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Experience October in Mérida: Food, Culture & Janal Pixán
Updated: 4 days ago
What October Feels Like
October in Mérida is a month of transition. Gran Parque La Plancha is lush and green as the rainy season begins its slow shift toward the cooler, drier months ahead. While summer hasn't quite let go, you'll begin to notice subtle changes that make every day in October feel a little different.
The gardens here at Los Colores de Merida B&B are at their most vibrant. The tropical plants are flourishing, and the new additions planted at the start of the rainy season have become well established. Mornings are often sunny, making them the perfect time for a leisurely walk along nearby Paseo de Montejo before breakfast, joining a local run group, or simply enjoying a quiet moment on the front patio.
Afternoons still belong to the tropics. Early in the month, warm temperatures, high humidity, and heavy downpours are common, so it's a great time to explore Mérida's museums, galleries, or cafés. Don't forget an umbrella! Rain showers can arrive with little warning, but they usually pass quickly, often leaving behind cooler air and beautiful evenings that are perfect for dinner, a stroll through Centro, or relaxing by the pool and staring at the stars.
If you're visiting during the warmer weeks of October, La Habitación Rosa is our coolest room. Located on the ground floor, it stays naturally cooler throughout the day and is a wonderful place to relax while an afternoon rainstorm passes through. Open the curtains, listen to the rain falling over the gardens, and enjoy one of those quiet moments that make slow travel so memorable.
By the middle of October, the weather begins to feel noticeably different. Rain becomes less frequent, humidity slowly eases, and evenings grow more comfortable. While an unexpected tropical shower is always possible, you'll find yourself spending more time outdoors as the month progresses. The front patio becomes a pleasant place to escape the afternoon heat, while evenings on the sofa in the rear gardens become increasingly inviting.
Just as we pass the middle of the month, Mérida begins preparing for Festival de las Ánimas, the celebration that marks the beginning of the city's busiest travel season. Streets, cafés, museums, and plazas become livelier as visitors arrive from across Mexico and beyond. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting during the first half of the month, when the city still moves at its slowest pace.
Locals also keep an eye on the weather for another reason. By late October, there's always the possibility of the season's first Norte, a cool front that brings refreshing breezes and noticeably cooler temperatures. Visitors may smile at what Yucatecos call "cool," but after months of tropical heat, you'll quickly understand why it's something we all look forward to.
October Weather at a Glance
October 1–10
Daytime highs: 33–35°C (91–95°F)
Nights: 23–25°C (73–77°F)
Hot, humid days with frequent afternoon or evening thunderstorms.
Mornings are usually sunny before clouds build later in the day.
October 11–20
Temperatures remain warm but begin to feel less oppressive.
Rain becomes less frequent.
Humidity slowly starts to decrease.
Evenings become more comfortable for dining and exploring.
October 21–31
Daytime highs: 31–33°C (88–91°F)
Nights: 21–23°C (70–73°F)
Rainfall decreases noticeably.
• Cooler evenings become more common, and the first Norte of the season is possible.
Ready for morning walks on Paseo de Montejo and cooling off in the hot afternoons by the pool? Book 45+ days in advance and save 10% when you book directly with Los Colores.
Life in Mérida &
Los Colores
Los Colores de Merida B&B is in a traditional Mérida neighborhood, not the zona turística. Real life is happening here. We say buenos días to strangers on the street and sit fresca in the early evenings, catching up with our neighbors. Staying here gives you a chance to become part of that everyday life for a little while.
Your day begins at Los Colores, perhaps stepping out of La Habication Azul and into the tropical gardens before joining your fellow travelers for 4 course Yucatecan-style breakfast.
By October, the house and gardens begin to change with the season. Toward the end of the month, flower stands fill with traditional flowers for Janal Pixán, including Cempasúchil (Marigold), Xpujuc (Flor de Xpujuc), Cresta de Gallo (Cockscomb) and Nube (Baby’s Breath). I’ll be collecting them to decorate around the house and our Janal Pixán altar.
