In Costa Rica, family members widely celebrate Christmas. It is a celebration of love, joy, delicious food, and a lot of noise. In touristic places such as Manuel Antonio, it may be a bit crowded and chaotic, so it’s important that you know a bit about spending Christmas in Costa Rica.
Although we do not celebrate Thanksgiving in Costa Rica, we are filled with gratitude for all the growth and happiness of 2024 and eagerly look forward to the new things to come. As the holiday season arrives in gorgeous Costa Rica, all of us at Epic Adventures Costa Rica want to wish our past passengers and friends a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season!
December, thus, Christmas in Costa Rica signals the true beginning of our “summer” or dry season. Though there is no snow, there is plenty of holiday cheer and magic:
Twinkling lights decorate homes and businesses from Manuel Antonio to San José. Colorful lanterns known as faroles guide the way to Christmas Eve masses. The delicious smells of tamales and roasted pork waft through our small beach towns.
Our wildlife friends continue their daily antics, oblivious to the festivities. Just the other morning, our guides spotted a sloth dressed in “holiday garb”—a covering of green algae that made him resemble a little Christmas tree! Pelicans dive for fish, the perfect holiday meal for these hungry birds. Monkeys munch on fruit amidst palm trees strung with lights.
Here, Christmas Day is primarily about family time and relaxation, while Christmas Eve holds deep religious significance. Ticos love to gather with loved ones to feast and exchange small gifts. Children excitedly add one more empty shoe to the lineup in hopes that Santa will fill it with treats overnight!
Many of our cherished holiday traditions incorporate beloved Costa Rican staples. Signature tamales stuffed with chicken or pork are the big guests invited to all festive meals and parties. Given that Costa Rica is a small country, it’s easy for families to gather, making Christmas a very special and intimate holiday.
As the festive season coincides with the peak tourism season, we want to remind our passengers to reserve their tours and activities in advance. The high season is very intense, and there may not be space for everyone. This advice applies not only to Epic Adventures Costa Rica tours but to all tours across the country. So, reserve your tours now to ensure you don’t miss out on any adventures!
Whether you’ve joined us before for the holiday festivities or have an Epic Adventure still on your bucket list, all of us at Epic Adventures Costa Rica wish you joy this Christmas and New Year’s season. We hope 2024 brings you new discoveries, meaningful connections, and grand adventures immersed in the beauty of nature. Our small country brims with magical holiday spirit, legendary pura vida hospitality, and epic wilderness ready to explore.
Feliz Navidad and próspero año nuevo from your friends at Epic Adventures Costa Rica! May the coming year shower you with health, happiness, and the thrill of new adventures.
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