DATES: Oct. 27 - Nov. 3 2007

PROGRAM FEE:

$1695 /person/double occupancy (Includes air from Denver) Contact us for prices from your city.

EXTENSION:

A week not enough. Contact us on price for additional time & activities.

Need Spanish. Check out our "Classes without Walls".

Dias de Los Muertos on Nine Bays of Perfection.

Huatulco is set amidst a charming unspoiled setting. This hemisphere's first eco-tourism resort of 22 miles of picturesque beaches dot this nearly virgin Pacific coastline. The nine sparkling bays make Huatulco a perfect backdrop to enjoy the culturally rich Mexican Holiday.

Dias de Los Muertos is the most distinctive holiday of Mexico. The belief underlying all ceremonies is that the spirit of the dead returns to earth to be with families and loved ones to eat, drink, be merry and relieve good memories.

The origins of the celebration of The Day of the Dead in Latin America can be traced back to the indigenous peoples of the Americas. The festivities were dedicated to the celebration of children and the lives of dead relatives. The Aztec tradition included the making of bread in the shape of a person which is perhaps the origin of the pan de muerte.

When the Spanish Conquistadors arrived in America in the 15th century they made an attempt to convert the locals to Roman Catholicism and moved the popular festival to the beginning of November to coincide with the Catholic All Saints Day and All Souls Day (of observance and prayer for those who have died and those souls in purgatory). All Saints' Day is the day after Halloween. The Spanish combined their custom of All Souls' Day with the similar Meso-american festival, creating the Día de los Muertos. This is an example of syncretism or the blending of a significant event from two different cultural traditions. Indigenous people of the Americas often would outwardly adopt the European rituals, while maintaining their original native beliefs.

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During the period of October 31 and November 2 families usually clean and decorate the graves and construct simple altars. These include wreaths of an orange marigold (also referred to as Flor de Muerto, the "flower of the dead", in Spanish, or zempoalxochitl, (twenty-flower) in Nahuatl, a term that has been carried into modern Mexican Spanish as cempazúchil), which are thought to attract the souls of the dead toward the offerings; toys, brought for dead children (los angelitos, or little angels); and bottles of tequila, mezcal, pulque or atole for adults. Families will also offer trinkets or the deceased's favorite candies on the grave

The souls of children are believed to return first on November 1, with adult spirits following on November 2nd.

Offerings are also put in homes, usually with foods and beverages dedicated to the deceased as well as pillows and blankets. The offerings are left out in the homes as a welcoming gesture for the deceased. The pillows and blankets are left out so that the deceased can rest after their long journey. In some parts of Mexico, people spend all night beside the graves of their relatives.

Some families build altars or small shrines in their homes. These altars usually have the Christian cross, statues or pictures of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pictures of deceased relatives and other persons, flowers such as marigolds, and many, many candles.

Public schools build altars with offerings, usually omitting the religious symbols. Government offices usually have at least a small altar, as this holiday is seen as a valuable part of the Mexican heritage.

A common symbol of the holiday is the skull . Sugar skulls are given out . The candy skull is inscribed with the name of the recipient on the forehead. It also includes pan de muerto (bread of the dead), a sweet egg bread made in many shapes, from plain rounds to skulls and rabbits often decorated with white frosting to look like twisted bones.

The Day of the Dead can range from being a very important cultural event, with defined social and economic responsibilities for participants to being a religious observance featuring actual worship of the dead , to simply being a uniquely Mexican holiday characterized by special foods and confections (the case in all large Mexican cities.)

In general, the more urban the setting within Mexico the less religious and cultural importance is retained by observants, while the more rural and Indian the locality, such as Oaxaca, the greater the religious and economic import of the holiday. Because of this, this observance is usually of greater social importance in all of southern Mexico than in the northern part of the count

The Mexicans treat death as an equal part of life. The continuity of life is clearly illumined by the love of families

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Travel to one of the most beautiful & charming coastal areas of Mexico. It was awarded the Green Globe certification for its high environmental standards. Huatulco is the first tourist destination to receive this distinction on the American continent. This first class resort
• Experience the famous Dias de Los Muertos holiday as we make 2 visits to the cemetery in Santa Maria de Huatulco.
• Tour the bays
• get to know the friendly people.

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Arrival

Arrive in Bahias de Huatulco. After checking into your rooms enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 2: Relaxing & Sightseeing

Following a leisurely breakfast we will take a van tour of the area. Be sure and bring your camera to take pictures of the scenic overlooks unspoiled beaches. After returning relax and enjoy the Tangolunda Bay beaches & pools. Enjoy food & drinks offered by the Barcelo hotel.

Day 3: Bay & Snorkeling Tour

See the unsurprising beauty of beaches and bays. Photograph the rock formations that form the Bufadero and the Stone face. Explore enchanting San Agustin Bay that is home to a small fishing village. There will be sunning, snorkeling and swimming. An optional hike/photo opportunity will be offered up to the San Agustin Shrine, with scenic vistas & the pictureques Playa Coyote. After you have built up a huge appetite the catch of the day will be grilled and waiting for served on the beautiful beach.

San Agustin

Enjoy an evening in La Crucecita. Sip a drink and enjoy music in an open air lounge overlooking the Zocolo.

Day 4: City Site Seeing Tour - Snorkeling & Hanging Out at Magay Bay and La Entrga Beach

A walking tour of La Crucecita the center point of Huatulco. Admire the worlds largest ceiling painting of the Virgin of Guadalupe painted by a local artist. Visit a loom factory, sample the local mezal (distilled liquor similar to tequila), coffee, & chocolate. A trip to the traditional market with regional clothes, world famous Barro Negro (black pottery) and the alebrijes (Oaxaca's famous mystical hand-carved wooden animals).

Take along your swim suits. You will have the opportunity to snorkel in one of the largest white Coral Reefs of the Pacific Ocean at Magay Bay & La Entrega Beach. If snorkeling isn't your thing kick back and enjoy the sea & sun and enjoy your favorite beverage.

Evening on your own.

Day 5: River Rafting - Sunset Sail

Raft down the Copalita River and admire the natural beauty of the jungle. Swim in the refreshing waters of the river & play in the salt water of the ocean. Enjoy lunch in a restaurant on the beach of the La Bocana.

During the evening experience the peace and tranquility that only sailing can provide. Catch a Mexican Sunset on the Luna Azul sailboat, listening to music while sipping a glass of wine with cheese & crackers.

Day 6: Nov. 1, Day Tour

Our Day of the Dead Celebration will begin with a day tour of the original town Santa Maria Huatulco. Along the way we will make stops at local homes where they will be making tortillas & their famous tamales. Hear the history of the area and cemetery. Learn about this celebration of life & death. The tour will start at the magnificently constructed church built in 1908. It contains artifacts dating back to the 18th Century and includes the Senor de las Misericordias (Lord of Misery) a figure of Christ and the small piece of the original wooden cross of Santa Cruz.

Get your feet wet in the Santa Maria Huatulco river, an opportunity for some awesome photos of the huge river rock formations.

Later relax and enjoy a lunch at the local restaurant Aye Carramba.

Day 7: Night Tour of Cemetery

Day on your own. Shopping, sunning on the beach, or swimming in the pool.

Back to Santa Maria for a night at the cemetery and celebration of the second night of "The Day of the Dead".

Day 8: Return

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