Meet the Dead this Halloween!
We are excited to celebrate Halloween this year at Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta. Our beautiful Preserve is going to be transformed into a scary atmosphere and we invite our valued guests and members to come on a terrifying journey.
On October 31st, our regular trolley that transports our guests around Garza Blanca and Hotel Mousai, will turn into a Spooky Trolley complete with Halloween decorations and eerie music. The Spooky Trolley is completely free and available for guests staying at both resorts. It is a unique offering that we are proud to present. The meeting point will be the Garza Blanca Lobby with departures at 7:30, 8:00 and 8:30 pm.
Guests will scream as they encounter spirits from the underworld including several zombies, the exorcist, and the grim reaper. Mexican legends La Llorona and Charro Negro, the black horseman, are also expected to visit and they will turn our resort into an atmosphere of terror! Be warned that the zombies may attempt to climb onto the Spooky Trolley, so be prepared for moments of fear, adrenaline and extreme emotion!
Your terrifying journey will conclude with a haunted walk through a dimly lit corridor and you will get chills as you navigate your way through it. For guests wishing to make the most of Halloween, a special dinner of terror will be offered in a spooky location following the walk through the haunted corridor. The Buffet of Terror is optional and included with the all-inclusive plan. The cost for European plan guests is USD $35.
The Buffet of Terror includes:
- Wizards & Witches soup
- Swamp Leave and Vampire Eyes Station (Salad bar)
- Potions and Spells Station (salad dressing and bread assortment)
- Monster and Worms Hot Station: (risotto, fish, chicken, beef steak and pork tenderloin)
- Terror Dessert Bar
October 31st – Halloween Events in Puerto Vallarta
If you would like to venture into the city, take a stroll down the Malecon in the evening and you will find plenty of locals and tourists dressed in ghoulish costumes, which makes for fascinating people watching.
Starting from 6pm, there will be an Around the Block Costume Contest in the Romantic Zone. To enter visit Blondies at 115 Púlpito, The Swedes Bar and Bistro at 154 Púlpito and final judging will take place at 11:00 pm at Anonimo Video Bar PV located at 157 Rodolfo Gomez. Prizes to be won.
The main events in Puerto Vallarta happening around Halloween are the Day of the Dead Festivities. From October 31st until November 3rd there will be plenty of cultural and artistic activities going on in Puerto Vallarta as it celebrates the Day of the Dead Festival. Come and be a part of the incredible atmosphere, full of parades, folkloric dancers, traditional Mexican cuisine and altar exhibitions throughout downtown.
What is the Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos?
The Day of the Dead is a time to honor and remember loved ones who have died. The spirits are allowed to visit earth from the underworld for one night of the year to meet with their friends and relatives. November 1st is considered Day of the Innocents (Día de los Inocentes) or Day of the Little Angels (Día de los Angelitos), it is a holiday to honor dead children and infants. November 2 is All Souls’ Day (Día de los Difuntos) and this is the day to remember adults who have passed away.
While this celebration revolves around death, it is not as gloomy as it sounds. In fact is a happy time. A time to celebrate and remember souls who have passed and live on in our memories and to honor them with a special celebration.
The Traditions
In most of Mexico’s towns and cities, there are multiple days of festivities starting on October 31st and continuing until November 3rd. It’s a time when the cities comes to life with parades and exhibitions and many people come to join in the celebrations. You can find literally hundreds of locals and tourists dressed as living Catrines and Catrinas.
The origins of this celebration date back hundreds of years to the Aztec tradition and was originally a festival to celebrate the Queen of the Underworld. After the Spanish conquest and the influence of the Catholic church, this festival became the Day of the Dead and is represented today by the Queen of the underworld, Calavera Catrina. She is a skeleton dressed in fine clothing that features in many paintings.
The Day of the Dead traditions include building special commemorative altars called ofrendas that are decorated and covered in marigolds, Mexican fairs with food stalls, workshops, plays, folkloric dancers and pre-Hispanic shows to name a few.
