Costa Rica overview

Costa Rica has 11 official feriados (holidays) per year, and they are all taken quite seriously. Do not expect to find government offices, banks, professional offices, or many stores open on feriados. Twice during the year, the whole country shuts down completely. These are Semana Santa (the week before Easter) and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Transportation stops totally on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, making Wednesday’s buses very crowded. Good Friday is the most important day of the Holy Week in Costa Rica and is a day of mourning throughout the country.

Easter Week is the time to see picturesque religious processions in the countryside. There are large nonreligious parades in San Jose on Labor Day, Independence Day, and during Christmas Week. The Tico Times will tell you where the most interesting events are. It’s best to avoid visting the beach during Easter Week because it’s often the last holiday young Ticos have before schools starts, and they’re all there with their boomboxes.

• Click here for a list of Costa Rica’s feriados.