FESTIVALS & WHY CAN'T I GET THROUGH TOWN TODAY?

Make your stay a little more special by joining the local folk in frequent celebrations. At any time you may run into a local Tope (a great excuse to get your finest on and ride your favorite pony around town for the day). Here are some of the many good excuses for a celebration:

January

Alajuelita & Santa Cruz: Fiestas Patronales – 15th January - dancing, marimba, bullfights

San Isidro de El General: Fiestas Civicas – 1st & 2nd February - bullfights, orchid exhibition, agricultural fair
Rey Curre/Talamancas: Fiestas de los Diablos – Indian festival, masked dancing

Escazu: Dia de los Boyeros - March 2nd Sunday -National Oxcart Day
San Jose: Earth Day – 19th February - Indian handicrafts
Heredia/Escazu, San Jose: Semana Santa – end of the month - processions of effigies

National: Juan Santamaria Day - April 11th - marching bands, parades, concerts

Puerto Limon: May Day – 1st of May – cricket matches, dances
Escazu/San Isidro: Dia del Boyero 15th May – oxcart parades

Alajuela: Mango Festival – parades, music (may also be held end of June)
Playa del Coco/Puntarenas: Carnival – Sunday nearest 16th – boat parades, concerts, fireworks
Liberia/Santa Cruz: Guanacaste day – 25th July – folk dancing, marimba, rodeos, bullfights

Cartago: Virgin of Los Angeles – 2nd August – religious procession (crawling Christians)
San Ramon: Dia de San Ramon – 3rd August – religious procession

Nationwide: Independence day – 15th September (night)– lantern parades, marching bands

Puerto Limon: Carnival – 10th to 12th October (night)– floats, dancing
Upala: Fiesta de Maiz – October 12th - corn queen contest, corn festival

Meseta Central: Coffee picking tournament
San Jose: International Theater Festival – November 10th to 15th - plays, street theatre

Boruca: Fiesta de Los Negritos – 8th December – costume dancing
Nationwide: Dia de la Polovra – 8th December (night)– fireworks