In calendar order: Holy Week (the week leading up to and including Easter Sunday), the Annexation of Guanacaste (July 25), Our Lady of Los Angeles Day (August 2), Independence Day (September 15), and Christmas (December 25). 

Costa Rica has several traditional foods, such as gallo pinto, a savory dish of rice and beans served for breakfast. Tamales, small packages of cornmeal and stewed meat, are prepared at Christmastime, while sweet chiverre squash pastries are a staple at Easter. Our advice is to head for a soda – a Costa Rican diner – and try a little bit of everything on the menu. 

Costa Rica is a Catholic country, and its most important holidays revolve around religion. Holy Week, known as Semana Santa, is the week leading up to Easter Sunday – and a very popular travel time. Christmas (December 25) is also important, followed by Costa Rica’s Independence Day, celebrated on September 15.