Where Los Cabos Tourists Can See The Most Stunning Day Of The Dead Altars Next Month

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If you’re in town the first week of November, you’re in for one of the most beautiful traditions we celebrate here in Baja. As we at The Cabo Sun like to say—this is the moment when culture takes center stage, and visitors get a front-row seat.

Below, we’ve mapped out the can’t-miss places (and insider tips) to experience breathtaking ofrendas and community altars across Los Cabos.

1) The Main Showcase: Plaza Mijares, San José del Cabo (Nov 2)

The headline event for travelers is the Day of the Dead Altar Contest in Plaza Teniente José Antonio Mijares—San José del Cabo’s historic main square. It’s part of the traditional festival downtown, with student teams building elaborate altars to honor loved ones using classic elements like marigolds, candles, papel picado, pan de muerto, copal, water, and photos. Installations begin around 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, and the plaza fills with color right through the evening. Expect judging late at night after performances, with winners announced at the festival’s close.

Local officials have also put out the broader “Mictlán en el Desierto” call for Dia de Muertos activities across the municipality, so you’ll see complementary programming throughout town. Translation for visitors: plan to wander the square and the surrounding streets—there’s a good chance you’ll stumble upon live music, food stalls, and pop-up cultural moments.

Pro tips:

• Aim for late afternoon into evening for that golden-hour glow on the altars (and easier photos).
• Go car-free if you can—parking around the Centro grid gets tight during festivals.
• Be respectful: altars are acts of remembrance. Admire and photograph from a polite distance, and don’t move objects.

2) Altars… On The Water: Day of the Dead Nautical Festival (Nov 1–4)

Just across the corridor in Cabo San Lucas, the marina and bay light up for the Day of the Dead Nautical Festival—think floating ofrendas, traditional dances, and night-glow photo ops over the water. It’s one of the most unique ways to experience Día de Muertos anywhere in Mexico. For where to stand, best times to go, and how to pair it with dinner on the boardwalk, we’ve got you covered in our recent guide to the marina transformation.

While you’re plotting a culture-forward itinerary, check our seasonal rundown of late-fall events (we call out the nautical altars there, too) to layer in fireworks and other November highlights.

3) Gallery District Vibes: Art & Ofrendas In San José

If you’re here the week after Día de Muertos, the beloved San José del Cabo Art Walk kicks off its 2025–26 season on Thursday, November 6 and runs weekly (5–9 p.m.) through June. Galleries often weave in remembrance themes and floral installations in early November, and Plaza Mijares regularly hosts an artisan market during big nights—perfect for picking up hand-made keepsakes after you tour the altars.

For more background on why the Art Walk is such a must while you’re in town, we’ve broken it down in multiple features this season—from market finds to how locals pair gallery-hopping with dinner steps away.

How To Plan Your Evening

When to go:

• Nov 1–4: Catch the marina’s floating altars at twilight; reflections get extra photogenic after sunset.
• Nov 2: Start in Plaza Mijares after 5 p.m. for peak ambiance, then linger as performances ramp up and judging windows approach.

What to bring: Comfortable shoes, a light layer for evening breezes, and your camera (low-light mode helps). If you’re near the bay, plan for a gentle marine breeze after dark.

Etiquette 101: Please don’t touch the ofrendas. Many include personal items of the departed; photos are welcome, but be mindful of families paying respects.

Make It A Culture-First Weekend

Here’s our favorite flow:

• Friday (Nov 1): Start at the marina for the first night of nautical altars—grab dinner either before sunset or after the performance wave to dodge peak crowds.
• Saturday (Nov 2, daytime): Pop into San José’s Centro to watch altar builds take shape in Plaza Mijares and scout your evening route.
• Saturday (Nov 2, evening): Soak up live performances and the full plaza glow; swing by nearby galleries and cafés between program blocks.
• Sunday/Monday: If you’re still in town, layer in other November standouts—we round them up in our winter-season preview (including safety tips and beach know-before-you-go).

If you’ve ever wanted to experience the heart and soul of Los Cabos beyond the beach, the first week of November is your moment—Plaza Mijares for traditional ofrendas on November 2, and Cabo San Lucas Marina for glowing altars on the water November 1–4. Build your evenings around these two hubs, arrive with curiosity and respect, and you’ll carry the magic of Día de Muertos with you long after your trip.