One of the most important rituals of the Day of the Dead celebrations takes place in the cemeteries. Friends and relatives honor departed loved ones by bringing items such as candles, incense, confetti, photographs and flowers to their graves. They also place offerings on the altars which are things that their family members enjoyed in life such as their favorite foods, perhaps some liquor or cigars. Sugar skulls are another common element that feature on the altars as well as a sweet bread called dead bread (pan de muerto) and it is only made around this time of year. All these items have significance; the food and drinks offer sustenance to the visiting dead giving them enough energy to return to the underworld, while the candles light the way for the souls to return home. The flowers are a sign of love and respect and the photographs form a tribute.
To honor this beautiful tradition, Garza Blanca Preserve and Hotel Mousai, make a tribute for those who “are no longer with us” and offers an exhibition of altars in different locations at both hotels. Each department of the hotel is responsible for the assembly and decor. These altars can be found around the resort from November 1st to 3rd.
We invite you to come and celebrate two wonderful traditions. Join us for a frightening journey on our Spooky Trolley followed by a special buffet of terror dinner and on November 1st come to our magnificent altar exhibition. If you would like to join in the festivities of the Day of the Dead Festival happening around the city, you can find a comprehensive listing below.
Day of the Dead Festival, Events Listings, Puerto Vallarta, 2019
There are a few places not to miss if you plan on Celebrating Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos while you are in Mexico, including:
October 25th
Art exhibition and Party in Pilita’s street.
Free entrance!
Live Performance of the children’s Mariachi ’Raiz Jaliscience’. Costume contest for the best catrin or catrina. Altars of the dead, handmade Skulls and art exhibition allusive to death.
Art Vallarta, 213 Pilitas street (Romantic Zone)
From 6pm to 9pm
October 31st
“Panolt’ Day of the Dead Circuit
Altar of the dead exhibition, guided tours, monologue and various workshops.
Hidalgo Park
All day
Mural art ‘Tribute to Death’
Outer fences of the Cemetery on 5 de diciembre street (5th of December street)
All day
Day of the Dead display (made of sawdust).By CUCosta University
Calle Independencia (Independence street)
All day
Day of the Dead display (made of sawdust).By CUCosta University
Allende Street and Malecon
All day
Day of the Dead display (made of sawdust).By CUCosta University
In front of Los Arcos Amphitheater (Palm zone)
All day
Day of the Dead display (made of sawdust).By CUCosta University
Lazaro Cardenas Park (Romantic Zone)
All day
Interactive Pantheon (Exhibition from October 31st to November 11th)
Main Square
All day
Exhibition of Catrinas and Catrines in palm trees/Exhibition of Altars of the Dead (This exhibition will be from October 31st to November 11th)
Malecon
All Day
Skulls exhibition “Mexicraneos”.
Main Square
From 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Guided engravings in the interactive Cemetery
Main Square
From 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Theater play “Night of the Alebrijes” by Georgina Escobar
“Art Vallarta” 213 Pilitas street (Romantic Zone)
1:00 pm
Workshops: confetti, paper flowers, crowns, offerings and skulls.
Main Square
From 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Official opening of the Day of the Dead Festival 2019
Live Performance of the children’s Mariachi “Raiz Jaliscience” / Fragment of the play “Coco”
Malecon (in front of the lighthouse)
6:00 pm
Performance of the artist Zoe Morales
Hula-hula hoop and aerial ballet
Malecon
6:00 pm
Performance by Alu Lopez
Los Arcos Amphitheater
6:00 pm
Kermes (Mexican Celebration with food stalls) “La Catrina Mexicana”
Main Square
6:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Performance of the musical group JOFESTH
Los Arcos Amphitheater
7:00 pm
Storytelling “Myths and Legends of the Port”.
Main Square
From 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Presentation of the pianist Ivan Zamora
Los Arcos Amphitheater
8:00 pm
Malecon walking parade “The Charra Death ”
Starts at the Malecon and concludes at Los Arcos Amphitheater
9:00 pm
Performance of singer Karla Yolanda
The brave voice of Vallarta
Los Arcos Amphitheater
9:00 pm
November 1st
Storytelling “Myths and Legends of the Port”.
