Mexico’s luxury hospitality sector is placing cultural experiences at the heart of destination travel as Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita prepares to host Catrinas Fest 2026 from October 30 to November 1.
The three-day celebration at the Riviera Nayarit oceanfront resort will honour Día de Muertos through Mexican cuisine, remembrance traditions, entertainment and family activities. An all-female chef lineup will anchor the culinary programme, bringing together talent connected with Mexico City, Tijuana and Riviera Nayarit.
For international visitors, the festival offers an opportunity to experience one of Mexico’s most recognised cultural traditions within a resort environment. It also demonstrates how luxury hotels are increasingly using authentic local heritage, gastronomy and storytelling to create more meaningful stays.
Female chefs lead the culinary celebration
Catrinas Fest 2026 will feature chefs Lula Martín del Campo, Yesenia Ríos, Leslie Durso and Sandra Flores López.
Their participation brings different culinary perspectives to the programme while placing Mexican ingredients, regional identities and personal stories at the centre of the dining experience.
Chef Lula Martín del Campo brings a strong connection to Mexican culinary heritage, with an approach that celebrates traditional ingredients and the country’s food culture.
Chef Yesenia Ríos adds another regional perspective shaped by her culinary journey from Tijuana through international and Mexican kitchens.
Leslie Durso, the plant-based chef at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, represents the growing intersection between wellness and modern luxury dining.
Sandra Flores López, from Tepic in Nayarit and part of the culinary team at Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, adds a strong connection to the destination’s regional hospitality landscape.
Together, the chefs will use food to connect visitors with memory, place and tradition throughout the Día de Muertos weekend.
Día de Muertos dinner opens the festival
The celebration will begin on Friday, October 30, with the Día de Muertos Dinner at Dos Catrinas.
Live culinary stations will bring the guest chefs together with the resort team, allowing visitors to explore different expressions of Mexican cuisine during one evening. Face painting and other festive elements will help introduce guests to the visual traditions associated with Catrinas Fest.
Entertainment will further build the atmosphere, turning dinner into an immersive cultural experience rather than a conventional resort meal.
This approach reflects an important shift within luxury hospitality. Premium travellers increasingly seek experiences that connect them to a destination rather than isolating them from its identity.
Tertulia Night combines cuisine and storytelling
On October 31, Tertulia Night will become one of the signature events of the festival.
A four-course plated dinner will showcase the all-female culinary lineup, with Mexican flavours serving as a starting point for stories about communities, ingredients and memories.
Mariachi music will strengthen the connection with Mexican culture before later entertainment continues at MEZ Bar.
At the heart of the weekend will also be an ofrenda, or remembrance altar. Guests will have the opportunity to contribute photographs and personal offerings in honour of loved ones. The shared installation turns remembrance into a meaningful part of the visitor experience.
Rather than treating Día de Muertos simply as visual entertainment, the programme places its traditions of memory and connection within the wider hospitality experience.
Families gain hands-on cultural experiences
Catrinas Fest 2026 will also extend beyond adult dining experiences through the resort’s Kids For All Seasons programming.
Younger visitors will be able to participate in creative activities inspired by Día de Muertos, helping families experience Mexican traditions together.
Planned experiences include alebrije creation, decorative workshops, family entertainment and Día de Muertos-inspired mask making.
These activities provide an accessible introduction to Mexican creativity while supporting one of the fastest-changing areas of luxury family travel: multigenerational experiences that combine education, entertainment and cultural discovery.
For parents, the programme adds depth to a resort holiday. Children can engage with regional traditions rather than experiencing the destination only through pools, beaches and conventional recreational activities.
Riviera Nayarit strengthens cultural tourism appeal
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita occupies an oceanfront setting on Mexico’s Pacific coast in Riviera Nayarit, giving the festival another dimension for visitors combining cultural travel with resort relaxation.
The destination already draws travellers for beaches, cuisine, outdoor experiences and premium accommodation. Events such as Catrinas Fest can encourage visitors to connect those attractions with Mexico’s deeper cultural traditions.
By combining an all-female chef programme, family activities, remembrance rituals and entertainment, Catrinas Fest 2026 demonstrates how local culture can become a central element of luxury travel.
For Mexico’s hospitality sector, the festival highlights the value of experiences rooted in place. For travellers, it offers something equally significant: an opportunity to celebrate Día de Muertos through food, creativity and remembrance while discovering the cultural identity of Riviera Nayarit.
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