For anyone who has experienced the Day of the Dead in Mexico, they understand how important this celebration is—one that combines tradition, spirituality, and culture. It is something that truly must be experienced in person.
The celebration has pre-Hispanic roots; some Mesoamerican ethnic groups, including the Mexica, worshipped the gods that were in charge of the fate of souls. In Mictlan, the underworld, or place of the dead, souls had to overcome a series of obstacles in order to reach eternal rest. As a means of helping the souls on their journey, relatives performed rituals that involved weeping and the burial or cremation of the body along with personal items.
With the arrival of the Europeans, this ritual merged with their celebration of the dead, giving rise to the festivities as we know them today. Here’s how you can take part in this celebration with Princess Hotels:
• Princess Hotels Riviera Maya has a special program for guests to first celebrate Halloween and put on their best costume—and then experience an authentic Mexican celebration on the Day of the Dead, for a double celebration!
Day of the Dead celebration at Princess Hotels & Resorts (Photo Credit: Princess Hotels & Resorts)
• In Grand Riviera and Sunset Princess, Halloween will see pumpkin decorating, a special piñata, trick-or-treating, a party, a costume contest and a horror show. Following that, experience a pre-Hispanic dance on November 1 and Marimba and Folklore Fiesta on November 2.
• At Platinum Yucatan Princess, local collaborators will create elaborate altars representing different regions of the country. Guests will appreciate first-hand the elements that make up these tributes. That evening, there will be a complete change of atmosphere; La Catrina will parade to the accompaniment of a Mariachi troupe, offering the perfect opportunity to take pictures and dance with her.
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