Sayulita · 2026
Día de MuertosLive the tradition
Experience the colour, the connection and the traditions of Sayulita.
On our doorstep
Five days,
and Sayulita is the stage.
Día de Muertos in Bahía de Banderas is a festival, and the hostel is in the middle of where it happens.
Main venueSayulita
When29 October – 2 November 2026
The Festival Internacional Día de Muertos Bahía de Banderas 2026 runs from the 29th of October to the 2nd of November. Altars, catrinas, parades, music, dance, food and an international surf contest, across five towns of the municipality.
Sayulita is the sede principal — the main venue — with the rest of the programme spread between Bucerías, San Pancho, San Juan de Abajo and Valle de Banderas.
Sayulita
A tradition that lives
in front of the sea.
For these days the streets, the plaza, the beach and the cemetery fill with marigolds, candles, altars and catrinas.
It is the one week of the year when the town everyone comes to for the waves is busiest with something else entirely — and the two sit beside each other without either giving way.
Torneo Internacional de Surf
The contest,
on the main beach.
Four days of heats on Playa Principal, ending with the finals and the prize-giving on the 1st of November.
WherePlaya Principal, Sayulita
When29 October – 1 November 2026
Entry$500 to $1,500 MXN, depending on the category
Mexican and international surfers compete across ten categories, from shortboard open to a dog surf exhibition.
Categories
- Shortboard Open — men
- Shortboard Open — women
- Longboard Open — men
- Longboard Open — women
- Shortboard Under-14 — mixed
- SUP Racing — men
- SUP Racing — women
- Bodyboard Open — mixed
- Para Surf Open — mixed
- Dog Surf — exhibition
The technical meeting and athletes’ briefing is at 18:00 on the 28th of October, on the terrace of Hotel Sayulinda. Signing the release forms there is compulsory.
The five days
What happens when.
- 28 OctoberTechnical meeting and athletes’ briefing, 18:00, Hotel Sayulinda.
- 29 OctoberThe surf contest begins on Playa Principal.
- 31 October – 2 NovemberDía de Muertos itself: parades, altars, performances and food.
- 1 NovemberContest finals and the prize-giving.
- 2 NovemberThe last day of Día de Muertos, and the festival closes.
Five towns
Where it happens.
- Main venue
Sayulita
The festival, and the international surf contest.
Bucerías
Cultural and traditional activities.
San Pancho
Community celebration and cultural activities.
San Juan de Abajo
Altars, a parade, music, dance and traditional activities.
Valle de Banderas
Cultural activities and the Día de Muertos celebration.
Prize money
What is on the table.
| Category | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Category total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shortboard Open — men | MX$80,000 | MX$40,000 | MX$20,000 | MX$140,000 |
| Shortboard Open — women | MX$40,000 | MX$20,000 | MX$10,000 | MX$70,000 |
| Longboard Open — men | MX$40,000 | MX$20,000 | MX$10,000 | MX$70,000 |
| Longboard Open — women | MX$40,000 | MX$20,000 | MX$10,000 | MX$70,000 |
| Shortboard Under-14 — mixed | MX$15,000 | MX$10,000 | MX$5,000 | MX$30,000 |
| SUP Racing — men | MX$10,000 | MX$7,000 | MX$5,000 | MX$22,000 |
| SUP Racing — women | MX$10,000 | MX$7,000 | MX$5,000 | MX$22,000 |
| Bodyboard Open — mixed | MX$10,000 | MX$7,000 | MX$5,000 | MX$22,000 |
| Para Surf Open — mixed | MX$10,000 | MX$7,000 | MX$5,000 | MX$22,000 |
| Dog Surf — exhibition | MX$5,000 | MX$3,000 | MX$2,000 | MX$10,000 |
| Total prize money | MX$478,000 | |||
Where to stay
A hundred steps
from all of it.
La Redonda is in the middle of Sayulita, a hundred steps from the sand — dorm beds and two private cabins, breakfast included. The town fills up for these days, and what is free is in the booking system.
The programme, the dates, the entry fees and the prize money above are the Festival Internacional Día de Muertos Bahía de Banderas 2026, organised by the H. XII Ayuntamiento de Bahía de Banderas. They are the organiser’s to change, not ours — check the official page before you travel on them. turismo.bahiadebanderas.gob.mx