Grand Velas Riviera Maya Pressroom

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (October 15, 2024) - From October 27 to November 5, Velas Resorts will celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with a lineup of vivid authentic Mexican traditions. Offerings range from catrina parades and ofrendas (elaborately adorned display altars) to special culinary experiences, a celebration of Mexican mixology at Mexology Fest, and family-friendly activities with a festive flair. Celebrated annually on November 1st and 2nd, Día de Los Muertos is a deeply cherished Mexican holiday honoring the memories of loved ones who have passed. Traditionally marked by vibrant food, drinks, and ofrendas, the living artfully prepare their loved one's gravesites in hopes of one day reuniting. As part of Velas Resorts' commitment to showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Mexico, these offerings provide guests the unique opportunity to engage with the vibrant traditions and customs that define the beloved Mexican holiday. 

From October 27 to November 5, family-friendly Velas Vallarta will come alive with vibrant Halloween and Day of the Dead celebrations, including calavera (sugar skull) painting, guided tour through artistic Catrinas, Halloween party, and an ancestral culinary dinner complete with a mariachi band. The festivities kick off on October 31 with a Halloween Party at the Kids Club, including a pumpkin painting contest. On November 1st and 2nd, guests can enjoy calavera (little skull) painting in the gardens, creating a personalized take-home piece of one of the most recognized artistic elements of Día de los Muertos. Velas Vallarta will also highlight Mexico's iconic Catrinas, skeleton figures symbolizing the cycle of life and death. Immersive guided tours will invite guests to embrace the holiday's traditions, featuring eight life-sized Catrinas and a traditional Ofrenda de Muertos, arranged to honor and remember loved ones who have passed. Knowledgeable guides will explain the vibrant history and meaning behind each Catrina, adorned with Day of the Dead embellishments. Guests are also encouraged to partake in an ancestral dinner accompanied by a mariachi band. Included in the all-inclusive plan, this tasting-menu celebration will highlight the culinary traditions of the holiday. 

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit will host its second iteration of Mexology Fest, a spirited fusion of Mexico's rich Día de los Muertos traditions and innovative mixology, from October 31 to November 2. Immersive workshops, exclusive tastings, and spirited evenings led by top mixologists and bars are on tap to showcase the resort's re-interpretation of Mexican spirits and signature drinks through the lens of the Catrina. Highlights include a takeover by one of the top 50 Best Bars in North America, a sensorial tasting experience with ingredients not often used in drinks followed by a cocktail workshop, an agave sound bath, and a trip to Tequila, all complemented by Day of the Dead imagery and themes. Mexology Fest is included in the all-inclusive rate for guests staying at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. 

In Baja California Sur, Grand Velas Los Cabos will offer a poolside Catrinas Parade on November 2, a moving and festive experience showcasing the mysticism of the holiday with talented dancers and musicians. Other festivities include mixology classes where guests will learn the preparation of ancestral beverages such as mezcalate, taxcalate, and pozol, and a special Tribute to the Dead menu at the resort's gourmet Mexican restaurant, Frida. At sister property Mar del Cabo, the centerpiece of the celebration is a themed Day of the Dead feast complete with a guided walk up to a thematic altar and lively Catrinas adorning the restaurant. The dinner will be accompanied by live music, traditional decor, and celebratory drinks. 

At Grand Velas Riviera Maya, a traditional Day of the Dead altar will be unveiled on October 30th. Following the theme of the hummingbird, the altar will represent the souls of the deceased that visit and give best wishes to their loved ones on Earth. Throughout the Day of the Dead celebrations, guests are encouraged to visit the altar and write wishes to place on a wishing tree. On Halloween night, Grand Velas Riviera Maya invites families to Trick or Treat around the resort with costumes, make Halloween-themed handicrafts, decorate cupcakes and cookies, and attend a family-friendly "Spooky Cinema" night. Kids and teens up to 15 stay free during the festivities. 

At all of the resorts, guests can savor pan de muerto ("Bread of the Dead") and other traditional food items for the holiday and visit traditional altars that stand as a testament to the event's cultural significance.

Rates start at $208 USD at Velas Vallarta, $507 USD at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, $694 USD at Grand Velas Riviera Maya, and $749 USD at Grand Velas Los Cabos. Rates are per adult per night based on double occupancy. All-inclusive rates include luxury suite accommodations, a la carte gourmet meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, fitness center, taxes, gratuity and more. Mar del Cabo European plan rates start at $315 USD per room per night. Activities are subject to change based on availability and vary based on the resort. For reservations or more information, call 1-888-407-4869, email [email protected] or visit https://www.velasresorts.com.

About Velas Resorts:

Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, and Los Cabos have earned 70 AAA Diamonds, including the prestigious Five Diamond Award. In addition to Grand Velas Los Cabos' receipt of the Five-Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide —the first and only All-Inclusive in Mexico to earn the distinction—other esteemed international awards for services and facilities include one MICHELIN Star for Cocina de Autor restaurants at both Los Cabos and Riviera Maya, Virtuoso's Best Family Program, Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award for SE Spa, and TripAdvisor's Top Hotels in the World, among others. Offering unparalleled All-Inclusive experiences, properties include Grand Velas Los Cabos, with dramatic ocean views and unique spaces infusing every area of the resort; Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, which enjoys a long stretch of pristine beach and a dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains; and Grand Velas Riviera Maya, offering a sophisticated resort experience in the Caribbean with jungle and beach settings. In Puerto Vallarta, Velas Vallarta is a family-friendly resort located on Banderas Bay, and Casa Velas is a boutique adults-only hotel located on the Marina Vallarta Golf Course. Casa Velas' guests have beach access at Táu Beach Club, a casual, relaxed atmosphere overlooking the ocean, with a jacuzzi, pool, delectable cuisine, and an expansive event space. Mar del Cabo, a boutique hotel on Mexico's Baja Peninsula, is the only European Plan property. The adults-only Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos is the most recent hotel and concept. Velas Resorts was built by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, founder of Velas Resorts, with brother Juan Vela Ruiz, vice president of Velas Resorts, by his side. Explore tips, recipes, lifestyle and travel trends, and the latest news about Velas Resorts on the digital mag: www.velasmagazine.com.