Casa de las Palmas
A private slice of paradise where the sun rises on your perfect vacation and sets on fun, comfort and unforgettable memories.
Every year, as October fades into November, Mexico lights up with a kind of beauty that feels older than time. Families sweep cemeteries, decorate graves with marigolds, candles and mementos, and fill the night air with the scent of copal and bread fresh from the oven.
It’s Día de los Muertos – the Day of the Dead, and it’s not about mourning. It’s about memory, love, and the sweet, unshakable belief that death doesn’t end the party.
Across the country, people prepare for it in their own ways. Altars in homes and shop windows honor the departed. Candles flicker beside photos of loved ones. Their favorite foods, a bottle of tequila, a cigarette, or a small toy to remind the returning souls that they’ve not been forgotten.
And then there’s Isla Mujeres, where the holiday shines in true island style.
At the end of October, the island transforms into a glowing stage for Luz y Vida: Entre Vivos y Muertos, a celebration that mixes Mexican traditions, Mayan spirituality, and a whole lot of island spirit. It’s equal parts remembrance, art, and pure magic.
Altars, or ofrendas, are the heart of it all. Water to quench the spirits’ thirst after their long journey. Papel picado fluttering in the breeze, representing the wind. Pan de muerto for the earth. Candles for fire, guiding the way back to the world of the living. And always marigolds… bright as sunlight, fragrant as memory, believed to lead the souls home.
And of course, there’s La Catrina, the elegant lady of the dead herself.
She started out as satire in 1910. José Guadalupe Posada’s playful jab at Mexico’s obsession with wealth and European fashion.
Diego Rivera made her famous — naming her La Catrina and painting her at the center of his grand mural, “Dream of a Sunday Afternoon” in Alameda Park. Over time, she evolved into an icon of equality, grace and a reminder that death is the one party where everyone’s invited.
On Isla Mujeres, she becomes living art. During the festival you’ll see her everywhere, strolling through the streets during processions and dancing to island rhythms with knowing smile as if to say, “Life’s short, darling. Dress accordingly.”
While Día de los Muertos is celebrated all across Mexico, the Yucatán Peninsula adds its own layer of meaning through the ancient Mayan tradition of Hanal Pixán, “the food of souls.” It’s a name that says everything.
Here, food is the language of remembrance. Families prepare special dishes like Pibipollo (a tamale-like pie). Altars bloom with not just flowers but with personality… a bottle of Coca-Cola for Abuelo, a beer for Tío, maybe a pack of cigarettes, a deck of cards or a favorite snack. These small details tell the story of the person being welcomed home.
The belief is simple and beautiful: once a year, the souls of the departed are allowed to return and spend time with the living. So the living make sure to throw a good party.
At the end of every October, Isla Mujeres transforms into a celebration that dances between worlds. The Festival Luz y Vida – Entre Vivos y Muertos fills the streets with color, candles, and music. There are processions led by glowing Catrinas, children parading in costumes, altars blooming with marigolds, and performances that blend ancient Mayan stories with modern island flair.
One night might bring a candlelit walk from the cemetery to the town square, another a concert under the stars or a maritime procession floating across the dark sea. Each year adds new touches… more art, more laughter, more ways to honor life itself. But the heart remains the same: remembrance wrapped in joy, laughter, and love.
A private slice of paradise where the sun rises on your perfect vacation and sets on fun, comfort and unforgettable memories.
Where tranquility meets Isla charm. A hidden gem for relaxation seekers. Wake up to sunrises and the melody of the waves!
Your oasis for luxurious homes and hotels to beachfront havens and cozy hideaways for more than 20 years.
Bringing family fun and beachside charm together for over 40 years. Cozy, unique, and just steps from Playa Norte’s sandy bliss!
Where sunrises steal the show and the Caribbean is your front yard. A minimalist haven in the heart of downtown, your serene escape awaits.
Rustic chic meets tranquility & amazing sunsets. A private beach haven ideal for those seeking peace and sun-kissed serenity.
Looking for practical details? Our Essentials page is
On Isla Mujeres you can either embrace the
A History of Rhythm, Laughter & Isla Mujeres
First time visiting Isla Mujeres? You’ve landed in
Isla Traditions, Festivals and Cultural Events
Isla Activities: Sun, Fun, and Unforgettable!
Eating your way around the Island
Isla's Services: From Welcome to Wow!
Looking for the perfect place to drop your bags?
Look close at Rivera’s mural and you’ll spot a pint-sized Diego holding Catrina’s hand, with Frida right behind him, hand on his shoulder…
Because even in the afterlife, somebody has to keep Diego in line.