Los Cabos is preparing to celebrate the Day of the Dead, one of the most emblematic festivities in Mexico, with a series of events that combine the rich cultural tradition with the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the destination. From parades full of life to altars that honor loved ones, this holiday offers a unique experience for both locals and visitors.

Featured Activities:

• Offering Contest: In Plaza Amelia Wilkes, in the heart of Cabo San Lucas, the traditional offering contest will be held, where participants will compete to create the most representative and colorful offering. This event is not only a competition, but also an opportunity for families to share their stories and traditions with the community and tourists.
• Walk in San José del Cabo: A tour of the historic streets of San José del Cabo, adorned with cempasúchil and altars, will allow attendees to immerse themselves in the essence of the Day of the Dead. During the walk, you can see the offerings made by local residents, each with its own personal touch and special meaning.
• Catrinas Contest in Plaza Mijares: The traditional Catrinas contest in Plaza Mijares in Los Cabos is one of the most anticipated events during the Day of the Dead celebrations. This colorful pageant stands out for the creativity and detail with which the outfits inspired by the iconic Mexican figure are made. The Catrinas parade through the plaza, displaying impressive costumes full of symbolism, flowers and artistic makeup that evoke the cultural richness of Mexico. The event is not only a celebration of life and death, but also a space to preserve and promote Mexican traditions in an environment full of joy and respect.
• Holistic Rituals: Various spas and wellness centers will offer holistic rituals inspired by ancient Mexican traditions, providing an experience of renewal and spiritual connection. These rituals will include everything from temazcales to traditional herbal massages, designed to honor ancestors and promote comprehensive well-being.
• Live Music: Concerts and performances of traditional Mexican music will take place at different points throughout the destination, creating a festive and joyful atmosphere. Visitors will be able to enjoy mariachis, wind bands and folkloric dance groups that will fill the air with vibrant melodies and rhythms.
• Wine Tasting: Visitors will be able to enjoy tastings of local wines, paired with typical dishes from the region, in an environment that celebrates life and death in a unique way. This activity will allow attendees to explore the flavors of Baja California Sur while learning about the history and wine culture of the region.
• Beach Party: At Playa Grande Resort, on October 30, a vibrant and music-filled atmosphere is created; a perfect mix of fun and unparalleled views at sunset, creating an ideal festive experience for those looking to celebrate these mystical dates in a premium environment by the sea.

Rodrigo Esponda, General Director of the Los Cabos Tourism Trust (FITURCA), commented: “The Day of the Dead in Los Cabos is a celebration that reflects our cultural identity and our ability to innovate. We invite everyone to live this experience that combines tradition and modernity in an unparalleled setting. It is an opportunity for visitors to connect with our roots and discover the richness of our customs.”

In addition to the activities mentioned above, hotels and restaurants in Los Cabos will also join in the celebration with special menus, themed decorations and private events that will allow guests to enjoy the holiday in a more intimate and personalized atmosphere.

Investment in rural tourism to empower local communities and build a sustainable future was the main message promoted by the Los Cabos delegation during its participation in IMEX America 2024, one of the most important events in the meetings industry, which took place from October 8 to 10 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Los Cabos' commitment to sustainable tourism was shared in more than 500 business meetings during the 2024 edition of IMEX America, in which more than 30 representatives of the tourism industry in Los Cabos participated, including hotels, service providers and DMCs. Of note was the attendance of the Consul of Mexico in Las Vegas, Patricia Cortes, who attended the ribbon cutting.

As part of the promotional activity for Los Cabos at IMEX America, a special presentation was held for 300 meeting planners in collaboration with MPI, as well as interviews with more than 10 media outlets, 15 meetings with 230 meeting planners, and a special collaboration with Site Nite IMEX America, among other activities.

Los Cabos has emphasized at IMEX America its commitment to authentic and immersive rural experiences to empower local communities and enhance its incentive travel offering. Maintaining its reputation for high-quality service, luxury accommodations, and MICHELIN-starred restaurants, Los Cabos is making significant investments in rural tourism to offer corporate groups the opportunity to interact with local communities and embrace sustainability, while enjoying the high-end services for which the destination is known.

