BootsnAll Travel Community

I've just realised I'll be starting my RTW trip in Mexico just before Easter next year - has anyone been there at that time of year?
Is it likely to disrupt bus schedules or mean that I need to book accommodation in advance?

Yes. And yes.

Well, actually it depends. The bus schedules may not change, but busses will likely be jam-packed with people, and the highways will be clogged, especially if you're planning on going ANYWHERE near a beach. On either coast. So best to buy bus tickets a few days in advance if that's the case.

Still, a lot depends on what you're planning on doing during Semana Santa. Also, keep in mind that the week after Semana Santa, which is Semana Pasquas, is almost as busy, if not more so.

It really depends where you're starting out and what you hope to do. Still, lots of people travel during those two weeks so it's all doable, you'll just need to be extra flexbile.

Suerte!

I was just there for this past semana santa and I can attest that its doable. I spent one night sleeping on the hostel floor (but for 50 pesos and two meals included, I can't complain). I was traveling in the interior (Copper Canyon and Zacatecas) and the buses were not a problem at all. I stayed at a near empty hostel the whole holiday in Zacatecas (and caught a FREE Bob Dylan concert there to boot!). I missed my return bus out of Zacatecas and had to catch the next one. That one was full but they let me on anyway and then at the next bus stop shuffled me over to a half full first class express bus without charging me extra. Mexicans are often very accommodating, so as NTFT said, as long as you're flexible, I wouldn't be too preoccupied.

The big problems occur with the huge numbers of people leaving the interior cities and heading to the beach. And the traffic (in both directions) along the US/Mexico border. If you stay away from the beaches and the border, it's not such a big deal I don't think.

Travel during Semana Santa can be really tough. I wouldn't count on getting any accommodations near any beach, or any bus tickets for the entire holiday period. This would be a very good time to pick a small interior region to explore.

If you can, avoid tourist destinations, because its hard to get accomodations.

I once got stuck in a town in semana santa, and ended up as the only guest in a hostel, the rest of them being family!!!

It was fun, but not comfortable.

On a positive note, if you're a student bring your ID. Buses are half price throughout the holiday. Some bus companies require you to be a Mexican student, some don't. And if you can situate yourself in Zacatecas for the week, they have an incredible, and mostly free (or nominal)performing arts festival. 300 shows, mas o menos. Way better than a boring beach.

Thanks everyone. Luckily I was planning the first part of my trip to be well away from the beaches anyway, so it sounds like I have chosen relatively wisely.

My rough itinerary for the early part would be:

DF - Queretaro - Guanajuato - Zacatecas - Durango - Hidalgo - Chihuahua - Copper Canyon and then head on to the coast.

How long would be reasonable for that part of my trip?

Are any of those likely to be problematic? (or particularly good for Easter, in case I want to prebook stuff).