Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - A time of national vacations and "spring break" from schools, the days leading up to Easter, known as Semana Santa, are some of the most festive and exciting times to be in México.

As one of the oldest traditions in México, Semana Santa is an artistic and cultural event of major importance, with everyone - young and old, children and parents, rich and poor - actively participating in the celebrations.

Semana Santa celebrates the last days of Jesus Christ's life. This year, the week-long celebration gets underway on March 24th with Palm Sunday, with a special mass that includes the blessing of palm fronds, crosses, and other figures that have been fashioned from palms, followed by religious processions and passion plays during the week leading up to Easter.

In many communities, the full Passion Play is enacted from the Last Supper, the Betrayal, the Judgment, to the Procession of the 12 Stations of the Cross, the Crucifixion and, finally, the Resurrection. The enactments are nicely staged, costumed and acted, with participants preparing for their roles for nearly the full year leading up to Semana Santa.

But Semana Santa is much more than a religious occasion. In fact, hundreds of people who come to Puerto Vallarta to celebrate Easter Week are not even Catholic. Like all holidays in Latin countries, Semana Santa is also a festive occasion, a time of celebration that lasts two weeks, when people come together to socialize and enjoy themselves.

Tourism authorities estimate that one out of every five Mexicans - around 20 million people - will travel during Holy Week, and Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular beach destinations for nationals looking for a few days of fun-in-the-sun.

Every year, Semana Santa brings thousands of exuberant Mexicans intent on having a good time to Puerto Vallarta and the beaches of Banderas Bay. The influx of tourists to the beach means that there will be one heck of a party wherever you go, as families camp or spend the entire day frolicking at the beach and enjoying each other’s company.

The week following Easter Sunday (March 31-April 7) is called Pascua, which is the celebration of the Resurrection. Pascua marks the release from the sacrifices of Lent ... and Vallarta goes into full-on party mode! The beaches are bursting, the streets are jammed, and the Malecón is filled with people enjoying food, fireworks, and live entertainment.

While it may sound a bit chaotic, Semana Santa and Pascua are probably some of the most festive and exciting times to visit Puerto Vallarta. If you wish to witness the beauty of traditional Mexican culture - and enjoy the excitement of a two-week-long party in Puerto Vallarta - Semana Santa and Pascua would be well worth experiencing for yourself.