Puerto Morelos Announces Mar de Almas Janal Pixan 2026 Day of the Dead Festival

Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo — Mayor Blanca Merari Tziu Muñoz is inviting residents and visitors to take part in the “Mar de Almas” Janal Pixan 2026 festival, a celebration designed to preserve Day of the Dead traditions and the coastal town’s cultural identity.

The festival will take place on Oct. 24 and Nov. 1-2, with a program that includes boat processions, a walking procession featuring canoes from Puerto Morelos, concerts, ceremonies and a cultural event.

“Mar de Almas is a celebration to reconnect with our roots, keep our traditions alive and share with new generations the pride of our identity,” the mayor said, stressing the importance of families joining in the activities being prepared.

Alongside the processions and performances, organizers have scheduled a series of contests covering catrina and catrin costumes, decorated facades, monumental catrinas, decorated boats, and handmade catrinas and alebrijes.

Adriana Nava Gómez, director of the Municipal Institute of Culture and Arts of Puerto Morelos, said registration is now open for the various competitions. Participants can sign up at the institute’s offices between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and the deadline to enter is Oct. 23, 2026.

Contests and Prizes

• Decorated Boats 2026: Open to the fishing community and aquatic services, entries will be judged on creativity, folk art and the preservation of traditions. Vessels must be decorated with Day of the Dead motifs without affecting navigation or the safety of their crews. In the free category, prizes are 19,000 pesos for first place, 13,000 for second and 8,000 for third.
• Decorated Facades: Businesses and institutions may enter, provided they follow the rules, including ensuring people’s safety and not blocking sidewalks, pedestrian access, roads or emergency exits. Prizes are 10,000, 5,000 and 3,000 pesos for first, second and third place.
• Handmade Catrinas and Alebrijes: Participants may enter individually or in teams, and will be judged on the use of recycled or natural materials, creativity and adherence to tradition. Winners receive 7,000, 5,000 and 3,000 pesos.
• Catrina and Catrin Characterization: Judging will cover costume and makeup, creativity in line with Mexican tradition and stage performance. The top three places will be awarded in both the children’s and free categories.

Organizers said more information is available on the Puerto Morelos municipal government’s Facebook page, which includes a QR code for each contest detailing the documents required to enter and the date winners will be announced.