Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
Group sizeUp to 26 travelers
Overview
On October 31 and November 1, Oaxaca's cemeteries fill with candles, marigolds and music: families spend the night beside their loved ones' graves to welcome them back. In Santa María Atzompa, a pottery village just outside the city, that vigil is lived with an intensity that is hard to forget.
This night experience takes you there with a local guide who explains, before you enter and as you walk among the graves, what each element means: the path of flowers, the copal incense, the pan de muerto, the portraits and the food offered to those who are gone. You will see families keeping vigil, often a brass band playing among the tombs and the whole village turned into a candlelit celebration.
After the visit, the group heads to El Trapiche restaurant for a seasonal buffet dinner, then returns to downtown Oaxaca.
Optional before departure: catrina or catrín face painting at the meeting point (paid separately).
It runs only two nights a year, so seats are limited.
What's included
Local guide
Round-trip transport in an air-conditioned van
Buffet dinner at El Trapiche restaurant
Face painting (paid at the meeting point)
Gratuities
Any entrance fees not mentioned
What to expect
Oaxaca
1h 30m
Santa María Atzompa Municipal Cemetery, in a pottery village just outside the city. Guided walk among the graves lit by candles and marigolds: your local guide explains the flower path, copal incense, pan de muerto, portraits and the food offered to the departed, while families keep vigil and often a brass band plays among the tombs.
Oaxaca
1h 30m
Seasonal buffet dinner at El Trapiche restaurant after the cemetery visit (30-minute transfer by van). Afterwards, return to downtown Oaxaca; the experience ends at the Zócalo.
Meeting and pickup
Meeting point
Look for the Capotlán Tours staff in uniform at Independencia 312, downtown Oaxaca. Please arrive 15 minutes early.
End point
The tour ends at the Zócalo of Oaxaca (downtown) around 11:30 p.m.
Additional information
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Not suitable for people with reduced mobility (uneven ground and low lighting in the cemetery)
Arrive 15 minutes before departure time
Face painting starts at 6:30 p.m. and is paid separately
The cemetery is a place of mourning for local families: please be respectful, keep your voice low and do not use flash
Runs only on October 31 and November 1
Children are welcome when accompanied by an adult
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
