Although Roman Catholic leaders urge their flocks to treat Easter as a time for reflection and abstention from excesses, few people in this country take heed.
In fact, Easter is the time when most Mexicans let their hair down and head off for a week or two of hard partying at the beach. Many winter foreign residents of coastal towns such as Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Barra de Navidad and Mazatlan have headed north prior to the Easter invasion. Hotels have been booked for months, and many families who arrive without reservations simply pitch a tent on the beach.
Easter is the perfect time for lakeside residents to visit Guadalajara, since the mass exodus to the coast reduces traffic and smog levels dramatically.
Driving on the highway, however, is riskier at Easter. Traffic more than doubles as many city drivers venture out on the highway for their only time in the year. The combination of hot weather, slow going and irritable drivers leads to an increase in the number of accidents and fatalities. Despite intense campaigns by organizations such as the Red Cross and Highway Patrol, many drivers do not heed the warnings and continue to drive recklessly.
It’s not only the beach that fills up during Easter. Many of the colonial towns and cities of central Mexico are popular too. Guanajuato, San Miguel, Queretero, Zacatecas and Morelia will expect their fair share of visitors this year. Those heading for any of these places should call ahead and make hotel reservations.
Mexico City is arguably at its calmest during Holy Week, as entire families desert the metropolis in favor of more peaceful retreats. The streets of the capital are less clogged, the subways aren’t jammed with frantic commuters and the sights can be enjoyed in a relaxed manner. Mexico City hotels often offer good rates at this time, too.