Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - In Mexico, the Easter holidays are a combination of Semana Santa (Holy Week, April 1-8, 2012) and Pascua (April 9-14, 2012.) One of the oldest traditions in México, Semana Santa is a religious and cultural event of major importance, with everyone - young and old, rich and poor - actively participating in the celebrations.

But Semana Santa is much more than a religious occasion. Like all holidays in Latin countries, Semana Santa is also a festive occasion, a time of celebration, when people come together to socialize and enjoy themselves.

This two-week period is one of the most widely celebrated holiday in México, and a time of national vacation and "spring break" from schools. Tourism authorities estimate that one out of every five Mexicans - around 20 million people - travel during Holy Week, and Vallarta is one of the most popular destinations for nationals looking for a few days of fun-in-the-sun.

Every year thousands of exuberant Mexicans intent on having a good time flock to Puerto Vallarta and the beaches of Banderas Bay. Area hotels are at peak capacity, streets are overrun with cars and buses, and Playa Los Muertos fills with tents and sleeping bags during the two celebratory weeks of Semana Santa and Semana de Pascua.

This year, Semana Santa officially begins Sunday, April 1 and runs through Easter Sunday on April 8. Unofficially, since this is one of the most popular outdoor activity weekends in the Mexican holiday calendar, the holiday will begin on Friday, March 30.

The following week, called Pascua, is the celebration of the Resurrection. It is also the release from the sacrifices of Lent... which means that Puerto 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.

But if you plan to travel during this time, be sure to make your hotel reservations as far in advance as possible. According to Alejandro Magana Torres of the Puerto Vallarta Hotel and Motel Association, with a little over two weeks to go before the Semana Santa and Pascua holidays begin, hotel occupancy levels have already risen by a significant percentage, and more reservations are coming in daily.