Dia de los Muertos: Day of the Dead

Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated on November 1. It is believe that the spirits of the dead visit their families on October 31 and leave on November 2. Although celebrated all throughout Latin America, the holiday is most strongly associated with Mexico where it originated. Dia de los Muertos honors the dead with festivals and lively celebrations.

The Dia de los Muertos Celebration

Assured that the dead would be insulted by mourning or sadness, Dia de los Muertos celebrates the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and activities the dead enjoyed throughout their lives. The holiday recognizes death as a natural part of the human experience, a continuum with birth, childhood, and growing up to become a contributing member of the community. On Dia de los Muertos, the dead are also a part of the community, awakened from their eternal sleep to share in the celebration with their loved ones. While death is looked at with the same fear as many other cultures, the Mexican culture reflects that fear by mocking and living alongside the death.

Dia de Los Muertos Traditions

The most familiar symbol of Dia de los Muertos may be the calacas and calaveras (skeletons and skulls), which appear everywhere during the holiday, from candied sweets to parade masks and dolls. They are almost always portrayed as enjoying life, often in fancy clothes and entertaining situations. The calaveras (skulls) are decorated with bright colors and the name of the depared inscribed on the head. Dia de los Muertos festivities often feature breads, candies and other foods in the shape of skeletons and skulls. Candles and incense are burned to help the deceased find the way home. Many families construct an altar to the dead in their homes to honor deceased relatives, decorating it with candy, flowers, photographs, samples of the deceased's favorite foods and drinks, and fresh water. Often times, a wash basin and towel are also left out so that the spirit can wash up before indulging in the feast.

Feliz Dia de los Muertos from Lifestyle Villas! If you're looking to take part in any of our Mexican traditions and celebrations throughout the year, why not plan a vacation to Los Cabos and experience it in person. We offer luxury condos and beachfront homes in Los Cabos. A Lifestyle concierge can also help you plan the perfect itinerary for your visit so you don't miss out on any of the fun! Give us a call at 1-888-655-9589 to start planning your vacation today!

LIFESYLE Villas Los Cabos: BEST Luxury Villa Rentals in Mexico! 

LIFESTYLE Villas Los Cabos
Phone: 1-888-655-9589
Mexico: 624-144-4954

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9 International Travel Tips

Traveling can be a lot of fun, but it requires preparation and planning. Even if you travel a lot within the States, traveling internationally is a whole different story. Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you're planning to leave the country anytime soon:

1. Make Sure Your Passport Isn't Expired. 

While passports are good for quite a few years, if you haven't traveled in a couple years, you may want to check the date on it. Also, even if it's still valid, some countries won't let you enter if it's expiration date is within 6 months.

2. Notify Your Bank You'll Be Traveling. 

Credit card fraud is increasingly becoming an issue, so be sure to notify your bank before you leave the country. Chances are if you don't, they will freeze your account until you can contact them and confirm the international charges. This could leave you stuck in a foreign place with no money - which would not be good!

3. Take Medicine With You. 

While you may not take prescription medicine daily, you should plan to carry some basic pain relievers, such as Tylenol, Advil, Tums, etc. with you. While there will probably be a drugstore somewhere, you don't want to be hunting it down while you're not feeling well. Plus, depending on where you're traveling you may have issues translating to the pharmacist what you're looking for.

4. Turn Off Data Roaming On Your Cell. 

Cellphone companies can really get you with those international charges. Many businesses will have an international calling and data plan, but infrequent travelers don't. Be sure to set up your phone to avoid international data roaming. While international calling and texts can add charges to your bill, the biggest cost comes from transmitting data overseas. 

5. Convert Money In A Bank Or Local ATM. 

The currency conversion counters at airports, train stations, etc. can be a big rip-off. They know that you need local currency, so they won't give you the best conversion rates or they'll charge you extra fees. It's also a good idea to go ahead and order some foreign currency from your local American bank well before time to leave for your international destination.

6. Always Have Local Cash. 

In America, you can almost always count on paying with your credit card. In fact, many people have stopped carrying cash on them completely. However, in a foreign country you can't be dependent on that little piece of plastic. Make sure that you have enough local currency on you to make purchases as places that don't accept cards.

7. Pack Extra Clothes In Your Carry-On. 

You've heard stories about airlines losing people's luggage, but you think oh, that won't happen to me. Well, what if it does? It's better to be prepared by having an extra set of clothes with you in your carry-on. You don't want to be stuck wearing whatever you can find at the airport or nearest local store.

8. Research Things To Do Before Leaving. 

While you're plans don't have to be concrete, it's a good idea to make some plans for what you'd like to do and see while in another country. Our Lifestyle Villas Facebook page and website have great ideas for activities to partake in while you're vacationing in Los Cabos.

9. Bring Snacks With You. 

Airport food can be expensive and sometimes finding foreign food that you like can be difficult. Be sure to have some snacks on hand to hold you over until you get settled in at your Los Cabos villa and can find the perfect restaurant or grocery store.

Keep these tips in mind when you're planning on traveling to Los Cabos. Lifestyle Villas is here to help with all your trip needs. When you stay with us, all of your individual travel, property, hospitality and in-destination management services are taken care of by one trusted company. Contact Lifestyle Villas today at 1-888-655-9589 to get started with your vacation planning.

LIFESYLE Villas Los Cabos: BEST Luxury Villa Rentals in Mexico! 

LIFESTYLE Villas Los Cabos
Phone: 1-888-655-9589
Mexico: 624-144-4954

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Follow Us on Twitter
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