And then there’s the food. October brings some of Yucatán’s most meaningful culinary traditions, with Mucbipollo, a large tamale prepared in many different ways depending on each family’s traditions, taking center stage. This year, we’ll begin our own “Pib” tradition at Los Colores as I learn how to prepare it from my neighbor, Nelly. Frijol con Puerco will also make an appearance on our breakfast menu, along with a special tamale made with espelón especially for the season.
As you walk around our Mérida Centro neighborhood of Santiago, you’ll begin to see families adding Janal Pixán altars to their homes and displaying them outside. Take a moment to look at them and understand their meaning. Each one is unique, shaped by the traditions and memories of that particular family. Because our neighborhood remains authentic and traditional, you’ll have the opportunity to see altar traditions that families have carried on for generations.
Just in time for Festival de las Ánimas, we’ll transform Los Colores for the season with traditional flowers, an altar, decorations, special foods and the scent of burning copal. October traditions become part of everyday life here, and you’ll see and taste the season from the moment you wake up at Los Colores to the time you head out to explore the neighborhood.
Stay Connected to Mérida
And keep a little piece of your home at Los Colores with you.
Celebrations & Traditions
Janal Pixán
Janal Pixán (pronounced hah-NAHL pee-SHAHN) means “Food for the Souls” in the Yucatec Maya language.
For generations, Maya families have honored their ancestors by welcoming their souls back into the world of the living with food, offerings, and ceremonies. Death is understood as part of the natural cycle of life, and the connection between the living and those who have passed remains an important part of Maya tradition.
When Spanish colonists arrived, Catholic traditions including All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2) became part of the region’s religious and cultural life. Over time, these traditions blended with existing Maya practices, creating the distinctly Yucatecan traditions we know today as Janal Pixán.
Families create altares, or altars, decorated with photographs, candles, flowers, favorite foods, drinks, and personal belongings of those they remember. One of the season’s most important foods is Mucbipollo, or Pib, a large tamal traditionally cooked underground and shared with family.
While celebrations of Día de los Muertos in other parts of Mexico can be colorful and public, Janal Pixán is traditionally more intimate and centered around family, remembrance, and welcoming loved ones home.
October 31 – U Hanal Palal
Day of the Children (Little Souls)
Families honor children who have passed away with special offerings that may include toys, sweets, chocolate, fruit, candles, and flowers. The offerings are often simpler and reflect the things the children enjoyed in life.
November 1 – U Hanal Nucuch Uinicoob
Day of the Adults
The souls of adults are welcomed home with traditional foods and drinks, including mucbipollo (pib), tamales, atole, coffee, fruit, and other favorites of those being remembered.
November 2 – U Hanal Pixanoob
Day of All Souls
The final day honors all departed souls. Families may visit cemeteries to clean and decorate graves with flowers and candles, gathering together to remember their loved ones. It is a day of reflection, remembrance, and gratitude.
Janal Pixán at Los Colores
This will be the first year we create our own Janal Pixán altar at Los Colores de Merida B&B.
Our inspiration comes from the four elements that the Maya understood as essential to the world around us. We’ll bring those elements together with traditional flowers, offerings, food, and personal touches as we create a space to remember friends, family members, and pets who have passed.
And because this is something we’re creating together, our guests are invited to be part of it, too! Guests staying with us during Janal Pixán will have the opportunity to participate in preparing the altar and adding their own remembrance.
Festival de las Ánimas
October 24 - November 2
The Festival de las Ánimas is Mérida’s public celebration inspired by the traditions of Janal Pixán. While Janal Pixán is primarily experienced within families, homes, and cemeteries, the festival brings these traditions into the streets through lively cultural events that celebrate memory, history, and Yucatecan identity.
Here are some of the festival’s signature events and highlights.
Noche Mexicana del Dia de Muertos | October 24, 6:00 PM A special Día de Muertos edition of Mérida’s weekly Noche Mexicana, featuring local artisans, Yucatecan street food, traditional music, folkloric dance, and a festive celebration of the traditions surrounding Janal Pixán. October 24 at 6:00 PM.
Ánimas Iluminadas | October 24, 6:00 AM See Ánimas Iluminadas come to life as giant illuminated figures inspired by Yucatecan culture and the fine arts light up Parque de San Juan during Festival de las Ánimas.
