Here's How “Jane the Virgin”'s Jaime Camil Is Inspiring Travelers Who Want to Experience a Real Día de Muertos
The actor teamed up with Expedia to launch Travel Shops, where he gathered all his best recommendations in Mexico
Ever wanted to celebrate an authentic Día de Muertos in Mexico? Jaime Camil's got you covered.
With the holiday fast approaching (Nov. 1-2), the Jane the Virgin actor and Mexico City native compiled a list of his favorite hotels around the country with Expedia's newly launched Travel Shops tool, which encourage travelers to book recommended stays from their favorite celebrities and trusted creators.
"Travelers are already getting inspiration through Instagram and TikTok, so creating a path to go from looking to booking is a natural evolution that meets travelers where they’re at." Lauri Metrose, SVP of Global Communications at Expedia Group explained in a press release about the Shops, which launched this week.
In addition to Camil, 51, Premier League footballer Virgil van Dijk, the Arsenal FC organization and multiple tourism boards are the first to launch Travel Shops. Anyone will be able to create their own starting in 2025.
Día de Muertos is a holiday that reunites the living and the dead through familial celebrations involving ofrendas (offerings), food, flowers and more. (Camil voiced Papá in the beloved Disney Pixar movie Coco, which centers around the holiday.) Here are some of the most exciting places to visit in Mexico around the Día de Muertos holiday based on Camil's travel expertise.
Related: 'Jane the Virgin' Star Jaime Camil's Immigrant Story: 'I Got Very Lucky'
Maja Hotel Boutique, Morelia
First on the actor's list is the Maja Hotel Boutique in Morelia, Michoacán.
"Maja offers the most authentic Día De Muertos experience in Morelia, the city where the celebration originated," Camil writes on his Travel Shop guide.
The city of Morelia puts on a parade in the streets where people dress up as Catrinas, the female skeleton that is one of the most recognizable symbols of the celebration.
The hotel itself has a full-service spa and is located near the Benito Juarez Zoo. For golf-enthusiasts, the hotel also provides 18 holes of golf, a poolside bar and a terrace.
It also features a fine-dining restaurant called IXU that offers breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner and al fresco dining.
La Purificadora, Puebla
For Camil, La Purificadora in Puebla is the perfect location for Día de Muertos celebrations.
“This hotel is a stunning mix of natural design elements mixed with ultra modern," he wrote. "The location is great and I never miss a steam session when I visit."
The city of Puebla is known for its beautiful altars on Día de Muertos. On Nov. 1, the town also performs a unique ritual where temple bells ring in the afternoon, signaling the arrival of the dead, who walk a path decorated with cempasúchil (marigold) flowers.
The upscale boutique hotel is located in Puebla Historic Center near Zócalo de Puebla and Puebla Cathedral.
The hotel includes a poolside bar, a rooftop terrace and a library. For guests who are looking for rest and relaxation, the hotel has a steam room, massages, manicures and facials.
Volga, Mexico City
Volga is a hotel in Mexico City that places travelers at the heart of Día de Muertos celebrations.
“I love the urban oasis vibes of this hotel, within walking distance to the Día de Muertos celebrations in Mexico City," Camil wrote.
The Mediterranean-inspired hotel is located in the Reforma neighborhood and close to the Angel of Independence Monument and National Museum of Anthropology.
Mexico City typically has a Día de Muertos parade that takes place on Nov. 2.
Alesia Hotel Boutique & Spa, Aguascalientes
The Alesia hotel is the perfect stay for Día de Muertos festivities in Aguascalientes.
The city is the home of the Festival de las Calaveras for Día de Muertos and is known for celebrating La Catrina as brought to life by local printmaker José Guadalupe Posada.
“Located by the Historic Center, this hotel is a perfect place to immerse yourself in Día de Muertos, while also offering a spectacular spa to relax from the day's festivities," Camil wrote.
The property is located near Jardin de San Marcos and is equipped with a terrace and garden. Guests can also enjoy a body scrub, a body treatment and Swedish massage at the onsite spa.
Casa Habita, Guadalajara
Casa Habita, which is a member of Design Hotels in Guadalajara, is Camil's ideal hotel.
“A boutique hotel with a full service spa and amazing rooftop views? My kind of place," he wrote.
The hotel is located near University of Guadalajara Assembly Hall and World Trade Center and provides a poolside bar, a rooftop terrace, onsite shopping, a hair salon and a library. For some rest and relaxation, guests can enjoy a facial and Swedish massage at the onsite spa.
The epicenter of Guadalajara's Día de Muertos celebrations are in Centro and in Tlaquepaque. At these locations, there's large parades with live music, shops and colorful ofrendas.
Grand Fiesta, Oaxaca
If you're looking for a good time on Día de Muertos, the Grand Fiesta in Oaxaca will place you in the middle of the celebration.
In Oaxaca, the first day of Día de Muertos celebrations begins with Día de los Inocentes (day of the innocents), which remembers the children that have passed. The second day welcomes the spirits of adults who have passed away. The city offers Day of the Dead tours, parades and lively processions called muerteadas.
This luxury, eco-certified hotel is located near the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman and Zocalo Square. Camil calls it a "fantastic home base for first-time visitors as it's located right in the heart of the city."
Edelmira Hotel Boutique, Guanajuato
The Edelmira Hotel Boutique has a charm that Camil finds irresistible.
“Edelmira is an enchanting hotel from the 19th century that been renovated to give it a modern style and charm," he wrote.
The upscale boutique hotel is located in Zona Centro, near the Juarez Theater and Alley of the Kiss and has a rooftop terrace and a bar.
In Guanajuato, there's a Día de Muertos parades, ofrenda contests and more. The city also has a tradition of creating an "Ofrenda Monumental," which is a multi-level altar staged on the steps of the local university on Oct. 31.
Otro, Oaxaca
Otro is located at the heart of Oaxaca and leans in to the spirit of Día de Muertos.
“Otro offers an authentic interior design featuring Oaxacan textures that becomes even more vibrant during Día de Muertos," says Camil.
This hotel is located near the church of Santa Domingo de Guzman and Zocalo Square. It provides continental breakfast, a rooftop terrace, a bar and an onsite spa. It also has a restaurant available to all guests.
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