April 11: Juan Santamaria Day 4. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Puerto Limón is famous in Costa Rica for its yearly fall festival called carnaval which occurs the week of 12 October, the date Columbus first anchored off Limón's coast in 1502, on his fourth voyage. Costa Rica’s cultural calendar is a hive of activity at any time of year, with the country hosting an array of vibrant festivals and highlights to honor everything: from the humble corn cob to the revered coffee bean and, of course, every saint in the Catholic calendar. The Fiesta Zapote is one of Costa Rica’s most famous fiestas and it runs from Christmas afternoon through to New Year’s Eve. It is dated from September 14 onto the celebration of September 15, which is the day of independence from Spain (September 15, 1821). Nov. 2: All Soul's Day 10. Many neighborhoods put on firework shows you won’t want to miss! La Basilica de Cartago is the center of a peregrination from all parts and regions of Costa Rica, where people come on foot, some from hundreds of kilometers or more. Beginning December 15, carolers and children go house-to-house singing and re-enacting Joseph and Mary’s search for shelter before the Christ child was born. This six-day party is a non-stop celebration filled with dancing, music, Costa Rican bullfights, drinking, traditional food, games, rides, and more. Children even write “Cartas al Nino” or … Holy Week is a Catholic celebration honoring the passing and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Costa Rica’s Christmas celebration begins on Christmas Eve, or “Noche Bueno,” when people visit family and friends for feasts of roast pork, tamales and other traditional dishes. Read our community guidelines. Diksha. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. Many Ticos attend a midnight mass on Christmas Eve called Misa de Gallo or the Mass of the Rooster. The village men dress up as diablitos in colorful hand-carved wooden masks and one person dresses as a bull which represents the Spanish conquistadors while depicting the struggle between the Borucas and the Spanish. There’s always something to do from cowboy parades in Palmares to the carnival rides and bullfighting in Zapote. Here is our month by month guide to top holiday celebrations, festivals, and cultural events you won’t want to miss during your Costa Rica vacation. Festivals and Events . Fiesta Patronal de Santo Cristo This is a religious fiesta held in mid January in Santa Cruz, Costa Rica. Colorful religious processions take place in towns and cities throughout Costa Rica. Festivals all over the country in honor of San Isidro, the patron saint of the peasant, blessings of animals and harvest, as well as parades and markets. 10 Costa Rica Must-Do Bucket List Experiences, Visit Palo Verde National Park for Birding & Wetlands, Costa Rica Coffee: Why It’s Best & Where to Buy It. Think the Carnival of Brazil minus a few thousand people with the unique laid-back vibe of the Costa Rican Caribbean. All types and sorts of special masses and religious processions are held. These are traditions that are recognized, taught, and practiced from birth until death. Typical Costa Rican foods are normally sol… Holidays and Celebrations in Costa Rica worksheet . Dec. 25: Christmas Day Costa Rica is no stranger to parties! From January 1st until December 31st there is a holiday for almost every week of the year. Be sure to plan early for peak travel seasons, especially over Christmas! Started in 2011. The pandemic leaves 146,421 accumulated cases, 608 hospitalizations (225... News. Education and healthcare for all are fully supported. The priorities of the country are evident in its progressive social and environmental policies. July 25. The biggest celebrations - bullfighting, parades and plenty of drinking - are centered in Liberia, Guanacaste's capital city, though you'll find celebrations throughout the county. Though you shouldn’t expect the kind of colour and verve that you’ll find in fiestas in Mexico or Guatemala, Costa Rica has its fair share of lively holidays and festivals, or feriados, when all banks, post offices, museums and government offices close. The famous, hand-painted oxcarts from Sarchi are also celebrated for their significance in Costa Rican agricultural history. August 2 (Virgin of Los Angeles's Day) This is a national holiday celebrating the patron saint of Costa Rica. Please if you need any more information let us know many great TA members even living here in Costa Rica and ready to help you with great first hand advice. Held in the San Jose suburb of Zapote, Las Fiestas de Zapote is a carnival held before the New Year complete with rides, bullfights, and snack stands. The most remarkable holidays in Costa Rica are Mother´s Day, Christmas, Independence Day, New Year´s Eve, and Nicoya´s Annexation Day. In Costa Rica, New Year’s Eve is traditionally a very family-oriented holiday, and families and close friends gather together to celebrate. Celebrations [ edit ] Puerto Limón is famous in Costa Rica for its yearly fall festival called carnaval which occurs the week of 12 October, the date Columbus first anchored off Limón's coast in 1502, on his fourth voyage . Ash Wednesday falls on February 13 in 2013 but the date can vary. Think of it as a Costa Rican Octoberfest. In Costa Rica Mother´s Days is celebrated on August 15 th, this is an interesting fact since in most Latin American countries this celebration is held on May 10 th. Aug. 15: Mother's Day 8. Preview. Religious festivals and masses in every city and village named after Saint Joseph. Ash Wednesday 46 days prior to Easter, this day marks the first day of Lent. Official Costa Rica holidays are listed by month: January. Let’s Compare. Bullfights, rodeos, horseback riding parades, folk dancing, and concerts are all on the agenda. It is a walk that begins before August 2, from any point of the country towards the Basilica of the Angels, a Catholic church located in Carthage center. The main religious events here revolve around three things: Easter Week (Semana Santa,) Christmas Week, and August 2. Christmas in Costa Rica commences with Festival de la Luz held the second week of December when the capital city of San Jose is transformed into a garland of lights. A night of festivities marks the close of the weeks of work. Costa Rica’s Festivals and Highlights in November November 10, 2015 Costa Rica’s cultural calendar is a hive of activity at any time of year, with the country hosting an array of vibrant festivals and highlights to honor everything: from the humble corn cob to the revered coffee bean and, of course, every saint in the Catholic calendar. Celebrated as the day Costa Rica secured its autonomy from Spain in 1821, Independence Day is celebrated with marching band parades of children playing their instruments to the tune of the Costa Rican national anthem. A beautiful procession of white floats with glistening lights parades through the streets of San Jose, including the Paseo Colon and Avenida Segunda. The horse parade celebrates the National Day of the Horseman in Costa Rica and the ‘tope’ takes place across the whole country during each city’s civic celebrations held in honor of a town’s patron saint. Costa Rica Traditions: Christmas In Costa Rica, school is … The Costa Rica festival is full of cowboy splendor, including bullfights, cattle … 01 of 07 New Year's Day 7 Off The Beaten Path Destinations in Costa Rica, Costa Rica Solo Travel Destinations & Ideas, 8 Best Costa Rica Honeymoon Resorts & Hotels. Celebrations. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 2964 posts Diksha. December is always a vibrant time in Costa Rica – a celebration of the holiday season, lights, fiestas, family gatherings and Christmas traditions in Costa Rica, however Costa Rica’s Christmas celebration begins long before December. Many people head to the coast to bring in the New Year on the beach, and most hotels host New Year’s Eve events and activities. Costa Rica's main traditions and customs The romería . 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