ByCosta Rica isn’t just known for its lush rainforests, beautiful beaches, and amazing wildlife—it’s also a place that knows how to celebrate! The festivals and events here are full of history, culture, and an undeniable love for life. Whether people are honoring old traditions or just gathering to have fun, Costa Rica celebrations give visitors a great way to see the heart and soul of the country.
From colorful parades and religious festivals to big music-filled gatherings, Costa Rica events offer something special for everyone. Popular festivals like Zapote and Palmares bring out crowds of locals and visitors, all excited to enjoy bullfights, marimba music, and carnival rides. For those interested in history, the Juego de los Diablitos gives a look into Costa Rica’s indigenous roots, while the Envision Festival in Uvita draws people from around the world with its mix of music, art, and laid-back tropical energy.
If you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica, attending one of these celebrations is a great way to dive into the local culture. This guide will walk you through some of the most unique and exciting events in Costa Rica, so you can get the full experience of what this country has to offer!
Top Costa Rica Celebrations
1. Santa Cruz Festivities (Mid-January)
Santa Cruz in Guanacaste celebrates its unique heritage through the Santa Cruz Festivities, honoring El Santo Cristo de Esquipulas, the town’s revered patron. This celebration brings together religious devotion and regional pride, making it a highly significant event for Guanacaste’s people. The festivities kick off with a traditional mass and are followed by lively parades featuring marimba music, folk dancers, and street performers. The streets come alive with locals donning traditional attire, as they honor both their religious beliefs and cultural roots.
One of the festival’s biggest attractions is the Costa Rican-style bullfighting, where local bullfighters engage in an exciting dance with the bull, while spectators cheer them on. There’s also a parade of horsemen, or tope, where skilled riders showcase their talents in a dazzling display of horsemanship. From vibrant fireworks displays to delicious local food stalls, Santa Cruz Festivities offer an authentic glimpse into the lively traditions of Guanacaste.
2. Puntarenas Carnival (Last Week of February)
Puntarenas Carnival, also known as the Carnival of the Queen, transforms the coastal city of Puntarenas into a week-long celebration of music, dance, and vibrant Caribbean culture. Held during the last week of February, this festival draws crowds from all over Costa Rica and beyond, eager to experience its vibrant parades and street festivities. Locals and tourists alike gather to enjoy colorful floats, comparsas (dancing troupes), and men on stilts, making for a unique and immersive cultural experience.
Throughout the week, attendees can also enjoy concerts, fishing competitions, sporting events, and food fairs along the Puntarenas shoreline. The carnival culminates in the coronation of the Carnival Queen, a beloved local tradition. With an atmosphere reminiscent of Brazil’s Carnival, Puntarenas Carnival is a fantastic way to experience Costa Rica’s coastal charm, with its lively blend of Caribbean music, dance, and community spirit.
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3. National Boyero Day (Second Sunday of March)
National Boyero Day celebrates the traditional ox-cart drivers, or boyeros, who played a crucial role in Costa Rica’s agricultural history. Held in Escazú, this festival is a colorful tribute to the heritage of ox-cart driving, with vibrant parades of hand-painted oxcarts and beautifully adorned oxen. The art of decorating oxcarts has been passed down through generations, with each cart showcasing unique designs and bright colors that reflect Costa Rica’s artistic culture.
Aside from the ox-cart parade, visitors can also enjoy traditional dances, live folk music, and food stalls offering Costa Rican delicacies. National Boyero Day is a family-friendly event, where locals and tourists can come together to appreciate the importance of the ox-cart as a symbol of hard work and dedication. It’s a celebration of rural Costa Rican life, offering insight into the country’s agrarian roots and vibrant traditions.
4. Virgin of the Sea Day (July 16th)
Virgin of the Sea Day, celebrated in the coastal city of Puntarenas, is a religious and maritime event held in honor of the Virgin of Mount Carmel. Each year on the Saturday closest to July 16th, local fishermen decorate their boats and join a maritime procession in the Gulf of Nicoya, asking for blessings and a safe year ahead at sea. This stunning display of devotion transforms the harbor into a colorful sea of boats, each adorned with flags, flowers, and vibrant decorations.
After the maritime procession, festivities continue on land with live music, street food, and cultural performances. Locals and visitors gather along the shore to enjoy dancing, fireworks, and traditional Costa Rican cuisine. Virgin of the Sea Day beautifully combines religious devotion with Costa Rica’s strong connection to the sea, making it a memorable event for anyone visiting Puntarenas in July.
5. Annexation of Guanacaste (July 25th)
The Annexation of Guanacaste is a significant holiday that celebrates Guanacaste’s choice to join Costa Rica in 1824. The decision is a source of pride for Costa Ricans, especially those in Guanacaste Province, who mark the day with grand celebrations including parades, bullfights, traditional music, and dance. The day is a reflection of Costa Rica’s peaceful expansion and a reminder of the country’s spirit of unity and cooperation.
