Semana Santa is undoubtedly the most important holiday in Mexican culture. Here in Baja Sur, it is traditional that entire families travel to the beautiful beaches and camp for that entire week.
Here in Mexico, we celebrate the last days of Christ during Holy Week with elaborate processions, ceremonies, and rituals. Most Semana Santa celebrations include a dramatic reenactment of the capture, the trial, and the crucifixion of Jesus. To be a part of these productions is a great honor and the actors are known for delivering inspiring and moving performances. Other traditions focus on different ways to show your dedication and appreciation of Jesus’s sacrifice. In Iztapalapa, people called Nazarenes parade the streets before the procession of Christ, marching in promise to fulfill a manda, or religious promise, as payment for a granted favor from God. In many regions of Mexico, people show their devotion by visiting twelve different churches in a single day – one church for each apostle.
Semana Santa (The Holy Week), begins on Palm Sunday and ends Easter Saturday.
Pascua starts on Easter Sunday and ends the following Saturday. That is obviously not happening in 2020 due to the covid19 pandemic. Though there are flights nationally between the mainland and the peninsula, local beaches have been closed completely. If you’re headed for mexico, check out the local pandemic update page before you come!
There were many spring breakers who actually did show up to party central, but they brought the virus with them, shared it with locals, and then went home only to find they tested positive. Most baja sur residents were, and still are, living through the ramifications. As of the writing of this post, there are 66 confirmed cases in Los Cabos (Lapaz to Cabo San Lucas, to Todos Santos) and, thank God, only 3 deaths!
Authorities have been testing locals and travelers. Tests resulted in 187 negative results, 72 suspicious and 46 confirmed cases in Los Cabos. There are currently 5 in La Paz. These numbers are very low considering that there are 3.3 Million people living in the area of Cabo San Lucas. Cabo San Lucas is currently under Phase 2 against COVID-19. For us, this means that beaches, restaurants, bars, hotels, and any nonessential activities have been suspended. Word is they will probably resume early May 2020.
But, I digress; let’s talk more about Semana Santos in normal years in Mexico:
Yes! Semana Santa is undoubtedly the most important holiday in Mexican culture. Here in Baja Sur, it is traditional that entire families travel to the beautiful beaches and camp for that entire week. Schools and often businesses in Mexico close during these two weeks and many Mexican families go on holiday. During Semana Santa and Pascua…many come here, to Baja Sur! Beaches are full of tents, cars, fires at night, people fishing, and lots of inter-camp parties.
These 2 weeks are full of local parades, displays, people in the street singing, dancing. Enjoying the celebration of Christ’s gift to the world. We’ll be doing things differently this year. But the hearts of all will still be full of the love and acknowledgement of that same Gift. No matter the ability to demonstrate those feelings publicly; Semana Santa is upon us!
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