Day of the Dead in Puerto Morelos 2026: Día de Muertos & Janal Pixan Events
If you’ll be in Puerto Morelos in late October or early November, you’re arriving for one of the most beautiful and culturally significant times of the year in Mexico: Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
And here in Puerto Morelos, the celebration has its own special character.
In addition to Día de Muertos traditions found throughout Mexico, our location in the Yucatán Peninsula means you’ll also have the opportunity to experience Janal Pixan, the traditional Maya observance honoring loved ones who have passed away.
We’ve talked directly with organizers of this year’s events and are bringing you the latest information, hot off the presses! Plans are still developing, so bookmark this page and check back as we continue adding details.
What is Día de Muertos?
Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican tradition that honors and celebrates loved ones who have passed away. Families welcome their memory through colorful altars, flowers, candles, favorite foods and other offerings, celebrating death as part of the continuing cycle of life.
While Día de Muertos is celebrated throughout Mexico, traditions vary significantly from one region and community to another.
What is Janal Pixan?
Janal Pixan, meaning “food for the souls,” is a Maya tradition in the Yucatán Peninsula. Similar to Día de Muertos, families honor and welcome the souls of loved ones who have passed by preparing altars with traditional foods, candles, flowers, photographs and other offerings. But Janal Pixan is focused on the Mayan cosmovision, the agricultural cycles, and focusing on homemade items for the ritual, such as embroidered textiles, jicaras (dried gourds used as dishes), and homemade candles. The tradition is more solemn and spiritual, and involves sitting to have meals with the souls of loved ones who have returned on these special dates.
In Puerto Morelos and nearby Leona Vicario, these Maya traditions are incorporated into community celebrations that include ceremonies, processions, altars, traditional clothing, music and food.
If you’re visiting the Riviera Maya during Día de Muertos, experiencing Janal Pixan offers an opportunity to learn more about the living Maya culture of this region, rather than seeing Day of the Dead as one single tradition practiced identically throughout Mexico.
Janal Pixan 2026 in Puerto Morelos: Mar de Almas
This year, Puerto Morelos will celebrate Janal Pixan 2026 with Mar de Almas, with festivities planned for October 24 and November 1–2.
Expect ceremonies, cultural events, Catrinas, alebrijes, decorated boats, processions, contests, music and plenty of color throughout the celebration.
Puerto Morelos’ procession of decorated boats is an especially distinctive part of the local festivities. In previous years, vessels decorated with flowers, altars and offerings have traveled along the Caribbean coast as part of the community’s commemoration.
Saturday, October 24: Opening Night in Puerto Morelos
Save Saturday, October 24 for the opening of the 2026 Janal Pixan festivities in Puerto Morelos.
Events begin at 6:00 PM with a Maya ceremony at the pier beside the leaning lighthouse, one of Puerto Morelos’ most recognizable landmarks.
The evening is expected to include:
- Maya opening ceremony
- Procession of canoes on the Caribbean Sea
- Catrina and Catrín costume competition
- Handmade Catrina and alebrije competition
- Monumental Catrina competition
- Decorated storefront competition
- Decorated boat competition
- Videomapping outside the Centro Cultural y Museo de Puerto Morelos
- Cultural activities and more
If you are planning a Puerto Morelos vacation around Día de Muertos, October 24 is a date to add to your itinerary.
Janal Pixan in Leona Vicario: October 30
For a different experience, make the trip inland from Puerto Morelos along the Ruta de los Cenotes to the community of Leona Vicario on Friday, October 30.
The Janal Pixan celebration in Leona Vicario offers visitors the opportunity to experience traditions in a community with strong Maya roots.
Activities are expected to include a walking procession from the cemetery to the main square, the blessing of the altar with a Maya ceremony, cultural activities and competitions for altars, Catrinas, Catrines and handmade Catrinas and alebrijes.
Similar celebrations in Leona Vicario have incorporated traditional embroidered clothing, Maya ceremonies, regional music and foods placed as offerings on the altars.
If you are visiting Puerto Morelos during Day of the Dead, we think this one is well worth the drive or the colectivo ride down the Ruta de los Cenotes.
Entre Dos Mundos: A Día de Muertos Show at La Sirena
There’s another special Día de Muertos experience happening in Puerto Morelos this year.
On October 31 and November 1, La Sirena Puerto Morelos will present Entre Dos Mundos (Between Two Worlds), an immersive live production exploring the history, spirituality and symbolism of Día de Muertos.
The 50-minute performance unfolds in three acts using ritual dance, original music, handmade costumes and visual storytelling. It traces the tradition from ancient rituals associated with Mictlán through the meeting of Indigenous and Spanish cultures and into the Día de Muertos celebrated in Mexico today.
Performances take place at 7:00 PM on:
October 31, 2026
November 1, 2026
There are only 50 seats available per performance. Adult tickets are $800 MXN, children’s tickets are $400 MXN for ages 12 and under, and adult admission includes a welcome drink. You can purchase tickets here.
For visitors who want to learn more about Día de Muertos while enjoying a night out in Puerto Morelos, Entre Dos Mundos offers a very different experience from the community Janal Pixan festivities.
November 1 & 2: Janal Pixan Continues in Puerto Morelos
The main Janal Pixan festivities continue in Puerto Morelos on Sunday, November 1 and Monday, November 2.
November 1 activities are scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM with a sacred Maya fire ceremony, followed by a procession of decorated boats on the Caribbean Sea and a walking procession around the town square.
Across the two evenings, planned activities also include contest awards, videomapping outside the museum, a traditional Maya wedding, cultural programming, a concert and more.
The combination of Maya tradition with Puerto Morelos’ seaside setting makes these evenings particularly special. During previous celebrations, thousands of locals and visitors have gathered to watch the maritime procession and participate in events throughout the Casco Antiguo.
Visiting Puerto Morelos for Day of the Dead
If you’re deciding when to visit Puerto Morelos, late October through early November is an especially interesting time to be here.
Rather than experiencing Día de Muertos only as a tourist attraction, visitors can see how traditions are practiced and shared within the communities of Puerto Morelos and Leona Vicario.
Please remember that Día de Muertos and Janal Pixan are not Mexican versions of Halloween. Although you’ll see elaborate Catrina makeup, skeleton imagery and colorful decorations, these traditions center on remembrance, family, ancestry and maintaining a connection with those who have died.
Visitors are welcome to enjoy the public celebrations, take photographs where appropriate, support local businesses and artisans, and learn about the traditions being shared.
Save the Dates: Día de Muertos in Puerto Morelos 2026
October 24 – Opening Janal Pixan / Mar de Almas festivities in Puerto Morelos, beginning at 6:00 PM
October 30 – Janal Pixan celebration in Leona Vicario
October 31 – Entre Dos Mundos at La Sirena, 7:00 PM
November 1 – Janal Pixan festivities in Puerto Morelos beginning at 6:00 PM + Entre Dos Mundos at La Sirena at 7:00 PM
November 2 – Janal Pixan festivities continue in Puerto Morelos
More details and complete schedules are expected as Día de Muertos gets closer, so save this page. Experience Puerto Morelos will continue updating this guide as new information is released.
Want to learn more about Janal Pixan? Check out the Yucatán Today website for more details.
Planning your trip? Explore more local events, restaurants, activities and things to do in Puerto Morelos right here on Experience Puerto Morelos.