“The future of meetings and incentive travel lies in authentic and purposeful experiences,” said Rodrigo Esponda, General Manager of the Los Cabos Tourism Trust. “By developing rural tourism, Los Cabos is diversifying its tourism experiences to include immersive, community-based activities that benefit local businesses and create a deeper connection between visitors and local people. This not only enhances the visitor experience, but also strengthens the positive impact tourism has on the region.”

Los Cabos has carefully selected diverse experiences to combine environmental sustainability with cultural engagement, ensuring a lasting impact on participants, under the following criteria:

• Enhance the participant experience: Itineraries are designed to foster team spirit through unique activities such as pottery workshops, guided nature walks, and cultural exchanges, providing a shared sense of accomplishment and a deeper connection through rich cultural and wellness experiences.
• Support community development: By engaging with local communities, incentive travel programs bring direct economic benefits to small businesses and artisans, promoting sustainable tourism practices and preserving cultural heritage.
• Preserving Natural Heritage: Recognizing the importance of its unique ecosystems, Los Cabos is investing in green infrastructure and promoting responsible tourism practices that allow event planners to plan environmentally conscious retreats. This includes developing eco-lodges, supporting sustainable agriculture initiatives, and creating educational programs that highlight the importance of conservation.

The shift toward rural tourism allows meeting and event planners to incorporate environmental responsibility and social well-being into their itineraries, integrating corporate responsibility into the travel experience. By embracing these elements, Los Cabos is diversifying to offer a destination rich in culture and community-driven experiences, ideal for creating unique and unforgettable meetings and events. This approach also ensures that the economic benefits of tourism are more equitably distributed among the local community, while protecting the natural environment and preserving the cultural heritage that makes Los Cabos a unique place to visit.

Isidro Benítez from Puebla won the Mexico Match Play and obtained an exemption to play the World Wide Technology Championship, the PGA TOUR tournament with the greatest tradition and history in Mexico and Latin America, which will take place from November 7 to 10, 2024 at the El Cardonal Golf Course in Diamante Cabo San Lucas.

The 25-year-old Mexican came back to beat amateur Enrique José Karg (2&1) in the final, which was held on the tournament's host course. With this victory, the tricolor returns for the third consecutive year to the World Wide Technology Championship to play the event in the highest category of golf. It will be his fourth participation in total in the event (2020, 2022-2024). In the 2023 edition, he made the cut and finished in 65th place (71-67-72-67=277, -11).

“I am happy to have won the Mexico Match Play. A fantastic week awaits me in November at this incredible tournament and I am looking forward to returning. These last days of competition were impeccable and everything went very well in terms of organization and results,” said Benítez, after Wednesday’s victory at El Cardonal in Diamante.

Benitez finished with a birdie on three of his last four holes in the championship match on Wednesday afternoon. He holed a putt of more than six meters on the 17th hole to seal the victory. Karg from Guadalajara, Jalisco, and at only 19 years of age, proved himself to be a worthy opponent for Benitez since the Guadalajara native had the advantage for almost the entire match until Benítez’s comeback in the last holes of the round.

The Puebla native advanced to the Mexico Match Play after finishing fourth in the Mexican Qualifier presented by National Car Rental on Monday, October 7, with a score of 107 strokes (2-under-par).

On Tuesday morning, in the round of 16, the left-hander beat the South Californian Alberto Ruiz Nava in 19 holes and that same day in the afternoon, corresponding to the quarterfinals, he beat (2&1) the Guadalajara native Mauricio Figueroa. Today, Wednesday, at dawn in the capital, the semifinals took place in which he beat the Morelos native Roberto Rodríguez Cacho (2&1). For the grand final, he faced Karg, a Mexican amateur who had just beaten the Puebla native Alejandro Madariaga. The young golfer took the lead on Hole 4, after a bogey by Isidro, who recovered for the next flag. The Guadalajara native won Hole 6 and extended his lead to two before playing the back-nine. In an emotionally charged finale, Benitez took four holes in a row, from 14 to 17, to turn the tables and claim the victory, and thus, the exemption to join his countryman Santiago De La Fuente, who triumphed on Monday in the Mexican Qualifier presented by National Car Rental.

