History & Culture

Costa Rica Holiday Calendar

Costa Rica’s festivals celebrate the country’s Catholic traditions, agricultural way of life and history leading to independence. Below please find a list of festivals, holidays and events that can add a touch of local tradition to your trip.

  • HolidayJanuary 15th, Santa Cruz, Guanacaste: The town of Santa Cruz in the Pacific province of Guanacaste comes alive for a weeklong celebration with folkloric dance, rodeos and festivals with traditional foods, when the city honors its patron saint, Santo Cristo de Esquipulas.
  • February 1-3, Buenos Aires in the Southern Zone: Celebrated since early colonial times, the “Fiesta de los Diablitos” or Dance with the Devils is a three-day event. During these days, the Brunca Indians reenact the conquest in ritualistic battles between a bull, which represents the Spanish, and dozens of little devils, which represent the Brunca tribe. Try indigenous fare, including a fermented corn drink called chicha.
  • March (second Sunday of the month), San Antonio de Escazú, Día del Boyero (Ox-Cart Driver’s Day): Don't miss the colorful parade of oxcarts, competitions and the blessing of the animals and crops by local priests. Bring your camera.
  • March-April: Semana Santa or Easter week. Processions and special masses are held from Thursday to Sunday throughout the country. The small town of San Joaquin de Flores, in Heredia, is known for its colorful processions.
  • April 11th: Anniversary of the Battle of Rivas: Celebrating national hero Juan Santamaria and the Battle of Rivas, the day commemorates the decisive battle in 1856 when Costa Ricans were victorious against American Confederate and mercenary, William Walker, who was attempting to annex Costa Rica and other Central American countries to the Southern Confederacy of States. Alajuela
  • May 15th: San Isidro Labrador Day celebrates the patron saint of farmers in any of the several towns that bear his name. Find parades and fairs with local foods and a ceremonial blessing of farm animals throughout the country.
  • HolidayJuly 25th, Annexation of Guanacaste Province: Rodeos, tico-style bullfights and other western traditions mark the annexation of the Province of Guanacaste from Nicaragua in 1824 in the town of Liberia.
  • August 2nd, Cartago: Celebrates the Virgin of Los Angeles, the patron saint of Costa Rica. Thousands of pilgrims walk to the basilica in the colonial capital city of Cartago to pray to a tiny black statuette of the Virgin Mary, which miraculously appeared to a young girl on the site of the basilica.
  • August, Fiesta of the Virgin of the Sea, celebrated on the Saturday closest to August 16th in Puntarenas. See an ocean procession of decorated fishing boats carrying a statue of La Virgen del Monte Carmelo (the city's patron saint), followed by a special mass. The celebrations include a week of parades, dances, regattas and fireworks. Playas del Coco in Guanacaste, also celebrates the Virgin of the Sea.
  • August 15th: Costa Rican Mother’s Day. Mothers will be spoiled today by their families.
  • September 14th and 15th: Independence Day—Costa Rica gained independence from Spain on the same day as the rest of Central America in 1821. The nationwide celebration starts on the 14th when children carry faroles (small lanterns) through their towns, culminating with the arrival of the freedom Torch in Cartago (delivered from Nicaragua by relay runners) when everyone in the country stops and simultaneously sings the national anthem. The day is followed by parades and street parties.
  • October 12th: Día de las Culturas—Celebrated in Puerto Limon with several days of colorful street parades that draw Costa Rican from throughout the country to this Caribbean port city.
  • December 13th: San Jose’s illuminated parade with marching bands and colorful floats parading through the city center draws onlookers from all over the Central Valley.
  • December 26th: Tope Horse Parade: Local celebrities make an appearance at this horse parade through downtown streets with music and food stands lining the sidewalks.
 
 
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Horizontes is a proud member of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), Costa Rica’s National Tourism Chamber (CANATUR), Costa Rica Tour Operator’s Association (ACOT), Costa Rica’s National Ecotourism Chamber (CANAECO), Adventure Travel Media Source, and FUTUROPA. Horizontes is fully licensed with the Costa Rican Tourist Board (ICT) and has been certified with the highest level of the CST with Five Leaves (Certification for Sustainable Tourism).

 

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