Costa Rica hosts a range of holidays and festivals that show its cultural side. People in our Central American country mark occasions tied to native customs, faith, past events, and group activities. Carnivals bring energy, while pilgrimages focus on reflection, and all give visitors a real sense of the ‘Pura Vida’ way.
Some dates, like those for Easter based on the lunar cycle, apply only to this year, and we list them here to help with plans. These days often mix beliefs, history, and local ties, with public ones leading to shut stores or banks.
January
January in Costa Rica bursts with new beginnings and cultural celebrations, blending national pride, religious devotion, and indigenous traditions. As the year starts, locals embrace fresh starts with family gatherings, while lively festivals showcase rodeos, parades, and pilgrimages that highlight the country’s diverse heritage, from Guanacaste’s regional festivities to ancient Boruca rituals that often extend from the previous month.
| Holiday/Festival | Date | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 | National | People kick off the year with New Year’s Day on January 1. Families meet for meals and look back on the old year while starting fresh. |
| Fiestas de Palmares | Mid-January | Festival | Fiestas de Palmares run mid-month in Palmares. Expect rodeos, concerts, and food stalls—it’s a big draw for locals and visitors. |
| Fiestas de Santa Cruz | Second week | Regional | Fiestas de Santa Cruz happen in the second week, with bullfights, parades, and fireworks in Guanacaste province. |
| Dia de Santo Cristo de Esquipulas | January 15 | Religious | Dia de Santo Cristo de Esquipulas on January 15 brings pilgrimages and processions for the Black Christ statue. |
| Fiesta de los Diablitos | Late Dec-Early Jan | Indigenous | Fiesta de los Diablitos, an indigenous Boruca tradition, often spills from late December into early January. Masks, dances, and mock battles honor native heritage. |
February
February brings a wave of love, culture, and carnival spirit to Costa Rica, emphasizing social bonds and vibrant coastal traditions. From heartfelt celebrations of friendship and romance to energetic parades honoring Afro-Caribbean roots, the month culminates in beachside festivities that echo global Mardi Gras vibes, offering a mix of music, dance, and community joy.
| Holiday/Festival | Date | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valentine’s Day | February 14 | Social | Valentine’s Day, or Dia del Amor y la Amistad on February 14, focuses on love for friends and family too. |
| Fiesta de los Negritos | February 2 | Cultural | Fiesta de los Negritos on February 2 celebrates Afro-Caribbean roots in Puntarenas with music, dance, and costumes. |
| Puntarenas Carnival | Late February | Festival | Puntarenas Carnival in late February features parades, bands, and beach vibes. |
| Mardi Gras in Playa Esterillos | Varies (around Feb 18) | Beach party | Mardi Gras parties hit Playa Esterillos around February 18, with costumes and food like in New Orleans. |
March
March in Costa Rica honors historical and religious roots with a focus on cultural heritage and spiritual reflection, often overlapping with the variable timing of Easter-related events. Parades celebrating traditional farming practices give way to solemn observances and wellness gatherings, creating a month rich in processions, family time, and community introspection.
| Holiday/Festival | Date | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day of the Oxcart Driver | Second Sunday | Cultural | Day of the Oxcart Driver falls on the second Sunday. Parades in San José show off painted oxcarts, a nod to farming history. |
| Saint Joseph’s Day | March 19 | Religious | Saint Joseph’s Day on March 19 means church services and family time. |
| Envision Festival | Early March | Wellness/Music | Envision Festival in early March gathers people for yoga, music, and talks in Uvita or Nosara. |
| Holy Week (Semana Santa) | Varies | Religious | Holy Week, or Semana Santa, varies but often lands here or in April. Processions and reenactments fill streets, and many places shut down. |
April
April spotlights national heroism and potentially extends religious observances from the previous month, making it a time of patriotic remembrance and quiet devotion in Costa Rica. With closures for parades honoring historical figures, the month offers a blend of civic pride and spiritual continuity, ideal for travelers seeking insight into the country’s storied past.
| Holiday/Festival | Date | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juan Santamaría Day | April 11 | National | Juan Santamaría Day on April 11 remembers a hero from 1856 battles. Schools and offices close for parades. |
| Holy Week (Semana Santa) | Varies | Religious | If Holy Week shifts to April, expect the same religious focus. |
May
May in Costa Rica is dedicated to recognizing the backbone of society through labor celebrations, providing a straightforward yet meaningful pause amid the year. Parades in urban centers honor workers’ contributions, fostering a sense of unity and appreciation that resonates across the nation.
