Once again, our departed loved ones come back to life in Mexico thanks to the Day of the Dead celebration, a tradition that traces its origins to pre-Hispanic cultures that lived many years ago. Despite having a more traditional format in other parts of Mexico like Pátzcuaro, Michoacan, due to the tourist nature of Puerto Vallarta, the Day of the Dead takes on a different form, becoming a celebration open to international interpretations.
Over the years, the destination has seen an increase in its population's diversity, with new residents and long-term visitors becoming participants in this event. They contribute to the creation of altars, offerings, catrinas (skeleton figures), statues, and costumes, allowing people from different cultures to enjoy these days of connection with the afterlife.
The Day of the Dead celebration in Puerto Vallarta is mainly held in the Malecon/Romantic Zone areas. In these locations, attendees and locals alike gather to admire beautiful altars dedicated to various celebrities, family members, and pets of the local residents, all adorned with vibrant colors and food, waiting to be enjoyed by their departed loved ones when they come back to life.
Different catrinas and skull statues, created by people from various places and nationalities, are also displayed. An interesting fact about the tallest catrina built in Puerto Vallarta is that, for the second consecutive year, it has broken the Guinness World Record as the tallest catrina in the world, standing at 28.15 meters in height, a source of pride and admiration!
The event featured performances by different artists related to this celebration, all dressed in stunning outfits and makeup in line with this day of colors and skulls.
Last but not least, various dishes and foods were sold at the stalls set up in the park in front of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. The kiosk at the center of the park was also decorated with colors, flowers, and a small altar for attendees to take photos to commemorate the
night of celebration. This encapsulates the highlights of this year's Day of the Dead celebration. Typically, catrinas and altars remain on display for a few days in the Malecon/Romantic Zone. Throughout the week, citizens will move around the city's classic area each night until these works are dismantled, marking the end of the fall season and preparing for December celebrations.
Day of the Dead is a very special festival for Mexicans. Our culture has taught us to be close-knit as a family, but part of the cycle of life is saying goodbye when the times deem it necessary. It is inevitable not to feel sorrow or pain for those who leave our lives due to death, but this celebration embraces that feeling. Our loved ones may be gone, but they continue to live within us—small memories, gestures, and attitudes. What surrounds us shapes us as individuals, and essentially, the people around us are capable of leaving their identity in us, just as we once did in them. Day of the Dead is not just a celebration to honor those who are no longer with us in life; it is a way to remember the people who were important in our lives, individuals who once played a part in our story.
It is often said that to remember is to live again, and memories are the last things to die in this life. Never stop honoring those who were significant to us; they live on in us. What better way to celebrate what they once were than to keep remembering them and continue living for them.
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