Holidays |
| Holidays and Festivals in Costa Rica - Activities Calendar |
| Travel Reviews |
| Check out this post to see what to do during each month in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica traditions includes well known for festivals, parades, and parties though out the year.
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| JANUARY |
| Palmares Civic Fiestas - This is festival rich with culture. During the festival you will see a vast amount of folk dances, rides, music, bullfighting, and more. |
| Alajuelita Fiestas - This festival is held honoring the Black Christ of Esquipulas, Alajuelita’s Patron Saint. |
| Santa Cruz Fiestas - A typical festival that consists of dancing, marimbas and bullfighting. |
| FEBRUARY |
| Check out this post to see what is like during February in Costa Rica. |
| San Isidro del General Fiestas – This is the annual agricultural and industrial fair. You can expect to see bullfights and a flower exhibition among other things. |
| Fiesta of the Diablitos – This is the annual reenactment of the fight between Indians and the Spanish. |
| Puntarenas Carnival – A large carnival like festival that draws a crowd from all over the area. |
| MARCH |
| Dia de los Boyeros (Oxcart Driver’s Day) - This a kind of cool sight to see. On this day the farmers parde oxcarts around down to have them and their crops blessed by local priests. |
| National Orchid Show – A small festival that showcases a wide variety of extremely beautiful orchids in COsta Rica. |
| APRIL |
| Holy Week – Being a major Catholic country, you can expect to see lots of festivals and parades all over the country. Is one of the most celebrated holidays in all of Costa Rica. his holiday celebration usually starts the Sunday before Easter Sunday and last the entire week. Much of the country shuts down from Thursday until Monday in honor of Easter. Parades, festivals, celebrations, and other activities are not uncommon to see all over the country. . |
| Juan Santamaría Day - This is a national holiday that celebrates a national hero. Remembers this soldier who gave his life in the battle against U.S. William Walker’s troops in 1856, that tried to conquer the country with his army. |
| MAY |
| Puerto Limon - There is usually a carnival and/or festival of sorts every May. |
| San Isidro Labrador’s Day - A small holiday that honors the patron saint of farming. |
| Corpus Christi Day - A religious holiday that happen on May 29. |
| JUNE |
| Saints Peter and Paul Day - Small religious holiday that falls on June 29. No big festivals, but occasionally there are parades in small towns. |
| JULY |
| Virgin of The Sea - This festival takes place in the fishing town of Puntaranes where the fishing boats honor Puntarenas’ Patron Saint. You will also find parades, dances and fireworks. |
| Guanacaste Day - A typical festival in the Gunacaste area. |
| AUGUST |
| Virgin of Los Angeles - A religious holiday that honors Costa Rica’s Patron Saint, “La Negrita” with nationwide pilgrimage to the Basilica in Cartago. |
| SEPTEMBER |
| Costa Rica’s Independence Day - This celebrated on September 15th. There are a variety of festivals all over the country. Some places have parades filled with children and lanterns. |
| OCTOBER |
| Limon Carnival - This is the biggest festival to hit the Carribean side of Costa Rica all year. |
| Tres Rios Virgen del Pilar’s Day - Another religous holiday the honors the Patron Saint with parades and costumes made entirely of corn husks and byproducts. |
| NOVEMBER |
| All Souls day - On November 2 Costa Rica celebrates its day of the dead. While its not nearly as exciting as in other countries, you may find a random parade here or there. |
| Central Valley Coffee Festival - An all around fun festival with a coffee pick contest, music, food, vendors, and more. |
| DECEMBER |
| ZAPOTE - San Jose Festejos Populares - It is one of the biggest and most popular events. |
| Fiesta de los Negritos - This is a popular event held in the Indian village of Boruca. At it, they perform an ancient Indian ritual that honors the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception. |
| Nicoya Fiesta de la Yeguita - Another typical Costa Rica festival that is complete with bull fights, music, dancing, fireworks, a nd more. |
| Carnival – This is San Joses equivalent of Mardi Gras. A large festival full of music, drinking, food, and events. |
| Navidad en Costa Rica [Villancicos en Marimba Costarricense] |
| A word of caution; Some events and situations can be unsafe for tourists. Use your best judgment, travel in groups, and be smart with your money and valuables. |