Main Square
From 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Exhibition of Catrinas and Catrines in palm trees/Exhibition of Altars of the Dead (This exhibition will be from October 31st to November 11th)
Malecon
All Day
Parade of living Catrines and Catrinas
By the Cecytej School
Hidalgo Park, IPEJAL field (in front of the stadium)
5:30 pm
Festival of Altarsby Cecytej
Altars of the Dead exhibition, Mexican celebration with food stalls, folkloric ballet presentations and living exhibition of catrines and catrinas.
IPEJAL field in front of the stadium
6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Performance of the artist Zoe Morales
Hula-hula hoop and aerial ballet Malecon
6:00 pm
Kermes (Mexican Celebration with food stalls) “La Catrina Mexicana”
Main Square
6:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Performance “Mictlan”
Performance of the pre-Hispanic dance group Tlalocan
Cuale River Island
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Day of the Dead 2019 Festival
Las Palmas Main Square
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Tasting of dead bread
Lazaro Cardenas Park
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Sample of the play “Night of the Alebrijes” by Georgina Escobar
Los Arcos Amphitheater
6:45 pm
Theater play “Night of the Alebrijes” by Georgina Escobar
Art Vallarta, 213 Pilitas street (Romantic Zone)
7:00 pm
Performance of Janet with Saxophone
Los Arcos Amphitheater
7:00 pm
Performance of the Folkloric Ballet Tradition
Los Arcos Amphitheater
8:00 pm
Folkloric ballet Xiutla
Presentation allusive to death
Lazaro Cardenas Park
8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Day of the Dead 2019 Festival
Las Mojoneras Main Square
8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Performance of the singer Omar Coronel, the voice of Juan Gabriel
Los Arcos Amphitheater
9:00 pm
Performance of the Vallarta singer Armando Silva
Los Arcos Amphitheater
10:00 pm
November 2nd
1st Free Tour with Tourist Guide
Explanation and Review of the Day of the Dead
Cemetery on 5 de diciembre street (5 of December)
9:00 am
2nd Free Tour with Tourist Guide
Explanation and Review of the Day of the Dead
Cemetery on 5 de diciembre street (5 of December)
10:00 am
Skulls exhibition “Mexicraneos”.
Main Square
From 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Guided engravings in the interactive Cemetery
Main Square
From 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
3rd Free Tour with Tourist Guide
Explanation and Review of the Day of the Dead
Cemetery on 5 de diciembre street (5 of December)
12:00 pm
Presentation of Mariachi and live singers
Cemetery on 5 de diciembre street (5 of December)
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
4th Free Tour with Tourist Guide
Explanation and Review of the Day of the Dead
Cemetery on 5 de diciembre street (5 of December)
1:00 pm
Street party at Los Muertos Brewing
Presentation of artists, live bands and mariachi
Constitution Street in the Emiliano Zapata neighborhood
From 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Exhibition of Altars of Dead
By the Union of Urban Property Owners of Puerto Vallarta. A.C.
Square of lturbide Street, downtown
All day
Altars of Dead Exhibition
Exterior corridors of City Hall
All day
“Panolt” Day of the Dead Circuit
Altar of Dead Exhibition, guided tours, monologue and various art workshops Hidalgo Park
All day
Mural art “Tribute to Death’
Outer fences of the Cemetery on 5 de diciembre street (5th of December street)
All day
Day of the Dead display (made of sawdust).By CUCosta University
Calle Independencia (Independence street)
All day
Day of the Dead display (made of sawdust).By CUCosta University
Allende Street and Malecon
All day
Day of the Dead display (made of sawdust).By CUCosta University
In front of Los Arcos Amphitheater (Palm zone)
All day
Day of the Dead display (made of sawdust).By CUCosta University
Lazaro Cardenas Park (Romantic Zone)
All day
Exhibition of Catrinas and Catrines in palm trees/Exhibition of Altars of the Dead (This exhibition will be from October 31st to November 11th)
Malecon
All Day
Interactive Pantheon (Exhibition from October 31st to November 11th)
Main Square
All day
Traditional Parade ‘Death is Alive
From Cemetery on 5 de diciembre street (5th of December street) to Lazaro Cardenas Park
5:00 pm
Kermes (Mexican Celebration with food stalls) “La Catrina Mexicana”
Main Square
6:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Workshops: confetti, paper flowers, crowns, offerings and skulls.
