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From Times Online

October 29, 2007

Ask our expert: Mexico's 'Day of the Dead' festival

Francesca Skirvin wants to visit the elaborate ceremonies that include cemetery tours and street parades

A girl and a man dressed as skeleton dance with musicians during a march in Mexico City 01 November 2001 as part of the "Day of the Dead" celebration.

Chris Parrott is Marketing Director of Journey Latin America

Chris Parrott

I would like to travel to Mexico to experience the Dia de Muertos festival on 1st/2nd November. Could you tell me which areas would be best to visit and if anyone runs organised tours or talks in English? Also, I may drive from Los Angeles to Mexico, but i'm struggling to find a car hire company that will allow me to drive over the boarder. Can you help? Francesca Skirvin, by email

Times Online Latin America expert Chris Parrott responds: The two places which are generally considered best for the Day of the Dead are Pátzcuaro and Oaxaca. Pátzcuaro is on the shores of Lake Janitzio, near Morelia – just north of Mexico City. This is a very distinctive local tradition, and the beautiful “butterfly” nets of the local fishermen are much in evidence. However, it’s a very small place, and there’s little chance of finding accommodation at this late stage. Morelia is possible, but it’s about an hour’s drive away.

Oaxaca, a fair distance southwest of Mexico City, is an altogether bigger festival – goes on for about a week, and there should less of an issue with hotels. There are street parades, and the city opens two of its major cemeteries for night viewing -where candlelit vigils are held and the graves are decorated with flowers.

As there is so much going on during the whole week it’s often better to arrange your guide locally, as and when you need one. However, Journey Latin America (020 8747 8315, or 0161 832 1441) could arrange a local English-speaking guide if you’d prefer to pre-book.

Car hire. You’re right. It won’t be easy to arrange to take across the border. You could probably take one car as far as (say) Tijuana, take a taxi across the border, and then arrange with a local Mexican hire company onwards.

Chris Parrott is director of Journey Latin America, the UK's leading Latin America specialist since 1980

Self-guided tours to Oaxaca are easy to arrange. What's needed most during Day of the Dead is the proper attitude and respect.

More details online Planeta.com's guide to Celebrating Day of hte Dead in Mexico
http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/mexico/mexdead.html

Ron Mader, Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico

your hoilday is intersting

kleasha , chattanooga, tennessee