If you’re planning a stay in Costa Rica, we really recommend attending at least one festival or national holiday during your stay.

Taking part in these cultural activities is a great way to get up close and personal with the country’s traditions, and why not exchange ideas with locals who will teach you a lot about their country.

Ready to discover our list of Costa Rican festivals? Let’s get started!

One of Costa Rica’s most important festivals: the National Festivities of Santa Cruz in the Guanacaste region.

The Typical National Festivities of Santa Cruz are among the most important in Costa Rica. Costa Ricans from all over the country come to visit the canton of Santa Cruz at this time of year.

The Santa Cruz festival is over 200 years old.

They start on January 14 and end on the 18th.

They are dedicated to the Black Christ of Esquipulas, hence the nickname “Black Christ Festivals”.

This festival was established in 1804, when the Black Christ of Esquipulas arrived in Costa Rica from Guatemala. However, the circumstances surrounding his arrival are still subject to various hypotheses.

The Fiestas al Cristo Nero transform Santa Cruz into a place filled with dance, music, color and joy. Numerous cultural activities, traditional food stalls and parades are organized.

To round off the festivities, there’s the Dance of the Promesanos Indians, an indigenous dance found at almost every Costa Rican festival.

Diablito festival in Costa Rica

The Diablito festival or game is one of Costa Rica’s traditional festivals. Through dance, it represents the Spanish conquest of Costa Rica.

This festivity is part of the indigenous culture of the Boruca and Rey Curré peoples. It is celebrated in both communities.

In late December or early January, you can enjoy this festival in Boruca, and in February in Rey Curré.

The name comes from the masks used in the dance, in which the Boruca appear as cabrû (diablitos) and the Spaniards as bulls. The masks illustrate the resistance and struggle of the indigenous people in the face of colonization.

Start the New Year with the Palmares Festival

The Fiestas de Palmares are an excellent opportunity to celebrate the start of the new year in Costa Rica.

These festivities take place over two weeks in January, in the town of Palmares, in the province of Alajuela.

They stand out for their big music concerts, festive atmosphere and cowboy aesthetic. The Fiestas de Palmares are one of the country’s biggest festivals. A must-see event!

In addition to concerts, the festivities include parades, rodeos, fireworks and sports competitions. The beer flows freely, making these festivities a must for beer lovers.

The Fiestas de Palmares are also an opportunity to discover Costa Rican culture, notably through traditional events such as the Tope, a popular equestrian parade, or the Carnival, a colorful and festive parade.

Festivals in Costa Rica: Zapote or San José festivals

The Fiestas de Zapote are also an excellent opportunity to celebrate the New Year in Costa Rica.

These festivities take place during the last week of December and the first week of January, in the Zapote district of San José.

What makes these celebrations unique is the biggest bull rodeo of the year. Thrill-seekers can admire the prowess of local cowboys as they attempt to subdue powerful bulls.

In addition to the rodeo, the Fiestas de Zapote offer a wide range of attractions, including rides, games and religious pilgrimages.

In addition to the attractions, the Fiestas de Zapote offer a remarkable culinary experience. If you’re a meat lover, you’ll find plenty of stands offering grilled meats and local specialties.

The Fiestas de Zapote are a major event in the Costa Rican calendar, attracting thousands of visitors every year. It’s an excellent opportunity to discover Costa Rican culture in all its diversity and conviviality.

Costa Rica Independence Day

September 15 is a very special date in Costa Rica, as it marks the country’s Independence Day. This national celebration dates back to 1821, when Costa Rica freed itself from Spanish colonial rule.

Historical background to this national holiday

The history of Costa Rican independence is closely linked to that of the Capitania General de Guatemala, a colonial region of the Spanish Empire that included the present-day territories of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. After centuries of Spanish domination, the desire for autonomy and freedom grew throughout the region, inspired by independence movements in South and North America.

Declaration of independence

On September 15, 1821, representatives of the Central American provinces met in Guatemala City and signed the Central American Act of Independence, declaring their separation from Spain.

Costa Rica, then a remote province, learned of its independence a few weeks later, due to the limited means of communication at the time.

Festivities on September 14 and 15

During these two days, the country comes alive with parades, school ceremonies, street decorations and the famous Lantern Parade.

On the evening of September 14th, lanterns light up the streets of towns and villages. Every year, local residents parade through the streets with beautifully decorated lanterns.

The torch’s journey is also a milestone in the festivities: the flame has become a national symbol, and every year, starting on September 9, it travels across Guatemala before arriving in Cartago, Costa Rica, on September 14.

Costa Rica festivals: what’s on in Puntarenas?

Carnival in Puntarenas

Carnaval de Puntarenas is a colorful celebration that attracts locals and tourists from all over Costa Rica.

The Puntarenas Carnival traditionally takes place between February and March each year. However, the exact dates can vary from year to year. For example, for the 2023 edition, the carnival was held from May 18 to 20.

During Carnival, the streets of Puntarenas come alive with parades, concerts, dances and concerts, sports competitions, gastronomic fairs and fireworks.

It’s a chance for locals to show off their local pride, and for visitors to discover the town’s lively, friendly atmosphere.

Fiesta de la Virgen del Mar

Another important celebration in Puntarenas is the Fiesta de la Virgen del Mar.

This festival, dedicated to the Virgin of Mount Carmel, the patron saint of sailors, takes place in July, on the weekend closest to July 16.

The festivities include a maritime procession, where boats are decorated and paraded on the ocean, followed by parades, fireworks and religious and cultural events. The Fiesta de la Virgen del Mar is an emblematic celebration that pays tribute to the city’s maritime history and the devotion of its inhabitants.