Main Square
From 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Musical intervention (Mariachi)
By the music selective of Tec Vallarta.
Los Arcos Amphitheater
6:30 pm
Theater play “Night of the Alebrijes” by Georgina Escobar
Art Vallarta, 213 Pilitas street (Romantic Zone)
7:00 pm
Performance “Mictlan”
Performance of the pre-Hispanic dance group Tlalocan
Cuale River Island
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
4th festival of Day of the Dead
Ixtapa’s Main Square
7:00 pm
Storytelling “Myths and Legends of the Port”.
Main Square
From 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Musical presentation “Singing to death”
Lazaro Cardenas Park (Romantic Zone)
7:00 pm
Tasting of dead bread
Activity of the Vallartense Institute of Culture and Don Chonito Bakery
Malecon (in front of the lighthouse)
From 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Artistic presentation by the selective Dance of Tec Vallarta.
Los Arcos Amphitheater
7:30 pm
Folkloric ballet Xiutla
Presentation allusive to death
Lazaro Cardenas Park (Romantic Zone)
8:00 pm
Presentation of theater play by Tec Vallarta.
Los Arcos Amphitheater
8:30 pm
Live performance of the children’s Mariachi ‘Raiz Jalisciense’
Lazaro Cardenas Park (Romantic Zone)
9:00 pm
Performance of the folkloric ballet of Aguascalientes Mixcoatl
Los Arcos Amphitheater
9:30 pm
November 3rd
Exhibition of Altars of Dead By the Union of Urban Property Owners of Puerto Vallarta. A.C.
Square of lturbide Street, downtown
All day
Altars of Dead Exhibition
Exterior corridors of City Hall
All day
“Panolt” Day of the Dead Circuit Altar of Dead Exhibition, guided tours, monologue and various art workshops
Hidalgo Park
All day
Mural art “Tribute to Death’
Outer fences of the Cemetery on 5 de diciembre street (5th of December street)
All day
Day of the Dead display (made of sawdust).By CUCosta University
Calle Independencia (Independence street)
All day
Day of the Dead display (made of sawdust).By CUCosta University
Allende Street and Malecon
All day
Day of the Dead display (made of sawdust).By CUCosta University
In front of Los Arcos Amphitheater (Palm zone)
All day
Day of the Dead display (made of sawdust).By CUCosta University
Lazaro Cardenas Park (Romantic Zone)
All day
Interactive Pantheon (Exhibition from October 31st to November 11th)
Main Square
All day
Skulls exhibition “Mexicraneos”
Main Square
From 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Guided engravings in the interactive Cemetery
Main Square
From 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Workshops: confetti, paper flowers, crowns, offerings and skulls.
Main Square
From 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Storytelling “Myths and Legends of the Port”.
Main Square
From 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Exhibition of Catrinas and Catrines in palm trees/Exhibition of Altars of the Dead (This exhibition will be from October 31st to November 11th)
Malecon
All Day
Performance of the artist Zoe Morales
Hula-hula hoop and aerial ballet Malecon
6:00 pm
Theater play “Night of the Alebrijes” by Georgina Escobar
Art Vallarta, 213 Pilitas street (Romantic Zone)
7:00 pm
Kermes (Mexican Celebration with food stalls) “La Catrina Mexicana”
Main Square
6:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Performance of the Salty Paw Jazz Combo Orchestra
Los Arcos Amphitheater
6:00 pm
Performance of singer All Lopez
Los Arcos Amphitheater
7:00 pm
Performance of Folkloric ballet traditions
Los Arcos Amphitheater
8:00 pm
Performance of a musical show by the ‘ALAS’ School
Los Arcos Amphitheater
9:00 pm
Performance “Mictlan”
Performance of the pre-Hispanic dance group Tlalocan
Lazaro Cardenas Park
8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
