Día de Los Muertos at Garza Blanca

Día de Los Muertos is a fascinating Mexican holiday that honors and respects loved ones who have passed on before us. In Puerto Vallarta and throughout Mexico, Día de Los Muertos festivities will begin on October 31st and last through November 2nd.

Known as “Day of the Dead” in English, Día de Los Muertos celebrations are a wonderful time for family members to gather together to pay homage to loved ones who have passed away. Altars, which are called “ofrendas” in Spanish, are built in homes and at gravesites since they are believed to help safely guide the deceased on their spiritual journey into the afterlife.

Keep reading below to learn more about Día de Los Muertos, and how Garza Blanca staff members participate in an altar competition on the property that embraces the culture of Mexico and respects this incredible tradition. 

During these three days in Puerto Vallarta and around Mexico, you may see processions of family and friends walking to graveyards to visit loved ones who have passed on. There, they will decorate and adorn headstones with candles and gifts and also place favorite foods and drinks on altars in remembrance of the deceased.

Did you know that some people believe that the souls of the deceased return at midnight to spend the day with their families once more? Because of this, Día de Los Muertos is a time of celebration where everyone is reunited once again. A beautiful tradition that honors the dead, it is also a way to celebrate life as well. 

A special time for families and friends to come together to remember those who have passed on, Garza Blanca also participates in celebrating this special date onsite at the Garza Blanca property. Día de Los Muertos altars, known as “ofrendas” in Spanish, are intricately constructed and personalized to reflect things that the deceased loved.

Altars are typically decorated with “calaveras” or skulls, bright and beautiful aztec marigold flowers, and favorite foods and beverages of the departed. The centerpiece of the altar is a photo of the loved one, and families will spend many hours and sometimes stay overnight at the altar site talking about and remembering their loved one.

At Garza Blanca, staff members come together in a friendly competition to see who can build the best altar. If you are staying onsite or live in one of Garza Blanca’s exclusive beachfront residences, make sure to cast your vote for which altar you like best. Altars can be found throughout the property in the main lobby, near the pool, and at the onsite restaurants. Which altar do you like best and why? 

There, you will find large scale altars created by various schools and other local organizations. In addition, there will be a street party known as Fiesta en la Calle held outside Los Muertos Brewing Company on Lazaro Cardenas and Calle Constitución. The 7th annual Fiesta en la Calle will be a family friendly event held on Saturday, November 2nd, 2019 from 1pm to 11pm featuring live entertainment and food and drink specials. The lively and upbeat ambiance and experience is something residents and visitors alike will enjoy to attend.

Make sure to check out the incredible altars onsite at Garza Blanca this year for Día de los Muertos. Take time to appreciate the detail and thought that goes into each ofrenda, and cast your vote to help pick a winner. Do you live full time in a luxury beachfront residence at Garza Blanca, or have a second home at the property? If so, you can even create your own altar in your home to join in on this sentimental and endearing tradition that honors loved ones that have passed on.