La Voz de la Frontera
April 3, 2015
by Mayte Lopez
With 47% hotel occupancy, but 100% in terms of prior reservations, one of San Felipe’s principle holiday periods begins. Semana Santa attracts thousands of local, national and foreign tourists, who flock to the beach for the purpose of spending a fun day by car, motorcycle and even bicycle.
Since Wednesday night, vacationers began arriving in San Felipe where a wide variety of recreational, sports and entertainment activities are pursued in traditional locations, mainly along the Malecon.
With visible improvement in the town’s infrastructure, merchants, restaurateurs, event promoters, as well as authorities from all three levels of government, endeavored to inform visitors the various opportunities that families could enjoy.
Security Deployed
Tourists can observe along the route into San Felipe a broad surveillance operation that involves elements of all three levels of government, including rescue crews, firefighters, and Red Cross, to name a few.
Francisco Javier Roa, inspector of the Federal Police, said there were over 15 monitoring solutions deployed, keeping an eye on the road and surroundings in order to prevent any mishaps or car accidents.
As of yesterday afternoon, there had been no major incidents, and expectations are for a quiet holiday season.
The operating deputy commander of the Municipal Public Security Directorate, Mauro Martinez Palomo, also said that Mexicali has allocated 216 municipal police, who will assist the 54 officers permanently assigned to the port.
"Surveillance is in the area of the Malecon, tourist camps and where cars tend to ‘race’ during their Exodus from Mexicali to San Felipe. The subject of alcohol was brought up along with the issue of closing the sale of alcoholic beverages as much as possible in San Felipe, and we will support that theme," he said.
Three Hotels with Available Room
Linda Garcia Perez, assistant representative of the Ministry of Tourism (Tourism Ministry) in San Felipe, said that although visitors who have booked hotel rooms were expected to arrive today or tomorrow, there were still spaces available in three hotels as well as some tourist areas.
A public official reported that so far this week there have been no regrettable incidences which could mar the intended purpose of the holiday, which is to provide enjoyable diversions for family members. He attributes this to the prohibition on the Malecon of glass containers containing alcohol..
"There have been no mishaps on the road. We have Mexicali support units that coordinate with the local police force of San Felipe. There are rescue units near The Arches and surveillance is adequate. We invite Mexicali residents to come and enjoy Semana Santa. There are still spaces available for them."
Red Tide Gone
Rubén de la Peña Chavoya, manager of the Committee of Tourism and Conventions in San Felipe said, "We have a positive attitude and always cooperate with various authorities in the three orders of government. To the best of our knowledge, the red tide is an issue that has been kept under control by the Ministry of Health. As proof, since January’s ban implemented on clam consumption, there have been no cases of diseases related to red tide," he said.
Sports on the Beach
In addition to surveillance, the authorities are vigilant in recreational areas, as at the kiosk of the Municipal Institute of Sport and Physical Culture (Imdecuf), installed at the busiest end of the Malecon where they invite people to have fun enjoying their various physical activities.
Santiago Guzmán, Imdecuf promoter, said San Felipe visitors can find information consultants on the beach and invites you to participate in competitions of different sports such as basketball, volleyball, soccer, sprinting, pull rope, among other free activities.
Alcohol
Hector Manuel Avelar Morales, deputy director of Operation and Monitoring Secretariat of the XXI Municipality of Mexicali, which is responsible for the areas of Ambulatory Vendors and sales of Alcohols, during a tour of the boardwalk in San Felipe said that permits for alcoholic beverage sales will operate until 12:00 hours.
He stressed that he was in direct communication with the DSPMs to monitor for people who come daily to the Malecon and drink alcoholic beverages. They are to be removed from said perimeter between 01:00 and 02:00 and will not be allowed glass containers.
"The commercial establishments are obliged to respect that street alcohol sales close at 12:00 pm and there will be no extended hours. In places like bars and cantinas, sales can continue under their present license permission but they are required to remove people who are drinking outdoors. The local police are there to help, when necessary." he said.
Best Infrastructure
Some tourists traveling along the boardwalk yesterday afternoon, when surveyed by LA VOZ DE LA FRONTERA, agreed to return to San Felipe because every time they visit, there is more to do recreationally, and the infrastructure options during Holy Week allows them to spend an unforgettable holiday in the company their loved ones.
Pamela Castillo Jimenez, a resident of the state capital, said that in his first visit to Mexicali’s nearest beach resort, he was favorably impressed with San Felipe and thought it was a comfortable area.
"It's very nice. We arrived Wednesday night and will leave Saturday. In terms of prices, I have come across some cheap and affordable deals. We witnessed a fight between some people, but the Municipal Police acted very quickly.
National Tourism
Jesus Ernesto Marquez Quijada, resident of Hermosillo, Sonora, said it was his second time visiting during the Easter holiday period, accompanied by his family. He said the environment and the people of San Felipe provide a warm and friendly welcome for visitors.
"We were here for Holy Week last year as well. Compared to 2014, this year has been calmer and quieter and that really catches my attention. We arrived Wednesday night and noticed less crowding of people. If all goes well, we will be leaving Sunday. There is enough security and it shows. I would and do return to this port."
Berenice Cristina Cordova Carvajal, a young Mexicali man walking in swimsuit with his partner on the Malecon, said he had an enjoyable experience on every visit to San Felipe. He said one of the advantages of traveling to the port was its proximity to their place of residence.
"We come as a family and have visited San Felipe several times. The port has changed. You can see on the Malecon there are many policemen on the alert, making sure that nothing gets out of control. Personally, I would come back."
Meanwhile, Fernando Mendoza Agustín, a resident of Mexicali accompanied by his family, said that during previous visits he would avoid visiting the waterfront at night, because safety was not guaranteed. But this has changed over time.
"Every year we come, there are improvements and more spaces for pedestrians who want to sightsee. We arrived on Thursday afternoon and depending on everything, we're leaving some time Saturday or Sunday."