Feria del Mucbipollo / Pib Festival | October 25, 8:00 AM Come hungry for one of the most delicious traditions of Janal Pixán. Try traditional pib, watch the underground cooking demonstration, and experience this Yucatecan food tradition. Go early because vendors can sell out.
Vaquería de Ánimas | October 26, 9:00 PM
Experience Vaquería de las Ánimas, a joyful Yucatecan tradition of jarana, terno, music, dance, and community celebration during Janal Pixán.
Paseo de las Ánimas | October 30, 6:00 PM A candlelit procession begins at the General Cemetery and travels to Parque de San Juan. Tens of thousands of residents and visitors gather along the route, most wearing traditional Yucatecan clothing. Anyone can participate in the procession, or you can find a spot along the route and watch it pass by.
Biciruta Nocturna de Ánimas | October 31, 6:00 PM
See Mérida from a different perspective as you cycle along Paseo de Montejo after dark during Festival de las Ánimas.
Desfile de las Catrinas | October 31, 8:00 PM The lively and colorful Catrinas parade begins at Plaza Grande and travels north along Calle 60 toward Calle 47. For a good view, it is usually easier to find a spot along Calle 60.
Altar Monumental & 1ª Entrega de Ofrendas | November 1 & 2, 10:00 AM
Visit Mérida’s monumental Janal Pixán altar and experience the tradition of remembering and honoring those who have passed.
Together, Janal Pixán and Festival de las Ánimas make late October and early November one of the most culturally meaningful times to experience Mérida. You’ll find traditions taking place in family homes, neighborhood streets, cemeteries, and throughout the city.
Things to Do
If you’re looking for something a little quieter than the atmosphere during the second half of October, Mérida still has plenty to offer!
Biciruta Nocturna | October 3
On the first Saturday of October, Paseo de Montejo closes to traffic for Biciruta Nocturna, turning the boulevard into a lively evening for bikes, rollerbladers, and anyone who wants to wander along the route. You’ll find plenty of reasons to stop along the way, from salsa music and local artists to marquesitas and other treats. With the evening temperatures beginning to cool, October is a great time to enjoy Mérida by bike.
Vaquería | Mondays at 9:00 PM
For a taste of traditional Yucatecan culture, head to Plaza Grande on Monday evenings for the weekly Vaquería. The evening begins with traditional music and dancing, and you’re welcome to watch or, sometimes, join in.
Try Mucbipollo
Some restaurants begin serving Pib, traditionally associated with Janal Pixán, earlier in October. If you want to try it before the larger Pib celebrations later in the month, I recommend Teya on Calle 60. Outside of the Pib Festival at the end of October, this is my favorite place to find it.
And speaking of food, if you’re lucky, El Apapacho may still be serving Chiles en Nogada. This Mexican classic is traditionally associated with September and Mexican Independence celebrations, but El Apapacho sometimes keeps it on the menu into early October. If tried many restaruant versions of Chiles en Nogada and even made my own! Outside of the Los Colores kitchen, El Apapacho is the best! If they are still serving it, don’t miss it. It really is unlike anything you’ve tasted before.
Take a Day Trip to Uxmal
Plan a day trip to Uxmal, one of my favorite archaeological zones in Yucatán. It’s about 90 minutes from Los Colores and is easily accessible by bus, car, or tour. I’m happy to help you decide which option makes the most sense for your time, needs, and budget.
If you visit Uxmal, I also highly recommend a trip to the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya afterward. Seeing the archaeological site first and then visiting the museum helps connect the history and culture you’ve encountered at Uxmal with the larger Maya world.
October 13, 5:00–7:00 PM You can also celebrate Felices Juntos: Otoño right here at Los Colores. AcclaimeYou can also celebrate Felices Juntos: Otoño right here at Los Colores. Acclaimed local artist Rosy Peraza will premiere new work alongside Emmiknits, featuring handmade natural-fiber clothing for all genders. Enjoy family-style food from private chef Dejoire Shantel, music by La Mano Que Sabe, and fermented honey drinks from RIG VEDA HIDRO. It’s an evening of art, creativity, food, music, and community without even leaving the B&B.
