Día de los Muertos
 

My husband and I are interested in traveling to Mexico and wanted to know if Oaxaca is the best place to observe the festival. Also, we're looking for recommendations on places to stay as well as side trips.
Thanks.

I think Oaxaca would be a very good place to go. But there are many other places to go which others can speak to better than I. The nicer hotels in OAX book up way in advance so, although tourism is down you might want to book now. As far as accommodations, mid-range las Golondrias and Casa Arnel are popular. I usually stay at the lower end so that I can stay longer. I have stayed at la casa de la abuela many times.

Well Patzcuaro about 30 minutes from Morelia in Michoacan is the true home of this fête. Hotels are booked a year in advance but a great town to visit at anytime as it is surrounded by smaller villages each with a unique craft, The Dia de los Muertos is best observed on a couple of islands in Patzcuaro lake home to Indeginous people who to this day refuse to learn/speak Spanish. They Had allied themselves with Cortes against the Aztecs but after their King was seized by the Spanish,accused of heresy & burned at the stake. They have never forgiven this traitorous act but welcome all others to their islands.

You can read about the Yucatecan traditions for the Day of the Dead here: http://www.yucatantoday.com/events/e...f-the-dead.htm

I was in Oaxaca last October for Dia de los Muertos and found it absolutely delightful. There were so many festivities in the vicinity of the Zocalo (the town square). I'm going to return with a group of friends next October. We connected with a local guide, Antonio Zarate, who speaks perfect English. His presence and knowledge turned what was a great trip into an exceptional trip. He has a website if you want more information. www.oaxacaguideservice.com

And friends wrote: "We spent an exciting day with Antonio Zarate showing us some of the sights on the route to Mitla in Oaxaca Mexico. Mr. Zarate is very good at connecting expert knowledge of the ancient sites with the living presence of the local people of the region. Our day included a visit to a very special family of weavers (the most beautiful oaxacan carpets I have ever seen) and a great lunch. Mr. Zarate´s calm and friendly guidance made this a very special day for the three of us.

Spent DofD in San Miguel DeAllende in 2006 and enjoyed it immensely. However, because of its large gringo population, the pure tradition is being polluted with American-style Halloween, kids trick or treating and a Catrina dressup parade by the ex-pats. The traditionalists are not pleased. But many wonderful traditions superseed: the offrendas public and private, opening of the Cathedral crypt, Nov 1, the gorgeous decorating and feasting and vigil-sitting in the cemetaries, the wonderful mercados selling DoD paraphenalia, on and on.

There is an excellent article about the best places to visit during Day of the Dead in Mexico: http://mexico.martinmichalik.eu/2011...n-mexico-2011/

Hopefully it can be useful.