| Holiday/Festival | Date | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | May 1 | National | Labor Day on May 1 honors workers with parades in cities like San José. |
June
June emphasizes family and faith in Costa Rica, with social and religious events that bring people together in intimate gatherings. Honoring fathers and saints alike, the month promotes heartfelt connections and small-scale traditions that underscore the importance of personal relationships and spiritual values.
| Holiday/Festival | Date | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Father’s Day | Third Sunday | Social | Father’s Day on the third Sunday brings family outings and gifts. |
| Saint Peter and Saint Paul | June 29 | Religious | Saint Peter and Saint Paul on June 29 includes meals and small gatherings. |
July
July celebrates regional identity and maritime heritage in Costa Rica, highlighting historical milestones and community bonds through lively provincial events. From boat parades honoring seafarers to folkloric dances marking territorial unions, the month vibrates with national pride and local flavor.
| Holiday/Festival | Date | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin of the Sea Day | July 16 | Regional | Virgin of the Sea Day on July 16 sees boat parades in Puntarenas to honor fishermen. |
| Guanacaste Day | July 25 | National | Guanacaste Day on July 25 marks the province joining Costa Rica in 1824. Folk dances and music happen province-wide. |
August
August in Costa Rica weaves together religious pilgrimage, familial gratitude, and cultural diversity, creating a tapestry of devotion and inclusivity. Pilgrims flock to sacred sites while families express thanks, culminating in recognitions that celebrate the nation’s multicultural fabric since recent years.
| Holiday/Festival | Date | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin of Los Angeles Day | August 2 | National/Religious | Virgin of Los Angeles Day on August 2 draws pilgrims to Cartago’s basilica for the patron saint. |
| Mother’s Day | August 15 | Social/National | Mother’s Day on August 15 doubles as Assumption of Mary—families show thanks with meals. |
| Day of the Black Person and Afro-Costa Rican Culture | August 31 | Cultural | Day of the Black Person and Afro-Costa Rican Culture on August 31 highlights diversity since 2021. |
September
September focuses on youth and sovereignty in Costa Rica, blending joyful activities for children with fervent displays of independence. Events across the country foster a sense of national unity and future-oriented optimism through parades and community engagements.
| Holiday/Festival | Date | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day of the Child | September 9 | Social | Day of the Child on September 9 means events for kids across the country. |
| Independence Day | September 15 | National | Independence Day on September 15 celebrates 1821 freedom from Spain with parades and lanterns. |
October
October embraces cultural encounters and festive energy in Costa Rica, marking historical explorations alongside modern revelry on the Caribbean coast. From thoughtful commemorations to vibrant carnivals and growing spooky traditions, the month offers a dynamic mix of reflection and fun.
| Holiday/Festival | Date | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dia de la Raza | October 12 | Cultural | Dia de la Raza on October 12 notes cultural meetings from Columbus’s arrival. |
| Limon Carnival | Around October 12 | Festival | Limon Carnival around October 12 bursts with calypso music, dances, and floats on the Caribbean side. |
| Halloween | October 31 | Social | Halloween on October 31 grows popular with parties and costumes. |
November
November in Costa Rica is a time for quiet remembrance and honoring the departed, providing a somber yet meaningful interlude before the year’s end. Visits to cemeteries and traditional observances allow families to connect with their ancestors in a reflective atmosphere.
| Holiday/Festival | Date | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Souls’ Day | November 2 | Traditional | All Souls’ Day on November 2 has people visiting graves to remember the dead. |
December
December wraps up the year in Costa Rica with a flourish of national milestones, festive lights, and holiday cheer, emphasizing peace, family, and tradition. From parades celebrating historical decisions to religious and social gatherings, the month builds to joyful closures with fireworks and communal spirit.
| Holiday/Festival | Date | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army Abolition Day | December 1 | National | Army Abolition Day on December 1 marks ending the military in 1948—a point of pride. |
| Festival of Lights | Early December | Parade | Festival of Lights in early December lights up San José with floats and bands. |
| Fiesta de la Yeguita | Mid-December | Regional | Fiesta de la Yeguita in mid-December in Nicoya includes dances and a procession. |
| Christmas | December 25 | Religious/National | Christmas on December 25 centers on family, masses, and tamales. |
| Tope Nacional | Late December | Horse parade | Tope Nacional in late December parades horses through San José. |
| New Year’s Eve | December 31 | Social | New Year’s Eve on December 31 wraps up with fireworks and parties. |
Final Thoughts
Costa Rica’s holidays offer a direct way to connect with its people and traditions, no matter the season. Pick a few that match your interests—be it parades, pilgrimages, or parties—and you’ll see the country beyond the beaches and forests. Plan around them to make your trip stand out, and always confirm dates as some change yearly. Safe travels.