Puerto Morelos Plans Boat Procession, Altars and Contests for Mar de Almas

Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo — Puerto Morelos will mark this year’s Janal Pixan with decorated boats on the water, altars, music and community contests during its Mar de Almas festival on October 24 and November 1–2. Residents who want to enter a contest have until October 23 to register.

Janal Pixan is the Yucatán Peninsula’s tradition of remembering and welcoming deceased loved ones. In Puerto Morelos, the celebration also draws on the town’s relationship with the sea. The municipal program includes a procession of decorated boats, a procession on foot, a Maya fire ritual, the blessing of the municipal altar, visits to altars, traditional dances and performances by local groups.

The boat procession promises to be one of the festival’s most distinctive sights. Mayor Blanca Merari Tziu Muñoz said 16 vessels had signed up as of October 6. According to the municipality, participating boats have permits from the port authority, and the procession is being coordinated with the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas to protect the reef and marine life.

The musical program will include Pashil Vichanoc, a concert by the group Sesquiáltera featuring its interpretations of songs associated with Día de Muertos, including “La Llorona” and “La Bruja.” The municipality has announced the performance but has not yet published a day-by-day schedule for all activities.

How to Take Part

There are five announced contests: catrina and catrín costumes, decorated boats, decorated façades, handmade catrinas and alebrijes, and monumental catrinas. The official contest announcement links to the full rules for each category.

The decorated-boat contest is aimed at fishers and aquatic-tour operators. Decorations must reflect Día de Muertos without interfering with navigation or crew safety. Prizes in its open category are 19,000, 13,000 and 8,000 pesos for first through third place.

Businesses and institutions may enter the façade contest, provided their displays leave sidewalks, entrances, roads and emergency exits clear. Its top three prizes are 10,000, 5,000 and 3,000 pesos. Handmade catrinas and alebrijes can be entered individually or by teams; judges will consider creativity, tradition and the use of recycled or natural materials. Those prizes are 7,000, 5,000 and 3,000 pesos. The costume contest has children’s and open categories, with judging that includes dress, makeup and stage presentation.

Registration is available at the Puerto Morelos Municipal Institute of Culture and Arts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through October 23. Entrants should read the rules for their chosen contest before preparing a display or costume; documentation and judging details differ by category.

For spectators, the state tourism calendar lists Parque Fundadores as the festival location and 5 p.m. as a starting time, but it does not break down the schedule for each date. Check the municipality’s updates before setting out, particularly if you hope to catch the boat procession.

The wider municipal celebration also reaches Leona Vicario on October 30 with Alma y Raíz, a separate festival featuring a procession, altars, traditional music and activities for children and young people.