In addition to the festivities, cultural events highlight the unique identity and folklore of Guanacaste. The region’s traditional marimba music fills the air as locals perform folk dances and wear traditional attire. Visitors can enjoy delicious Guanacaste-style cuisine and witness the rich cultural heritage of this beautiful province.
6. Feast of La Negrita (August 2nd)
The Feast of La Negrita, or Virgen de Los Angeles Day, is Costa Rica’s largest religious pilgrimage and is dedicated to the patron saint, La Negrita. Thousands of devotees journey to the Basilica in Cartago, a city 22 kilometers east of San José, to pay their respects and seek blessings. This tradition began after a small, dark stone statue of the Virgin Mary, found by a young girl in 1635, was believed to have miraculous powers. Since then, people from all walks of life make the journey, many completing the final leg of the pilgrimage on their knees to show devotion.
The pilgrimage is a deeply spiritual event that brings Costa Ricans together, reflecting their dedication to faith and tradition. Crowds flood the streets, and vendors line the roads leading to the basilica, selling food, water, and religious items to pilgrims. It’s a remarkable display of unity and faith, and the gathering of thousands in Cartago makes it a stunning event, where one can feel the profound sense of community that is central to Costa Rican culture.
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7. Lantern Parade (September 14th)
The Lantern Parade, or Desfile de Faroles, is a cherished tradition that marks the beginning of Costa Rica’s Independence Day celebrations. Taking place on the evening of September 14th, this parade sees children and families walking through town with homemade lanterns, symbolizing the freedom torch carried across Central America during the region’s struggle for independence. Lanterns are crafted in a variety of shapes and colors, often resembling Costa Rican symbols like the national flag or coat of arms.
Accompanied by Costa Rica’s national anthem and patriotic songs, the Lantern Parade is a heartfelt way for Costa Ricans to express their pride and love for their country. The streets are filled with a warm, family-oriented atmosphere, as communities come together to honor the country’s independence in a unique and personal way.
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8. Independence Day (September 15th)
Costa Rica’s Independence Day on September 15th is a national holiday filled with parades, music, and flag-waving celebrations. It commemorates Costa Rica’s peaceful independence from Spain in 1821, along with other Central American nations. The festivities are particularly lively in San José and other large towns, where school bands, folk dancers, and costumed performers parade through the streets.
At the heart of the celebrations is a deep sense of national pride, as families gather to watch the parades and enjoy the traditional sounds of marimba and other Costa Rican instruments. Schools across the country prepare for this day with rehearsals and costume-making, creating a joyful atmosphere of unity and patriotism that resonates with Costa Ricans of all ages.
9. Limon Carnival (Mid-October)
Limon Carnival is a week-long celebration in Puerto Limon on the Caribbean coast, blending Afro-Caribbean culture with Costa Rican traditions. The festival commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus to Costa Rica and is filled with vibrant parades, steel drums, reggae music, and energetic dancing. Locals dress in bright, colorful costumes, and the streets come alive with the sounds of Caribbean music and drumming.
The carnival also features food stalls with Caribbean delicacies, including plantains, rice and beans, and fresh seafood. Limon Carnival is an ideal way to experience Costa Rica’s cultural diversity, with its Caribbean roots on full display in a joyful and inclusive atmosphere.
10. Fiestas de Zapote (December – Early January)
The Fiestas de Zapote are one of the most anticipated events in Costa Rica, especially among locals who gather in San José’s Zapote neighborhood for a lively celebration right after Christmas. The festival is famous for its bullfights or corridas de toros, where brave (and sometimes foolish) spectators are welcome to join the ring with the bulls. Unlike traditional bullfights, Costa Rica’s version is non-lethal and focuses on daring participants dodging bulls, creating a mix of thrill and humor that keeps audiences on edge. This unique twist has made it a must-see for visitors during the holiday season.
Beyond the bullfights, Fiestas de Zapote is filled with carnival rides, food stands selling local treats, and live music performances. Families enjoy the bustling atmosphere, where people of all ages come to enjoy the festivities and celebrate the New Year. Bright lights, colorful stalls, and laughter fill the air, making it a vibrant start to the year. For Costa Ricans, it’s not just a festival; it’s a cherished time to gather, enjoy good food, and revel in the thrill of a tradition passed down through generations.
Conclusion
Costa Rica is a lively and happy country with many celebrations where you can enjoy its music, dancing, and delicious food. Most of its festivals are connected to religious holidays, with church visits, processions, and offerings. These Costa Rica celebrations are not only about religion but also about remembering important events from Costa Rica’s history, like the country’s past colonization, its unity, and battles that helped shape the nation.
Besides religious and historical celebrations, Costa Rica also has festivals to honor its farming and livestock traditions. These are important parts of the country’s way of life. Many festivals also celebrate the culture of Costa Rica’s indigenous people. From colorful parades and folk dances to local markets, each celebration is a great way to learn more about Costa Rica’s rich and diverse culture.
