Experience the Vibrant Semana Santa Celebrations Across Latin America
Semana Santa (Holy Week), rich in colorful ceremonies and pageantry, is one of the most sacred weeks in the Catholic faith, celebrated widely throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. This week is characterized by lengthy processions and acts of penance, with every country bringing its unique traditions to this festive period.
Make Literal Street Art in Ouro Preto
In Brazil, which is predominantly Roman Catholic, the Semana Santa festivities are a grand event. However, the celebrations in Ouro Preto stand out due to their elaborate nature, where residents turn the cobblestone streets into vibrant canvases.
On the night before Easter Sunday, locals come together to create colorful designs using sawdust and other natural materials, marking the path for the Easter procession. This tradition, stemming from Portugal, showcases temporary tapetes coloridos (colored carpets) that vary in size, color, and design.
- Enjoy the camaraderie as you join in the creation of these art pieces.
- Most work begins after midnight, so a good cup of coffee might be necessary!
Try Chiverre in San José
In San José, Semana Santa is synonymous with enjoying the warm weather and regional delicacies. Visitors to the city during this period shouldn’t miss out on local specialties, particularly chiverre, a unique squash that is a staple during Holy Week.
- Chiverre is used as filling for a variety of treats, including empanadas and sweet tarts.
- Local families gather to prepare these dishes, often enjoying them with a superb cup of Tarrazú or Dota coffee.
Parades play a central role in the celebrations here, with many neighborhoods hosting their own. The most popular procession occurs on Avenida Segunda in downtown San José, typically starting at 3 PM on the Friday of Holy Week.
See a Full-Scale Reenactment in Mexico City
While many residents of Mexico City enjoy beach retreats during Semana Santa, a significant number of devout individuals travel to partake in the city’s most renowned celebration.
Iztapalapa, a lesser-known neighborhood in southeastern Mexico City, hosts one of Mexico’s oldest and largest Semana Santa celebrations. The Passion of Christ reenactment draws performers chosen a year in advance. This year marks the 176th performance, which is even live-streamed on national television, emphasizing its importance and reach.
Roles such as Jesus, Mary, and the Roman Soldiers are prestigious roles pursued with great seriousness, requiring extensive preparation in the months leading up to the event.
On Viernes Santo (Good Friday), thousands line the streets, starting from Parque Cuitláhuac through Iztapalapa and culminating at Parque Nacional Cerro de la Estrella.
Hit the Beach for Easter in Puerto Rico
In Puerto Rico, the entire Holy Week is celebrated with exuberance, beginning with Palm Sunday processions where worshippers parade through city streets holding tree branches. On Good Friday and Easter Sunday, most businesses close, with notable exceptions being the Old San Juan forts, El Yunque Rainforest, and the gorgeous beaches where locals gather for holiday celebrations.
Crowds flock to the beaches early on Friday, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with cookouts, music, and sports that lasts throughout the weekend. Traditional parades depicting the carrying of the cross occur on Viernes Santo (Good Friday) alongside a midnight mass, where worshippers adorn altars with flowers and candles.
Easter Sunday processions attract numerous worshippers, closing the streets of Old San Juan as parades wind their way through the area, stopping at the historic churches and chapels.
