Noche de Muertos in Michoacan-Hacienda Porumbo

For general information on day of the dead please click on this post: day of the dead.

Dia de muertos is a big tourist attraction in Michoacan. The Patzcuaro Lake region is well known for the cultural events that take place around the candle lit cemeteries on November 1st. If you are considering partaking in this annual event, start by checking out Visit Patzcuaro.com here for up to date information on Day of the Dead activities. Morelia also has events although if you are looking for the all night vigil at the cemetery you will be disappointed as the local municipal cemetery is closed around 11pm on the night of November 1st. This blogger does recommend visiting the lake region on that night and for a one of the kind experience I suggest my readers consider staying at Hacienda Porumbo (here is the link to their Facebook page). Every year they hold a mezcal tasting event and this year it was held a day after noche de muertos on November 2nd at the Hacienda.

Hacienda Porumbo is a 18th century ex-hacienda that has been lovingly restored by the Torres family. The hacienda offers spaces for groups and families, with two cabins with views of Lake Patzucaro, each cabin is fully furnished, with a fireplace, comfortable beds, water heaters for hot showers, and fully equipped kitchen. There are also individual rooms available for rent. To get to Hacienda Porumbo by car, head towards Erongaricuaro from Patzcuaro and turn left on the highway that goes to Pichataro. Approximately three kilometers you will see a dirt road to the left and that is the entrance to Hacienda Porumbo. Staying at Hacienda Porumbo is a great way to get a feeling for what the Patzucaro region is like while being able to explore the area by foot, horseback, public buses or car. The hacienda is close to many villages and towns that celebrate noche de muertos  I visited the Arocutin cemetary on November 1st. The cemetary is small but very representative of what this event is all about: remembering the dead with love and dedication. Click here to see my pictures from this year's noche de muertos!

Noche de Muertos Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead or Dia de Muertos, is a celebration of prehispanic orgins observed in the villages and towns of Michoacan. October 31st is dedicated to the remember the souls of children that have passed on and November 1st adults who have died.  Michoacan is not the only state where these dates are celebrated, Oaxaca, Puebla, and Mexico State to name some and each have their own traditions although they do share similar characteristics. For more general information on Day of the Dead, visit wikipedia and Mary J. Andrade's Day of the Dead website. 

Day of the Dead: Oaxaca

Thousands of years ago, humans all over the world were establishing traditions by making offerings and performing rituals at the time of year when the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer. In Mexico these traditions are still a part of its modern day culture, drawing in thousands, if not more, tourists from all over the world to witness the Day of the Dead altars and traditions. Ecuadorian born photographer and author Mary J. Andrade wrote the 1999 bilingual book Dia de los Muertos Oaxaca/Day of the Dead Oaxaca and it is a great resource for anyone who is interested in learning about the Day of the Dead customs, history and traditions. 

Published by Andrade's husband's La Oferta Review Newspaper, Andrade provides her reader with a peak into how this day is celebrated and left this reader in particular wanting to know more; to visit Oaxaca and smell the autumn air that blows through the towns that observe the pre-hispanic and Catholic mixed traditions that are unique to Dia de los Muertos. Setting the scene for the Central Valleys way of celebrating  Andrade writes on page 25 "one of the traditions with the longest history is the celebration of Day of the Dead. This celebration is one of the oldest and lasts several days before and after Novemeber 2nd, depending on the town and its location in the Central Valley." She continues by explaining the particular importance of Day of the Dead in Oaxaca "in fact Day of the Dead...should be deemed Week of the Dead. Eight days prior to the traditional appointed date...the city's main market...bursts with articles and condiments needed for the celebration..."Oaxaca is just one of the many regions in Mexico where Day of the Dead is observed. 


To get a real feel for Dia de Muertos planning a trip to Oaxaca, Michoacan or Morelos  at the end of October is a great way to go. The next best thing is to read Mary J. Andrade's Dia de Muertos en Mexico series available for sale at her website 


Watch the Youtube video at the end of this post filmed last year in Oaxaca City of the artwork laid out  on the ground outside of the cathedral. And for more information on where to stay in Michoacan for Dia de Muertos click here. Come back soon to get updated information on Day of the Dead activities and recommendations!