Day of the Dead, the Maya Way
An intimate journey into 3,000 years of Maya tradition. Hanal Pixán · Yucatán, México · October 29 – November 3, 2026
Intentionally small group · Limited spots · Booking closes August 15, 2026
THE MAYA DAY OF THE DEAD
Hanal Pixán : Food for the Souls
For more than 3,000 years, Maya families across the Yucatán have welcomed their ancestors home each fall with marigolds, candles, copal, and the preparation of los pibes— a tamale cooked underground, made only for the dead. Long before tourism discovered Day of the Dead, before Coco, before the Mexico City parade, this tradition was already ancient.
Hanal Pixán is not a performance. It is not a parade you watch from the sidelines. It is a living, ongoing relationship between the living and the dead, practiced in homes, cemeteries, and villages across the peninsula.
We've spent years building relationships with the families and communities who keep this tradition. This journey is the result — an invitation, offered with care, into something deeply beautiful.
WHAT AWAITS YOU…
Six days, woven with intention.
A boutique welcome in Centro:
A restored 18th-century boutique hotel in the heart of Mérida — your home for the week, opening with welcome margaritas and a light dinner.
A ceremony with Abuela Ak'bal
A traditional Maya ceremony — cacao, temazcal, or another sacred opening — held with a respected elder, shaped to the energy of the group.
Ancestor breathwork at Oxkintok
A meditation and breathwork session among the ancient stones of an off-the-beaten-path Maya site, guided by a local expert and wellness practitioner.
A cenote, a sound bath
Floating in a secluded cenote as the vibration moves through sacred waters, led by a local wellness guide
Mérida's Hanal Pixán nights
The cathedral's Hanal Pixán video mapping, altar exhibits, museums, and the soul of the city on Día de Muertos.
Paseo de las Ánimas
Mérida's candlelit procession from the General Cemetery to Parque de San Juan — walking with the souls, passing family altars along the way.
The Catrinas Parade
A vibrant, joyful procession — Mexico's living art in motion, representative of every region of the country. The best procession I’ve ever seen!
Pan de Muerto, by hand
A hands-on morning learning to bake the traditional bread of the season — sweet, anise-scented, shaped with care (gluten free option) — paired with pibes for lunch.
A beach day in Sisal (Pueblo Mágico)
Flamingos, mangrove forest, birds rising over the lagoons, fresh seafood, and relaxing on the beach.
A unique farewell
A private multi-course dinner prepared by an acclaimed Mérida chef, served by candlelight in the gardens of a hacienda— aged architecture, slow Yucatecan flavors, full hearts, and the company of friends who began the week as strangers.
I came to México twenty years ago and never quite left. What began as a love affair with the Yucatán became a life — planning holidays, building friendships with local families, learning what it means to live within a culture that is not my own.
The Green Maya Project is the work of those twenty years. The people I've come to know, the rituals I've been invited into, the places I return to again and again — now opened, with care, to travelers who want more than a tour.
I created the Hanal Pixán journey because the tradition asked for it. In the US, we don't really have a way to remember our loved ones who have passed. There's the funeral, and then we grieve on our own time, mostly alone.
In México, it's different. Every year, for a week, families honor their dead by inviting them home — to share food, drink, laughter, conversation. The memory of the loved one lives on, out loud, in community.
That's why this journey exists.
If you're feeling called to this experience, I'd love to hear from you. Whether you arrive carrying grief, curiosity, or simply a longing for something authentic, you are welcome.
— Sara
Hola, soy Sara.
YOUR HOST
IS THIS JOURNEY FOR YOU?
An honest invitation.
This journey is for you IF…
You're drawn to slow, immersive travel — depth over checklist.
You believe traditions are best learned by being invited in, not by watching from outside.
You're carrying something — grief, transition, change — and want a meaningful container to honor it.
You appreciate beautiful accommodations, thoughtful meals, and attention to detail.
You're comfortable in small groups and want real conversations, not crowds.
You're curious about Maya tradition and willing to receive it on its own terms.
You want an experience that asks something of you — and gives something back.
It may not be the right fit IF…
You're looking for a Halloween-style paaaarty.
You want a fast-paced itinerary with sightseeing checkboxes and constant motion.
You want a hands-off luxury experience without any cultural engagement or reflection.
You're uncomfortable with ceremony, silence, or emotional moments.
You'd rather travel independently than as part of a small group of strangers becoming friends.
You expect predictability over the unexpected — México is alive, and the journey moves with it.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Every detail, considered.
You arrive. We handle the rest. Here's what your investment includes — and what it doesn't.
Five nights in a gorgeously restored 18th-century boutique hotel in the heart of Mérida
All meals as listed in the itinerary — homemade, locally sourced, accommodating all dietary needs
Organic coffee, tea, fresh juices, sparkling and purified water in reusable bottles
Farewell dinner curated by a recognized local chef
All ceremonies and cultural experiences listed in the itinerary
A private ceremony with Abuela Ak’bal, Maya spiritual guide
Festival del Pib, Paseo de las Ánimas, and Catrín parade
Sound bath in a private cenote
Beach vibes & seafood in the Pueblo Mágico town of Sisal
Bilingual local guides — hand-picked, certified, deeply grounded in their craft
All ground transportation, including private airport transfer from/to Mérida (MID)
Entrance fees, equipment, and gratuities for staff (housekeeping, porters, drivers, waiters)
Welcome gift on arrival
Closing ceremony and farewell dinner
Included:
Airfare to Mérida (MID)
Three meals during the week — designed to give you freedom to explore Mérida's restaurant scene
Personal items, laundry, and incidentals
Alcohol beyond what's noted (welcome margaritas, mezcal tasting)
Optional add-ons: massage, facial, one-on-one integration session
Gratuities for head guides (optional, at your discretion)
Travel insurance
Not included:
*** We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect your investment.
Cancun airport transfer available for an additional fee — let us know in your inquiry.
