My Experience at Calaverandia, Day of the Dead Park

Guadalajara is one of Mexico's most important metropolises. I remember that trip like it was yesterday and, even if it sounds cliché, remembering is reliving.

Gustavo Ibarra, from the Guadalajara Visitors and Conventions Bureau, picked us up at Guadalajara International Airport, and since we were starving after leaving Mexico City super early, the first thing he did was take us to eat one of Jalisco's classic dishes: carne en su jugo (meat on it's juice), at the famous Karne Garibaldi restaurant, about 15 minutes from downtown.

If you want more cool restaurants in Guadalajara, check out this Guadalajara restaurants guide link.

My horchata arrived in seven seconds and my carne en su jugo took 20 seconds, served with serrano chiles, grilled cebollitas, pinto beans, guacamole and totopos, with those smells that wake up your appetite. In their defense, six of us had ordered.

And between bites, Gustavo told us the story of the place, which stands out not only for its many locations —we went to the Santa Tere one— but also for holding a Guinness World Record for fast food service: in one of their feats, the restaurant served a full menu in just 13.5 seconds.

A Walk Through Guadalajara's Historic Center

Later we took a cultural walk through the Historic Center of this beautiful city, where they say you find the most beautiful women in Mexico. Well, of course, not all of them, because I was born in Puebla, just kidding.

We visited Teatro Degollado, the Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres and the Government Palace, plus some of the most emblematic spots downtown.

Palacio de Gobierno at Guadalajara's Center

But something that really stands out in Guadalajara, in my opinion, are the calandrias, those horse-drawn carriages that are part of the city's traditional image.

We also saw La Cruz de Plazas, a historic urban complex of four public plazas surrounding the Metropolitan Cathedral. It feels like a mega-atrium right in the heart of Guadalajara.

If you want to explore this part of the city at a slower pace, I'll soon share more about my cultural route through Guadalajara's Historic Center link.

A Night of Legends at _Panteón de Belén_

After our tour we went to freshen up at Hotel Encore and, in the late afternoon and evening, we got ready to experience Day of the Dead, tapatío style. Tapatío or tapatía is the demonym used for people from Guadalajara.

First we toured Panteón de Belén, a classic for locals and tourists during Day of the Dead season, especially in October and November.

The site offers legends tours and, if you want to do this experience, I recommend arriving well in advance. When we went, the lines were huge and you could wait up to two hours.

There we heard stories that really give you goosebumps. They told us why there is a tree growing over a grave and the legend says that, if it is cut down, it could release a dark being with sharp fangs.

We also learned the story of Victoriana Huerta, a woman who, according to legend, was buried alive.

But perhaps the one that creeps out tourists the most is little Nachito, whose grave is covered with toys that, under no circumstances, you should touch.

On our tour we were not allowed to use our phones to light the way, so bring a flashlight or buy one outside the cemetery. When we went, they cost $20 pesos, almost a dollar.

The price we paid that time was $100 pesos, approximately 6 USD. Since prices can change depending on the tour type and season, it is worth checking the current rate before you go.

What Is Calaverandia?

After diving into the legends of Panteón de Belén, it was time to experience Day of the Dead in a completely different way.

We headed to Calaverandia, the Day of the Dead theme park set up at Parque Avila Camacho, in Guadalajara.

The concept blends Mexican traditions, shows, music, food, immersive installations and characters inspired by the Day of the Dead celebration.

In fact, Calaverandia presents itself as the only Day of the Dead theme park in the world.

The 2026 edition will be the seventh and starts on October 20, 2026. The season is nighttime, so you can use the day to explore other places in Guadalajara and save Calaverandia for the night.

And yes, every corner feels made for photos.

There are spaces full of color, cempasuchil flowers, lights, skulls, giant installations and corners that scream Instagram.

You will also find food stalls, popcorn, tacos, snacks, cotton candy, sweets and neon catrin face painting.

During the season, thousands of visitors come to reconnect with Mexican traditions or simply discover them for the first time.

What to Do at Calaverandia?

One of the things I liked most about Calaverandia is that it is not just about walking among pretty decorations. There are shows and immersive experiences that make the visit feel much more complete.

Alma, the Show that blew my mind

But the shows are definitely next level.

The Alma show will blow your mind like it did mine.

It is a 4D multimedia show that tells Mexican traditions around death and uses different audiovisual resources to tell the story.

For me it was one of those moments that turn a theme park visit into a much more memorable experience.

In the 2026 edition, Alma continues as one of Calaverandia's headline shows.

Limbo and Inframundo

Limbo and Inframundo are also super unmissable areas.

Here you enter a kind of nocturnal jungle where you will find mysterious characters inspired by the prehispanic world and different challenges.

One of them is the vortex tunnel.

And here, yes: watch your step.

With lights, sounds and characters, the walk can make you lose track of where you are.

The Trajineras lake

Another beautiful experience is The Trajineras lake.

With lights, cempasuchil flowers and music, this experience becomes one of those magical moments of the night.

It is one of the activities I would put on the must-do list if it is your first time at Calaverandia.

Las Trajineras is a must in Calaverandia

Other Calaverandia Experiences

Beyond these shows, Calaverandia has different themed zones and experiences.

