56MM#
Junior Nomad
Posts: 59
Registered: 2-3-2010
Member Is Offline
|
|
Semana Santa in San Felipe
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
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
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
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2604
Registered: 10-13-2005
Location: Topaz Lake, NV/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
|
|
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 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.
|
|
|
desertcpl
Super Nomad
Posts: 2406
Registered: 10-26-2008
Location: yuma,az
Member Is Offline
|
|
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#
Junior Nomad
Posts: 59
Registered: 2-3-2010
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Super Nomad
Posts: 2213
Registered: 11-14-2006
Location: Fenix/San Phelipe
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
|
|
| 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#
Junior Nomad
Posts: 59
Registered: 2-3-2010
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
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!
|
|
|
Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: on da border
Member Is Offline
Mood: wait and see
|
|
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.
All my childhood I wanted to be older. Now I\'m older and this chitn sucks.
|
|
|
DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
Member Is Offline
Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
|
|
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
Senior Nomad
Posts: 708
Registered: 8-2-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
Semana Santa is usually Monday through Sunday the week before Easter. This year is April 2nd (Mon) through April 8th (Easter Sunday).
|
|
|
captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
|
|
semana santos
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  PS about as holy as swiss cheese LOL
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
