Events (40)
More than two dozen statues of saints from various towns are brought to San Ramón, where they are paraded through the streets. This celebration features live music, a variety of entertainment activities and traditional festival food.
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- Date August 30
- Hour All Day
This is the annual pilgrimage day of the patron virgin of Costa Rica. Nearly a million people gather to walk from San José to the Basílica in Cartago (approximately 15 miles or 24 km).
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- Date August 2
- Hour All Day
Also known as Guanacaste Day, this is a celebration of Guanacaste’s annexation from Nicaragua in 1824. Everyone is invited to enjoy the festivities which include traditional music, typically played by a quartet and xylophone. Many people also wear their traditional costumes and dance to marimba music. Costumed couples perform “Punto…
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- Date July 25
- Hour All Day
Celebrated on the Puntarenas Beach, Fiesta de la Virgen del Mar (Festival of the Virgin of the Sea) is a colorful festival with parades and ornate boats with lights and flags paying homage to the Virgen del Carmen. This celebration always takes place during the day on the weekend closest…
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- Date July 16
- Hour All Day
Advertised as “the biggest cultural, artistic and danceable" event in the history of Costa Rica, Limón Roots magazine hosts festivities around the country. Scheduled events have included jams, an awards ceremony and an African-themed fashion show.
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- Date July - August
- Hour All Day
EXPOTUR brings together more than 300 representatives from the tourism sector. This event, organized by the Costa Rican Association of Tourism Professionals (ACOPROT), highlights a wide variety of tourism products ranging from major attractions to products and services. Additionally, EXPOTUR aims to familiarize the industry with Costa Rica’s tourism offerings…
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- Date May
- Hour All Day
Organized by the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT), the Chamber of Tourism and Commerce of Atenas, CATUCA and the Atenas Cattle Driver Association, this event has been developing over the last eight years. The goal is to bring locals and tourists to Atenas annually to celebrate their reputation for having…
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- Date April
- Hour All Day
A national holiday in Costa Rica, Juan Santamaria's Day is held to commemorate the death of the soldier who is officially recognized as the national hero. He is considered so because it is believed that on April 11, 1856 Santamaria single handedly turned back an invasion and in the process…
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- Date April 11
- Hour All Day
The Offshore World Championship is the globe’s largest and most anticipated international deep sea fishing competition, offering seasoned anglers four action-packed days to win the coveted first place title for the largest number of record-setting game fish caught and released. http://www.offshoreworldchampionship.com/
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- Date April
- Hour All Day
The Festival Internacional de las Artes is a program organized by the Ministry of Culture and Youth (MCJ). The event brings together the best national and international artists providing attendees with the opportunity to enjoy artwork, live theater, music and dance performances. www.festivaldelasartes.go.cr
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- Date July (Usually held every two years, to be held in 2019)
- Hour All Day
Celebrated across Costa Rica, Día de San José is particularly special because Saint Joseph is also the patron saint of San José, the capital city. This is a religious celebration with special masses, displays of beautiful pieces of artwork, parades and food.
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- Date March 19
- Hour All Day
This fair is a unique opportunity to sample many products from small producers while enjoying cultural activities as well. Taking place in the Old Customs Building in San José, this is an excellent fair for a tourist to attend as there are over 180 companies providing samples of a wide…
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- Date March
- Hour All Day
Overlooking Lake Arenal is the renowned Arenal volcano, which provides a scenic view to one of the most significant mountain biking events in Latin America, Vuelta al Lago, which translates to “around the lake.” This two-day event, that continues to attract riders from all over the world, circuits a 158…
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- Date March
- Hour All Day
This annual fruit festival takes place in the town of Orotina, which is known for having a large number of fruit stands at the side of the highway. Tourists and locals can enjoy many activities including live music and a beauty pageant.
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- Date March
- Hour All Day
Held annually in Parrita, Festival Nacional de las Mulas (Mule Festival) began as a way to have fun for a few farmers. Over the years, it has become a tradition for the people in Parrita. La Asociación para el Bienestar Parriteño (ASOBIPA) is the organizer of this event which attracts…
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- Date January - February
- Hour All Day
Taking place in Frailes, which is located in the Central Valley region, the Feria Del Café (Coffee Fair) is attended by coffee pickers, retailers, tourists and everyone in between. Visitors to the event are entertained with music, dances, a coffee picking competition in which the attendees participate and winners are…
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- Date February
- Hour All Day
One of the most popular celebrations in Costa Rica, Carnaval de Puntarenas celebrates the Pearl of the Pacific and draws thousands of spectators. This celebration features parades, a beauty pageant, live music, dancing and traditional street food. This event benefits several local businesses, since most are located along the boulevard…
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- Date February
- Hour All Day
This cultural gathering offers visitors free evening access to participating cultural venues in downtown San José. Art tours depart from the Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporaneo, Museos del Banco Central, Museo Nacional, Museo del Jade and Museo de Arte Costarricense. www.gamcultural.com/
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- Date February – December, Third Wednesday of each month
- Hour 17:00
This religious celebration honors the Black Christ of Esquipulas, a famous Guatemalan statue. The festival includes folk dancing, marimba music and bullfights.
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- Date January 14
- Hour 5:00
Beginning in the second week of January visitors can experience local food and drinks, music, dancing, parades, fireworks, and of course, Costa Rican bullfighting and horse parades. This is one of the largest events in Costa Rica, with a variety of athletic competitions, including mountain biking and soccer, are also…
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- Date January
- Hour All Day