All dietary needs accommodated with care: gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, allergy-sensitive.
INVESTMENT
What it costs. What it includes.
A single, all-inclusive investment. No hidden costs, no upsells, no surprises.
SHARED ROOM (double occupancy)
$3,500 USD per person
For couples or friends sharing a king-bed suite
PRIVATE ROOM (single occupancy)
$4,300 USD per person
For solo travelers in a private king-bed suite
$1,000 USD deposit to reserve your place.
Balance due September 30, 2026. Booking closes September 15, 2026.
Intimate group — maximum 10 travelers.
WHAT TRAVELERS SAY
In their own words…
"I've just returned from a week of one of the best things I've ever done for myself. I didn't know what to expect, but any expectation I could have had was met and far exceeded. This was definitely a spiritual healing and learning from a culture that we all have a lot to learn from. From a cacao ceremony to cenotes to pyramids to magical towns to parades and ceremonies of Day of the Dead and so much more — if you want to do something for yourself, contact Sara in Mérida and mark something magical off your bucket list."
— Karen K. · Day of the Dead Journey · 2025
"My day with Sara and The Green Maya Project was far more than a tour — it was a genuine spiritual journey. We started at a quiet, secluded Maya ruin, then trekked into the heart of the jungle for a powerful meditation session, eventually reaching a hidden cenote where Sara performed an incredible sound healing. By the end, I felt like I was traveling with a long-time friend rather than a customer. If you want a raw, authentic, and soul-stirring experience, Sara is the one."
— Jake K. · Solo Traveler · 2026
"From the earliest planning stages, Sara listened carefully and helped shape a journey that felt meaningful, seamless, and truly transformative. Her ability to weave together nature, culture, history, and spiritual connection added an authenticity that would have been impossible to replicate. The Temazcal ceremony and sound bath in a secluded cenote were highlights."
— Sara N. · Women's Retreat · March 2026
"We spent 2 days with Green Maya and it was the highlight of our 8 days in the Yucatán. Sara listened to our interests and arranged trips only someone with great knowledge of the place and the people could do. We had a phenomenal cenote all to ourselves, then lunch with a Maya family where we helped make tortillas, and visited their beekeeping of small native stingless bees. Highly, highly recommend."
— Lea Ann H. · Couple · March 2023
A LOOK INSIDE
A glimpse of what Hanal Pixán in the Yucatán looks, feels, and sounds like — captured in the field by Sara and past travelers.
Moments from past journeys.
Your Questions, Answered
-
No. The journey is hosted in English by Sara, with bilingual local guides who interpret as needed. Some Spanish phrases will sneak into your week — but you don't need any to feel at home.
-
Many of our travelers come on their own. Hanal Pixán is a journey of personal reflection — solo travelers tend to find the space and depth they're seeking, and connection comes naturally within a small group. You'll have your own private suite and the freedom to share or rest as you choose.
-
An 18th-century home in Mérida's Centro, beautifully restored — private king-bed suites opening onto tropical gardens, with the quiet attention to detail of a true boutique stay.
-
Moderate. There's walking on cobblestone streets, a procession on foot, stairs at the archaeological site, and time on your feet at cultural events. No required strenuous activities — every experience can be adapted to your pace. Mornings include optional movement and meditation, but no fitness level is required.
-
All meals are accommodated with care. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, and allergy-sensitive needs are handled fully. Please share specifics when you book so we can plan with our chefs and partners. Yucatecan cuisine is rich in produce, fish, and traditional dishes that flex easily.
-
Yes. Each day has space built in for rest, journaling, exploring on your own, optional massages, or simply being. The journey is paced — not rushed — and integration time is essential. It is your holiday.
-
Yes. Mérida is consistently ranked among the safest cities in México and across the Americas. You'll feel comfortable walking the streets day or night, especially in the Centro where the hotel is located.
-
Fly into Mérida International Airport (MID). Private airport transfers are included. If you fly into Cancún (CUN), a longer transfer can be arranged for an additional fee.
-
Your $1,000 deposit secures your place and is non-refundable. The balance is due by August 30, 2026. After that date, refunds are at our discretion based on whether your spot can be filled. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect your investment.
-
Send us an inquiry through the form on this page. Sara will personally respond within 24 hours to set up a brief call, answer your questions, and — if it feels right — guide you through the deposit and reservation.
-
Reach out and Sara will answer it personally.
THE INVITATION.
Walk with the souls.
Six days in Mérida, woven with care, held in community.
Reserve your place by September 15, 2026.
$1,000 USD deposit secures your spot. Maximum 10 travelers.