Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is one of Mexico’s most well-known holidays. Events take place all over the country, but Puerto Vallarta is one of the best places to experience it, with week long-festivities starting November 1st at midnight every year. The biggest celebrations are on November 1 and 2. Although the festival has a mournful theme, it is actually a celebration of life through acknowledging the dead. On these days, family and friends get together to remember loved ones who have died. It has become one of Mexico’s most well-known cultural events due to this unique perspective on death. Every year, people from all over the world come to see the colourful costumes and beautiful shrines. Some of the festivities in Puerto Vallarta include mariachi, folkloric ballets, and Catrinas (painted skeleton mask) contests. Families will gather to remember their friends and family who have passed away, placing shrines and candles along the gorgeous Malecon boardwalk.