Semana Santa Exodus Begins Tomorrow
The exodus to the beaches and mountains begins tomorrow when some 2 million people are expected to be on the move for the Semana Santa holiday. And the Policía de Tránsito (Traffic Police) will be out in full force all week and use a zero tolerance with respect to drinking and driving.

The Semana Santa holiday begins tomorrow with the closing of the work day and this year continue until Monday April 17, normal work hours resuming the day following. The Semana Santa holiday this year adds one more day as holiday the "Anniversario de la Batalla de Rivas" on April 11 is being moved to MOnday April 17.

Randall Quiros, Ministro de Transportes, says that some 789 Tránsito officials will be working during the 12 days beginning at 8am Saturday, which will patrol the main roads to and from San José to the beaches and mountains and at both border control points, north to Nicaragua and south to Panama.

The Tránsito operation will be around the clock. It will include nine permanent check points at strategic locations that will include a breathalyzer test for those who had a little to much before getting behind the wheel.

Quiros said that in addition to a fine and possible detention, vehicles will be confiscated.

Speeding and dangerous driving will also be under the watchful eyes of the Tránsito officials.

The Consejo de Transporte Público approved an increase in the number of buses the bus companies can operate on their routes during Semana Santa, ensuring good public transportation, a big complaint in the past years. Routes to Liberia, Guanacaste and Peñas Blancas (border with Nicaragua) are expected to get the most traffic.

More buses with more frequency will be the norm this year.

For those who are heading out of San José, expect heavy traffic. Head out with time and don't be in a hurry, the beach or mountain will be waiting for you. Coming back, Sunday 16th and Monday 17th is when the heaviest traffic back to San José is expected, as many will want to wait until the last possible minute before leaving their vacation behind.

Thursday and Friday (13 and 14) are holy days and all bars will be closed beginning midnight on Wednesday and re-open after midnight on Friday. Restaurants cannot serve alcohol and supermarkets will have their liquor section closed off.

A proposal to eliminate the "Ley Seca" for Jueves Santo and Viernes Santo never made it to the legislature, meaning another year of "dry".