Why go
Understanding an ofrenda changes what you see: marigolds, food and personal objects refer to particular lives rather than serving as seasonal decoration. Cemeteries can also be places where families clean and adorn graves. Approach these observances with the respect due to a family remembrance.
The full story
Día de Muertos brings families and friends together to remember people who have died. In many homes, an ofrenda, or altar, holds foods, drinks and objects associated with the person being honored. Orange cempasúchil marigolds are a familiar sign of the season; in the tradition, their flowers help guide souls toward the offerings. Families may also visit cemeteries to clean and decorate graves. The observance spans the end of October and the first days of November, alongside All Saints’ and All Souls’ days in the Catholic calendar. Its present form joins Indigenous and Christian practices, though customs vary across Mexico and between families. A public display can introduce the symbols, but it is only one part of a tradition rooted in personal memory. If you come across an altar in Puerto Vallarta, look for the specific food, flowers and portraits that make it a tribute to someone, rather than assuming every display follows one standard design.