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8 Reasons You Should Visit Mexico City for Day of the Dead

ByJessie Updated on

Excited to celebrate Day of the Dead in Mexico, but not sure where to go? 

With so many iconic cities like Oaxaca, Patzcuaro, Morelia, and Mexico City, it can feel overwhelming to choose the right one for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I’ve celebrated Día de Muertos in Patzcuaro, Oaxaca, and Mexico City.

And while each city puts on a memorable celebration, Mexico City is my personal favorite and where I think you should go.

It delivers a larger-than-life celebration — vibrant parades, elaborate ofrendas (altars), traditional artwork, and just so many events and things to see! 

Mexico City is also more accessible, better suited for crowds, and offers immersive traditions and celebrations that travelers can respectfully take part in.

If you’re still figuring out if Mexico City is the right fit, here are 8 reasons I think Day of the Dead in Mexico City is the most magical choice!

1. The City is Better Suited to Large Crowds

A giant skeleton sculpture with a blue demon mask, standing in front of a lit-up cathedral in Mexico City during a Day of the Dead celebration. A crowd of people gathers below, many taking photos and enjoying the event.

No matter where in Mexico you go, Day of the Dead brings big-time crowds.

Mexico City has the infrastructure to handle the influx of visitors — wide avenues, various centrally-located neighborhoods, organized events, and public transportation mean less crowding and more breathing room compared to small towns.

I live in Mexico City year-round, and except for the afternoon of the Day of the Dead parade, the city doesn’t feel overly crowded like it does in Patzcuaro or Oaxaca this time of year.

2. It’s Easy To Get To

Aerial view of a mountainous landscape with scattered buildings and winding roads, seen from an airplane window. The aircraft wing is prominently visible in the foreground, with a clear blue sky and faint smog layering the horizon in the distance.

You can fly directly into Mexico City’s international airport — no need for connecting flights, long car rides, or navigating rural transit. 

When we drove from Mexico City to Patzcuaro for the Day of the Dead weekend in 2018, it was a mess. What should have been a 5-hour drive took almost 10 hours. 

I’m not saying there won’t be traffic in Mexico City (there 100% will be), but it’s more avoidable. Especially if you book accommodation close to the celebrations, so you can walk or bike with the city’s public bikeshare system instead of going by Uber. 

3. More Accommodation Options at Competitive Prices

The image shows a serene park scene with a large fountain at its center, featuring a statue of a man. The fountain is surrounded by tall, arching trees that provide ample shade. People can be seen enjoying the park, with one person cycling and another walking nearby, highlighting the park's peaceful and active ambiance.

From boutique B&Bs in Roma Norte to budget hostels in Centro Histórico and big-name hotel chains along Reforma, Mexico City has the most options for places to stay.  

And thanks to the number of accommodations, it’s easier to find something available and at a reasonable price compared to smaller cities with limited (and very expensive) options like Oaxaca.

Every season, I see travelers scrambling to find accommodation in Oaxaca because either they book too late or their Airbnb cancels last minute, leaving them with travel plans but no place to stay.

You’ll find it easier to book accommodation in Mexico City — even last-minute — thanks to the abundance of hotels and hostels.

4. Parades, Ofrendas, and Art Galore

CDMX goes all out with its annual Día de Muertos parade, stunning ofrenda displays, mesmerizing art installations, and themed events across the city.

Besides the world-famous parade, some of my favorite attractions are the life-size alebrijes along Reforma, ofrendas in Centro and museums like Frida Kahlo’s, and the festivities in the Coyoacán neighborhood. 

Mexico City honestly has it all when it comes to Day of the Dead festivities. You will not be missing out.

5. Markets and Street Culture Come Alive

A man with his face painted in a traditional skull design sits on the street during a public celebration. He is surrounded by a small crowd of people, some smiling, while another person appears to be applying face paint.

Local markets are a feast for the eyes in late October — brimming with orange and pink cempasúchil flowers, papel picado, sugar skulls, candles, and seasonal food like sweet pan de muerto. 

Go to Mercado Jamaica to see it all firsthand and even shop for your own altar items or souvenirs. 

It’s where Jorge and I go every season to get decorations for our apartment and our mini ofrenda.

6. Ideal for Solo Travelers and First-Time Visitors

A colorful Day of the Dead altar inside a historic building, decorated with bright pink, orange, and yellow papel picado banners. A woman in casual attire holding a camera stands in the foreground as blurred figures pass by.

With sufficient infrastructure, organized tours, and a larger travel community, Mexico City is an ideal base for navigating Day of the Dead safely and confidently, whether you’re on your own or visiting for the first time.

As a solo traveler, Roma, Condesa, and Centro Histórico are all walkable neighborhoods with plenty of charming cafes and bars where you’ll feel comfortable dining solo.

There are plenty of group tours for you to join, too if you want to explore with other travelers. 

The city is safe and easy to navigate with ride share apps or public transport.

Before moving here, I first visitied Mexico City as a solo-female-traveler and had no issues (I didn’t even speak Spanish at the time). 

I rode the metro, walked around alone, joined some group tours, and had an incredible time all by myself.

7. A More Responsible Way to Experience the Holiday

A large illuminated skeleton sculpture wearing a red hat and playing a guitar, surrounded by a crowd of people at a vibrant Day of the Dead festival. The background features lit-up buildings and festive lighting.

Celebrating in Mexico City allows you to honor and partake in the holiday without intruding on intimate family traditions in smaller towns. 

The city offers immersive but respectful ways to participate, like public parades, elaborate ofrendas, and vibrant street art, that honor the spirit of the holiday without disrupting private moments of mourning.

While cemeteries are typically open to the public and welcome both local and foreign visitors, the atmosphere still calls for quiet respect.

We visited Patzcuaro’s cemetery, and while we did speak to a few locals who were happy to share their stories and for us to take pictures, I felt like we were invading the privacy of others who were there to spend all night with their loved ones who were laid to rest in the cemetery. 

If you decide to visit a cemetery, do so quietly, respectfully, and only take pictures with permission. 

For a deeper, culturally sensitive experience, consider joining an authorized tour that focuses on education and respectful participation.

8. Great Home Base for Day Trips to Traditional Celebrations

Two elaborately decorated altars for Dia de Muertos, adorned with orange marigold flowers, colorful sugar skulls, candles, and various painted figurines, glow warmly in the night.

If you want to explore other Day of the Dead experiences, you can take a day (well, more like a night trip) to Mixquic in the south of CDMX to see a traditional cemetery and the town come to life for Day of the Dead. 

I will warn you, though, the traffic getting there and the crowds in town can be a nightmare, and that’s why I usually just stick to central CDMX celebrations. 

Other nearby cities like Puebla or the Pueblo Mágico, Atlixco, also put on magical Day of the Dead celebrations that are only a couple of hours away if you beat the traffic.

Start planning!

If you were unsure whether Mexico City was the right place to celebrate Day of the Dead, I hope this post has shown you why it deserves a top spot on your list — and it might just be the best choice of all.

Mexico City offers the perfect mix of convenience, culture, and celebrations, making it the ultimate place to experience Día de Muertos.

From the over-the-top parades to the more subtle decorations and colorful exhibitions, Day of the Dead in Mexico City is a one-of-a-kind experience! 

Ready to Celebrate Day of the Dead in Mexico City?

Be sure to check out my next post on the best things to do for Day of the Dead in Mexico City!

Jessie is the creator of An Earthly Paradise. In 2018 she quickly fell for Mexico and has since called Mexico City home. She has traveled to 24 of 32 Mexican states. She helps fellow adventurers plan immersive and unforgettable trips to destinations all across Mexico.