Fiesta de la Virgen del Mar
( Saturday closest to July 16th)
The Fiesta of the Virgin of the Sea on the Saturday closest to the 16th of July is marked in Puntarenas by a procession of decorated fishing boats carrying the city's patron Saint, the statue of La Virgen del Monte Carmelo. The secular celebrations include a week of parades, dances, regattas, and fireworks.
Fiesta Palmares
Independence Day
(September 15th)
Costa Rica gained independence from Spain on the same day as the rest of Central America in 1821. The nationwide celebration starts with parades, traditional dancers, and street parties and culminates with the arrival of the Freedom Tourch in Cartago when everyone in the country stops and simultaneously sings the national anthem. Later in the day, children carry small lanterns all through their towns. This is one of Costa Rica's biggest and most celebrated holidays.
Fiesta de los Diablitos
(Second half of February)
The Fiesta de los Diablitos is the celebration of the little devils. This celebration is a re-enactment of a battle between the toro (Spanish troops) and the diablitos (Boruca Indians). The Baruka mask is beautifully hand carved. You will see traditional costumes, great food, and fireworks complete the scene in Rey Curre south of San Isidro. During the festival, the bull and the diablitos dance around a fire, in a ritual known as the Dance of the Diablitos. Women are not permitted to play a role in the dance, but are an integral part of the festival's organizaton.
(2nd week of January throughout the rest of the month)
Every year, the Fiesta Palmares get underway with a wide variety of events and festivities. Some of the major spectacles during this time period include firework displays, concerts, sporting events, Costa Rican bullfighting, and one of the region's traditional horse parades. It generallly begins with the lighting of the fair grounds, a lantern parade and the beginning of the Palamarin Soccer Cup, a minor league tournament.
Semana Santa
(April 13-April 20)
Holy week is one of the biggest observed times in Costa Rica. Holy Thursday and Good Friday prior to Easter Sunday are celebrated with masses and processions. There is NO public transportation on Thursday and Friday and NO alcohol sales Thursday and Friday. This is a very busy and crowded week to come to Costa Rica. It consists of parades, religious processions, and mini-festivals. Most Costa Ricans have at least two days off during this week. Since many religious followers fast during this week, they make wonderful homemade tamales and enjoy more seafood than usual.