and decorations, decorate cupcakes, and settle in for a Haunted Cinema under the stars. Families and adults alike can take part in an array of engaging cultural activities, from Catrinas and face-painting to crafts workshops to make one's own Bag Charm. Karaoke nights, cinema under the stars, and other culinary experiences add more variety. Guests are also invited to join spiritual workshops such as God's Eyes dreamcatchers and Milagritos Mexicanos (traditional mixed medium hearts), which highlight the deep-rooted symbolism of Mexican folk traditions. Together, these activities create a celebration that balances cultural authenticity with family-friendly fun, making Día de Muertos at Grand Velas Riviera Maya an unforgettable experience.

Day of the Dead Alter at Casa Velas

At the boutique, adults-only Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta, a beautifully adorned altar will be installed in the lobby terrace, inviting guests to pause, reflect, and honor the memories of loved ones. Decorated with marigolds, candles, and traditional offerings, the altar provides an intimate space to experience the heart of the holiday.

At all of the resorts, guests can savor pan de muerto ("Bread of the Dead") and other traditional food items for the holiday and visit traditional altars that stand as a testament to the event's cultural significance.

All-inclusive rates at the hotels include luxury suite accommodations, a la carte gourmet meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, fitness center, taxes, gratuity and more. Mar del Cabo offers a European plan that includes daily breakfast. Activities are subject to change based on availability and vary based on the resort. For reservations or more information, call 1-888-407-4869, email reservations@velasresorts.com or visit https://www.velasresorts.com.

About Velas Resorts:

Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, and Los Cabos have earned 70 AAA Diamonds, including the prestigious Five Diamond Award. Other esteemed international awards for services and facilities include one MICHELIN Star for Cocina de Autor restaurant in both Los Cabos and Riviera Maya, Virtuoso's Best Family Program, Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award for SE Spa, and TripAdvisor's Top Hotels in the World, among others. Offering unparalleled all-inclusive experiences, properties include Grand Velas Los Cabos, with dramatic ocean views and unique spaces infusing every area of the resort; Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, which enjoys a long stretch of pristine beach and a dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains; and Grand Velas Riviera Maya, offering a sophisticated resort experience in the Caribbean with jungle and beach settings. Velas Vallarta is a family-friendly resort in Puerto Vallarta, offering spacious suites, gourmet dining, and spa treatments with ocean and Sierra Madre views on 10 beachfront acres along Banderas Bay. Casa Velas is a boutique adults-only hotel located on the Marina Vallarta Golf Course where guests have beach access at Táu Beach Club, a casual, relaxed atmosphere overlooking the ocean, with a jacuzzi, pool, delectable cuisine, and an expansive event space. Mar del Cabo, a boutique hotel on Mexico's Baja Peninsula, is the only European Plan property. Opened January 2024, Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos is a new 79-suite resort and concept in the all-inclusive space. Velas Resorts was built by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, Founding President of Velas Resorts. Juan Vela Ruiz is Chief Executive Officer of the company.Explore tips, recipes, lifestyle and travel trends, and the latest news about Velas Resorts on the digital mag: www.velasmagazine.com.

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Media Contact:

Kenzie Johnston
KWE Partners
330.647.8058
kenzie@kwepr.com

SOURCE: Velas Resorts