For the 2026 edition, spaces like El Gran Altar, La Plaza, Omitlan, the Interactive Cemetery, El Pueblito and Photomoments are planned, among other experiences.

What is clear is that you will have plenty to walk, watch shows, take photos, eat something and spend several hours inside the park.

How Much Are Calaverandia 2026 Tickets?

Presale prices for the 2026 edition are:

Ticket type	2026 Presale	Regular sale
General adult 13+	$756 MXN (44 USD)	$840 MXN (49 USD)
General child 4 to 12	$378 MXN (22 USD)	$420 MXN (24 USD)
Comfort Pass adult	$1,440 MXN (84 USD)	$1,600 MXN (93 USD)
Comfort Pass child	$783 MXN (45 USD)	$870 MXN (50 USD)

Presale offers lower prices than regular sale, so if you have already decided to visit Calaverandia, it is worth checking availability and season conditions before buying. Also, remember that prices vary depending on the exchange rate.

Is the Comfort Pass Worth It?

We recommend buying Comfort Pass tickets if you want to make the most of the night.

The main reason is that you can skip some lines and get preferred access and seating in select experiences.

If you go on a very busy date —Peak dates usually run from October 15 to November 5, and weekends are very crowded—. It can make a big difference between spending much of the night waiting or spending more time exploring the park.

That said, if your budget is tighter and you do not mind waiting in line, the general ticket still lets you enjoy the experience.

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Where to Stay in Guadalajara?

After spending so much time walking around and exploring Guadalajara, we headed to the AC Hotel by Marriott Guadalajara to freshen up. It is a hotel designed primarily for business travelers, yet the atmosphere is far from boring or overly corporate. While it offers workspaces, coworking areas, and meeting rooms, it also features wellness facilities—such as a gym—and a rooftop pool and bar that offer a prime view of this vast metropolis. I certainly felt empowered sipping my gin and tonic by the pool at night, surrounded by the twinkling lights of the city. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for functional accommodation for work but don’t want to stay in a hotel that feels like an office.

Tacos Providencia: The Perfect End to the Night

To end the day, we went for tacos at Tacos Providencia, a very busy taqueria.

And when I say very busy, I mean that when we arrived they had almost run out of everything.

In fact, at the end there were only sesos tacos left.

And here is the confession: I do not like sesos, so that was definitely not what I ordered.

But that crowd and the fact that the tacos were running out felt like a good sign of how popular the place is.

After a whole day of eating, walking, listening to legends and living Day of the Dead, tacos were exactly what we needed to close the night.

Is Calaverandia Worth Visiting?

After experiencing Day of the Dead in Guadalajara this way, I think Calaverandia is worth it if you want to see this celebration from a different perspective.

What I liked most is that it does not just put up a few catrinas, cempasuchil flowers and Mexican music. There is a clear intention to turn traditions around death into an immersive experience, full of lights, shows, sounds, food and settings that completely change after dark.

And you can also combine it with other Day of the Dead experiences in Guadalajara.

In our case, we started with the legends of Panteon de Belen and then moved to the more spectacular and contemporary version of the celebration at Calaverandia.

They are completely different experiences, but that is exactly why I think they complement each other.

Tips for Visiting Calaverandia

Buy your tickets in advance, especially if you want to visit during a high-demand date
Consider the Comfort Pass if you want to cut wait times and make the most of your visit
Wear comfortable shoes, because you will walk a lot
Set aside several hours to explore the park, not just to see one show
Check showtimes before starting your route
Do not forget your phone or camera, because you will find tons of photo spots
Budget extra for food and drinks, as purchases inside the park are separate from the ticket
If you go during Day of the Dead season, bring a sweater, because temperatures can drop at night
If you want to combine Calaverandia with other experiences, you can visit the Historic Center, Tlaquepaque or Panteon de Belen during the day and save the park for the night.

FAQ About Calaverandia

What is Calaverandia?

Calaverandia is a theme park dedicated to Day of the Dead that combines Mexican traditions, shows, immersive installations, food and entertainment.

When does Calaverandia 2026 start?

The 2026 edition starts on October 20, 2026 in Guadalajara.

How much are Calaverandia tickets?

For 2026, presale prices are $756 (44 USD) pesos for adults, $378 (22 USD) for children, $1,440 (84 USD) for adults with Comfort Pass and $783 (45 USD) for children with Comfort Pass. Prices may increase during regular sale.

What is there at Calaverandia?

Planned experiences and zones for the 2026 edition include Alma, Tau, Limbo, Inframundo, the Interactive Cemetery, El Gran Altar, La Plaza, Omitlan, El Pueblito, the Trajineras Lake and Photomoments.

Is the Comfort Pass worth it?

If you want to make the most of your visit and cut wait times, it can be a good option, especially on the busiest nights.

Where is Calaverandia?

Calaverandia is located at Parque Avila Camacho, in Guadalajara, Jalisco.

What else can I do for Day of the Dead in Guadalajara?

Beyond Calaverandia, you can visit Panteon de Belen, explore the Historic Center, discover Tlaquepaque during the Day of the Dead celebrations or try delicious Tapatío food. Link

My Experience at Calaverandia Day of the Dead Park