BajaNomad

Semana Santa in San Felipe

56MM# - 3-20-2012 at 10:28 AM

Am thinking about going to San Felipe for four days and three nights: March 30 - April 2. Am planning to bring two visitors from Europe. It appears that this is a very busy time in town. Would like to know what to expect, specifically will the area be crowded, when do the crowds arrive, hotel availablilty, etc.

I went to San Felipe quite often in the 80's and 90's when I was in college and younger. Have not been since Dec 2007. From what I read, it appears that the tourist demographics have changed significantly.

Am wondering if we adjusted our dates to arrive Thursday, Mar 29 and depart Sunday, April 1, would we avoid the crowds.

sancho - 3-20-2012 at 10:51 AM

Semana Santa, the week before Easter, I frequent
SF, staying town, I aviod that week. The IMPACT days
I believe are Th, Fr, Sat, and Easter Sun., but I would
expect people showing up Th., Mar.30. I expect the in
on town beach campgrounds to full after Thurs., Mar. 30.
Not saying you couldn't sneak in before the crowds,
that would be close call, don't know re: Motel
rooms after Mar. 30

David K - 3-20-2012 at 11:10 AM

I suggest going south of there to avoid the mobs and trash at San Felipe beaches... Safer to camp on the beach than to expect any motel rooms available in Puertecitos, Punta Bufeo, or Gonzaga Bay (Alfonsina's or El Sacrificio).

Bajajorge - 3-20-2012 at 11:41 AM

Samana Santa in San Felipe is a place to avoid. Normal population is some 20,000, Mexicans and gringos. That week the population increases to well over 50,000:wow: plus.
At the end of the week expect northbound crossings back to the USA at 2 plus hour waits, with bumper to bumper traffic on Hwy 5 from San Felipe to Mexicali.:(
Pick another time.:light:

desertcpl - 3-20-2012 at 11:41 AM

dont go

it will be a mess, and if your coming back on a sunday,, your talking about 3 to 4 hr border wait

56MM# - 3-20-2012 at 12:52 PM

It appears that I the weekend of March 31 is the second busiest of the year in San Felipe (or close to it), second only to Easter Weekend. If I had my way, we'd go down to Mulege or BOLA, but time doesn't allow.

I'm trying to provide an "Other Than Tijuana" Mexico experience with some warm temps and a beach to a pair of Europeans. Given their schedule limitations, I'm thinking that:

- Thu and Fri nights (29-30 March) in San Felipe
- Saturday night somewhere in Ensenada or at La Fonda
- Coming home Sunday before the border crush

might be the best alternative. I guess the biggest factor is when the masses descend on San Felipe.

Thoughts?

CortezBlue - 3-20-2012 at 12:59 PM

If you go down, and you are going to camp, then go early on Wed and plan on staying til Monday. I would go to Pete's Camp north of town. Pete's has a shower and bathrooms and a great bar and restaurant. If you go further south you are going to be further away from town, if you want to show your friends San Felipe.

If you want a hotel or rent a casita, U2U me and I may be able to help you out, but you still need to go back on Monday for sure.

sancho - 3-20-2012 at 02:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by 56MM#
experience with some warm temps and a beach to a pair of Europeans. Given their schedule limitations, I'm thinking that:

- Thu and Fri nights (29-30 March) in San Felipe
- Saturday night somewhere in Ensenada or at La Fonda
- Coming home Sunday before the border crush

Thoughts?






You answered your own question re: warm, SF may touch
80+ possibly on Mar. 30- Apr.2, as you know Enseanda would
be approx., 65 depending if something comes down from Alaska, sounds like you want to show your Euro friends
Mex, Europeans seem to accept things more than us
uptight US Gringos, if I were you, I would go, get to SF Thru. afternoon,
if camping in town there are a couple campgrounds
off the beach, or for a room, there are several Motels
off the beach, Mexicans will take EVERY campspot/room
on or near the beach, bear in mind there will be people
just not as many as the 4 days before Easter
That is an AMBITIOUS drive in 4 days

[Edited on 3-21-2012 by sancho]

56MM# - 3-21-2012 at 11:14 AM

I just called the El Cortez in San Felipe to inquire about room availability. Based on past experience, I think this is a pretty good indicator of how busy of a weekend it will be down there.

Was told that there are rooms available up until Wednesday, April 4th, but they are booked from then through Easter Weekend. Additionally, the San Felipe website indicates that Semana Santa kicks off on Monday, April 2nd.

Putting the preceding info together, it appears that things don't get busy in San Felipe until the middle of Semana Santa. This is a huge change from the 1980's, when the week and both weekends were clobbered with Spring Breakers (myself included) from the U.S. I remember every palapa within 20 miles of town being rented out. Some campgrounds even rented unshaded spots on the dirt as demand was so high. The bars on Mar de Cortez had lines to get in the door. We couldn't wait to get down there. Things have really changed.

I suspect the majority of people on this board are Baja loyalists who consider it an article of faith that the real Baja California doesn't start until one reaches El Rosario. I couldn't agree more.

But given the limitations, wanting some sunshine and warmth, and knowing that my guests would appreciate thawing out from the European winter, I'll take a quiet weekend in San Felipe over staying in chilly San Diego. Any opportunity go to Mexico is a blessing and should be taken, even if it's San Felipe.

Thanks for all your comments.

David K - 3-21-2012 at 11:37 AM

Have a great time! For me, the 'real Baja begins anytime you leave the pavement... but I agree, the sight of boojum trees south of El Rosario is a real kick!:bounce::bounce:

Oso - 3-21-2012 at 04:51 PM

I don't go freakin nowhere in Mexico during Semana Santa. But, that's me, I don't like crowds. Most Mexicans, on the other hand, seem to enjoy the company of hundreds of paisanos. Cada cabeza un mundo aparte.

DavidE - 3-21-2012 at 07:53 PM

But then again semana santa is mexico, you cannot get more mexican than that. There are so many places to camp south of san felipe I would pick an area long on rock and short on beach to thwart ATV use. Go completely self contained as to rely on nothing. Beware of driving as fully ten percent of cars and too many big rigs are chofered by the inebriated. Take ear plugs.

MexicoTed - 3-21-2012 at 11:01 PM

Semana Santa is usually Monday through Sunday the week before Easter. This year is April 2nd (Mon) through April 8th (Easter Sunday).

semana santos

captkw - 3-22-2012 at 12:53 PM

HOLA,, nomads and all,,I can tell ya for a fact that that easter week is a ZOO and the hwy claims a lot of lifes during this week and just not the hwy,road but any else you can think of a human could f-up gets done during this mad,mad week and more !! just a saying"batten down the hatches" and be CAREFUL !!! K & T :cool: PS about as holy as swiss cheese LOL:lol: