Holiday Getaways: Semana Santa and Mexican Spring Break
Spring Break comes in waves, with thousands upon thousands of students from the United States, Canada, and mainland México heading to Los Cabos each year for a bit of rest and recreation. This annual collegiate migration to Médano Beach typically begins in mid- to late-February and culminates in April during Semana Santa, also known as Mexican Spring Break.
Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is the period between Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus’s arrival in Jerusalem, and Easter Sunday, the remembrance of his resurrection. It’s a very important week for Catholics and a time for public religious observances in all predominantly Catholic areas.
Religious observances in México during Semana Santa, or Holy Week, often include processions and passion plays on Good Friday. Image: Fany1988
It is also a peak vacation period for people across México and a time for celebrations. Students and government workers typically are off during Semana Santa, as well as the week following Easter, and many students and families take advantage of the superb spring weather across the country by flocking to beaches in resort areas like Los Cabos.
For the uninitiated, here are’s a brief guide to the upcoming Catholic calendar:
Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday) – This is the fifth day of Holy Week, and it commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus and the Apostles. It also begins what is called The Three Days, the period that stretches from evening mass on Thursday to Easter Sunday and recalls the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Feet washing ceremonies, which commemorate Jesus washing the feet of the apostles before the Last Supper, are also common. And in parts of México, and indeed in many Spanish-speaking countries, there is a tradition of visiting seven churches (a reference to the letters to the seven churches John mentions in the Book of Revelations).
Viernes Santo (Good Friday) – This day remembers the crucifixion of Christ, and processions and passion plays are common throughout México. The most famous passion play is held in Iztapalapa, a borough of Mexico City, and dates back to a cholera epidemic in the 19th century. Although millions of people show up for the costumed reenactments that take place throughout Holy Week in Iztapalapa, Good Friday’s passion play is the most important.
Semana Santa parties are scheduled for April 17-20 at Nikki Beach, with food, drinks, dancing, and live entertainment. To reserve your Bali bed or preferred bottle service label, visit
Sábado de Gloria (Holy Saturday) – Although the day remembers Jesus in his tomb, in México, the focus is on Judas, the man who betrayed him. Papier-mâché effigies, which generally look like Satan (and occasionally unpopular political figures) are burned or exploded by means of firecrackers.
Domingo de Pascua (Easter Sunday) – Outside of Christmas, this is the most important religious holiday of the year and the culmination of Lent, which begins every year on Ash Wednesday. Easter is a day for family celebrations, and for attending Mass, of course, but there are also fireworks and other festivities held throughout the country.
For those seeking to take full advantage of the week’s other celebratory aspects, Nikki Beach at ME Cabo Resort in Cabo San Lucas, the area’s premier poolside party spot, is offering four days of Semana Santa–themed parties starting on Thursday, April 17, and ending on Easter Sunday, April 20. Festivities include food, drinks, and dancing to an international cast of DJs. To reserve your Champagne and Opium bed overlooking Medano Beach, visit www.nikkibeachcabo.com.