October 17, 7:30 AM
If you’re here on October 17, get up a little early and join Patricio for a gentle yoga class in the tropical gardens of Los Colores de Mérida B&B. It’s a wonderful way to wake up, move your body, and maybe make a new friend! The class is open to all levels and free for Los Colores guests. The Mérida community is also welcome to join on a pay-what-you-can basis.
Choose Your Itinerary in Mérida
How much time do you have? Three days gives you a taste of Mérida. Five days lets you settle into the rhythm of the city. Stay a full week, and Los Colores starts to feel a little like home.
These are ideas, not schedules. Leave room to follow your curiosity, change your plans, or simply enjoy an afternoon by the pool.
Whatever pace you choose, book your stay 45+ days in advance and save 10% when you book directly with Los Colores.
A Long Weekend
3 Days
Come for the weekend and get a taste of Mérida.
Settle into Los Colores, then explore the heart of the city around Plaza Grande, Calle 60, and Parque de Santa Lucía. Wander through Mercado Lucas de Gálvez, visit Museo de la Ciudad de Mérida, and discover the murals inside Palacio de Gobierno.
Join me for Pilates in the gardens, meet the other guests over breakfast, and spend your evenings with live music, salsa, Biciruta Nocturna, and the energy of Mérida after dark.
Try to include Sunday in your trip so you can explore Mérida en Domingo and pick up something from a local artisan to remember your weekend. It’s one of my favorite ways to spend a Sunday.
Settle In
5 Days
Five days gives you time to go beyond the highlights.
Spend a morning exploring Plaza Grande, the Cathedral, and the surrounding streets before cooling off in the Los Colores pool in the afternoon. Take a day trip to Uxmal, one of my favorite archaeological zones, or discover local galleries and neighborhood traditions, from La Serenata in Parque de Santa Lucía to Noche Mexicana at El Remate.
This is also enough time to start tasting the season. Look for Mucbipollo at local restaurants, and if Teya on Calle 60 has it on the menu, I recommend giving it a try.
There’s plenty of room for the things that make a stay at Los Colores feel personal: breakfast around the communal table, seasonal food from the kitchen, a swim in the garden pool, and perhaps an evening spent exploring with the other guests.
Feel at Home
7 Days
A full week lets you experience October at a different pace.
Go beyond Mérida with a day trip to Chichén Itzá or Uxmal, explore the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya and Museo de la Ciudad de Mérida, and leave plenty of room for the traditions of Janal Pixán and Festival de las Ánimas.
You might come with me to Mercado Santiago on a Saturday morning to shop for the weekend produce and meet Zoila, one of the vendors I shop with each week. You can add something meaningful to the Los Colores altar, join the Paseo de las Ánimas, watch the Desfile de las Catrinas, or taste different family Pibs at the Annual Mucbipollo Festival.
And because you have a full week, there’s still time for long breakfasts, a mid-day nap, cooling of with a Toesto frappe in the garden, and afternoons by the pool.
A week also gives you the freedom to discover some of Mérida’s everyday pleasures: a favorite taco stand, an unexpected gallery, or a neighborhood cantina.
By the end of the week, you still won’t have experienced everything Mérida has to offer.
Make Mérida Your Home
October is a wonderful time to experience Mérida as more than a destination. Wander the neighborhood, linger over breakfast, discover the traditions that make Yucatán unique, and let yourself settle into the rhythm of everyday life in Centro.
At Los Colores de Mérida B&B, we want you to feel at home from the moment you arrive. This is my home, too, in a real neighborhood filled with the sounds, colors, neighbors, and everyday life of Mérida. We’re a home first, rooted in the life of our neighborhood of Santiago. We want to share our home with people who are curious about the place they’re visiting, who enjoy sitting around the breakfast table, sharing stories, and making connections.
Come for Janal Pixán, the food, the culture, and the experience of October in Mérida. Stay a while, settle in, and maybe leave with a few new friends who feel a little like family.
Stay Connected to Mérida
And keep a little piece of your home at Los Colores with you.
Stay Here for a While
Tu hogar en Mérida.
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