Costa Rica Traditions
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Click to enlargeCosta Rica is indeed a colorful country. The multicultural mixture include costums from countries like Spain, Italy, Jamaica, parts of Africa and Asia, all combined with lovely elements from the indigenous heritage of the area. Most of all Costa Rica is a Catholic country, fro this, most of the traditions come from the religion itself and revolve around the other most important thing in Costa Rica: Family. We have created a list of the most important of the Costa Rica traditions and an explanation of each one so you can embrace the Costa Rica culture, costums and celebrations a little bit more. Please take a look and enjoy.
August 2nd, Virgen de los Angeles: This is a wonderful celebration, it honors the patron saint the Virgin of Angels. She appeared to a young girl from Cartago many times as a small stone statue and asked her to build a church in her honor in the spot she kept finding the statue. The people did so and many miracles started to happen. So every year people from the most remote places WALK from their homes all the way to the church to pay respects or make promises in exchange of miracles, no matter how far they live. Easter Week: Called Semana Santa, this is a mixture of church celebrations and family party. The entire week there are special services and activities in the churches starting with the “Domingo de Ramos” where the priest gives every one a blessed palm leave as a token from the day Jesus walked into Jerusalem and people greeted him with palm leaves, ends the following Sunday with the celebration of resuscitation of Jesus 3 days after his was crucified. The first three days of the week usually go very normal but starting Thursday all businesses close, some people choose to stay home and pray but most of the citizens escape to the beach and though it is forbidden to sell alcoholic drinks, people do buy those in advance and party, however people do attend church once the get back home on Sunday. Lighting up the Christmas tree: The most important Christmas tree in Costa Rica is the tree of the Children's National Hospital. It is an indisputable tradition for people to arrive there the first day they light up the tree to accompany the sick children in this event. This gives the children in the hospital hope and makes them happy in spite of their situation.
April 11th and July 25th: These two celebrations revolve around Guanacaste: April 11th is the day Juan Santamaria, our national hero burned the house where Johnny Walker and the filibusters where hiding. They where trying to make the country theirs and rule it under their own ideals. During this fire in the middle of the battle Juan died, so we honor his strength and determination. July 25th is the celebration of the day when the province of Guanacaste joined our country both celebrations involve typical food and dances. Children usually dress up as with out typical costumes and perform.
El Portal y El Rezo: This is a beautiful Christmas tradition, people make a little scene of the moment when baby Jesus was born with figurines and decorations. Most people put it up early in December and keep it there till January, the baby Jesus is not to be place on the scene until Christmas Day at 12:00 am. To remove the Portal, Ticos have to invite their friends and close ones to pray a Rosary followed by Rompope (eggnog) drinking with all kinds of typical snacks and Tamales. Tamales are made by the entire family, usually with Grandma’s recipe.
Among other traditions of the culture we can mention that children usually don’t leave home until they get married. People like to go for day trips to the closest rivers or in a big group to the closest beaches and carry a whole bunch of snacks, including boiled eggs, so this traditional Costa Rica trip goers are called “comehuevos” (egg eaters). The food is also a delicious tradition: Agua Dulce (a sugar cane drink), Chorreadas (some kind or corn made pancakes), picadillos and all the lovely dishes do make Costa Rica a different place to enjoy.
