Costa Rica is a beautiful country rich in natural resources, magnificent views, and amazing destinations. But what people fail to notice is that in addition to its views, Costa Rica also has a rich cultural heritage and history that you must know about.
Uncountable celebrations and festivities keep going around throughout the year in this country. So, if you are planning to visit Costa Rica, why not go around a time when you can enjoy the richness of their culture as well? Let’s explore the top 5 best festivals in Costa Rica in detail for your next trip.
Best Festivals in Costa Rica
5. Fiestas de Palmares (Two weeks in mid-January)
This is the first festival of the year and the longest one, depicting how Costa Ricans never lose a chance to celebrate. It takes place for almost 14 days in Palmares downtown, where each day is filled with fun activities for everyone to be part of. Live concerts, parades, fireworks, good food, and local beer are the highlights of this celebration.
4. National Boyero Day (Second Sunday of March)
The purpose of this festival is to pay tribute to the hardships of the Costa Rican farmers and coffee pickers. The parade begins from Escazu downtown and proceeds on to the Church of St. Antonio. The prime highlight of this parade is the numerous colorful, hand-painted ox carts, that are also the national symbol of Costa Rica.
3. Independence Day (September 15th)
Being a country that celebrates festivals all around the year, Costa Rica obviously goes over the top with its Independence Day celebrations. However, what is most interesting here is that people get on the streets with lantern parades, folk music, and national anthem recitations a day before the actual Independence Day, that is, on September 14th itself!
2. Festival de la Luz (Second Saturday in December)
Festival de la Luz, or the Lights Festival, is one of the most awaited celebrations of the year in Costa Rica, which highlights that the holiday season is finally around the corner. A dazzling parade lit with lights, colorful floats, and music begins from San Jose’s Paseo Colon at sharp 6 pm in the evening and covers a distance of almost 5 kilometers.
1. Fiestas de Los Diablitos (December 30th to January 2nd)
This festival is celebrated in honor of the indigenous communities of Boruca and Rey Curre in Puntarenas. Representing the conflict between the indigenous Costa Rican people and the Spanish conquistadors, the participants wear masks representing themselves as little devils while another person dons a bull costume to represent the Spanish. The 3-day-long festival is filled with community folk tales, musical celebrations, and traditional games.
These festivals give the tourists a chance to see the Costa Rican culture in depth and celebrate its long history with the locals. As celebrations take place every month, planning a trip to Costa Rica any time in the whole year is truly a feast for the eyes.