The PGA TOUR, a showcase of the best golfers in the world competing on the most iconic golf courses, and as part of the FedExCup, will bring together a field of 120 players who will compete in 72 holes of stroke play. The four rounds will be televised worldwide through the extensive PGA TOUR television distribution network, including Golf Channel in the United States and Golf Channel Latin America in Mexico and throughout Latin America. Internationally, PGA TOUR coverage is available in more than 200 countries and territories in 26 languages ​​through 44 conventional and digital media broadcast partners.

Tickets for the 2024 World Wide Technology Championship are now on sale at tickets.wwtchampionship.com; here you will find different options for spectators to live the best experience live and in person, and enjoy world-class golf and the wonderful landscape that Los Cabos offers. General Admission tickets grant entry to the golf course and tournament facilities, as well as to the different special events and gourmet concessions options. Two children 15 years or younger enter free, accompanied by a paying adult. Access to the Hospitality areas is also on sale, from Tacos on 17 by La Lupita, which offers an exclusive party venue with exquisite Mexican cuisine, to private suites and more exclusive hospitality venues such as The Woods and The Skybox.

Guillermo Rivelino, General Director of Nautical Festivals in Mexico, offered details about the next edition of the "Altares en el Mar" nautical parade, which will be held on November 1 and 2 to commemorate the Day of the Dead in the bay of Cabo San Lucas. At the press conference held at the Pueblo Bonito Rosé hotel, Rivelino highlighted the innovations and the renewed focus of this unique event in Mexico, which combines Mexican tradition with a nautical spectacle.

A Change of Schedule and a Parade of Monumental Catrinas

One of the main novelties this year is the change of schedule. Instead of being held at night, the parade will begin at 4:30 in the afternoon, allowing the use of natural light to highlight the decorations. According to Rivelino, the boats will be adorned with "monumental catrinas sailing through the bay," offering a more striking visual spectacle than in previous editions. The parade will travel a circuit from the Pueblo Bonito Rosé hotel to the Breathless hotel, and will return to culminate with a fireworks show at 5:40 p.m.

"This year we are going to have unique performances, with catrinas on paddleboards and underwater catrinas, which will delight spectators from the water. It is something that has not been seen anywhere else in Mexico," he said.

First Route of the Bread of the Dead in Playa El Médano

In this edition of the festival, the first "Route of the Bread of the Dead" is incorporated, a new initiative in collaboration with the businessmen of Playa El Médano. During the event, pastry chefs from businesses in the area will present a special exhibition of bread of the dead, offering attendees the opportunity to taste different styles and flavors of this emblematic traditional Mexican bread. "It's a way to integrate gastronomy into the festivity and provide a complete experience for our visitors," said the director.

University Altar Contest

The traditional altar and catrina contest, which is celebrating its third edition this year, will bring together students from public and private universities in Los Cabos. This event will take place at 4:30 p.m. on November 1st on the external esplanade of Plaza Puerto Paraíso. Rivelino highlighted the record participation of more than 50 altars and 45 catrinas, a sign of the growing interest of young people in preserving and promoting Mexican traditions.

A Fusion of Tradition and Culture in Cabo San Lucas

Rivelino also stressed the importance of relaunching the Day of the Dead celebration in Los Cabos, a tourist destination with a large influx of international visitors. "We live in a place where Halloween has a lot of presence due to the influence of Anglo-Saxon culture, but we are proud to be able to return to our roots and show the world the richness of our Mexican traditions," he explained.

Attendance Expectations and a Call for Responsibility

It is expected that between 20 and 22 thousand people will attend the nautical parade during the two days of the festival, although Rivelino mentioned that, thanks to the new alliances with business associations, they could reach 30 or 40 thousand attendees. "We want people to come prepared, with their umbrellas and chairs, and to enjoy the show safely. In addition, we call on everyone to take care of the environment and keep the place clean," he said.

The "Altars in the Sea" nautical parade promises to be an unforgettable experience, combining the beauty of the Sea of ​​Cortez with the cultural richness of the Day of the Dead, a tradition that, in the words of Rivelino, "is a pride to share with the world."