Tope Nacional
Considered part of Costa Rican folklore this horse parade, or tope, celebrates the Day of the Costa Rican Horse Rider, and takes place in the heart of San José. The event showcases a wide variety of different horse breeds donning their best saddles and is widely regarded as the pinnacle event for those who enjoy equestrian and western style activities.
Carnaval Nacional
“Carnaval Nacional” is an annual street festival with live music, costumes, food, fanfare and much more. Costumes, decorations and a parade are just a portion of this exciting event that takes place in Desamparados, which is in the San José province.
Día Nacional del Boyero
Celebrated on the second Sunday of March in the town of San Antonio de Escazú, Día Nacional del Boyero (Oxcart Driver’s Day) is one of the most colorful celebrations in Costa Rica. The oxcart has been the national symbol of labor in Costa Rica for generations. At the center of the event is a parade of over a hundred beautifully handmade and painted oxcarts followed by a celebration with food, dancing and people in traditional costumes. The festival originated from times when the oxcart was used for transporting coffee from Central Valley to Puntarenas.
Transitarte
The capital of Costa Rica, San José, is the host city of Transitarte, a citywide art festival, which includes live music, a lot of dancing, storytelling, and film screenings. This event is free and open to the public.
Fiestas Tipicas Santa Cruz
This religious celebration honors the Black Christ of Esquipulas, a famous Guatemalan statue. The festival includes folk dancing, marimba music and bullfights.
Tope de Toros
A cultural manifestation in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province, this bull parade, or “tope,” celebrates the importance of the bull throughout the country’s history. The bulls are accompanied by “sabaneros,” Costa Rica’s cowboys wearing their traditional dress, as well as townspeople.
Feria del Gustico Costarricense
This fair is a unique opportunity to sample many products from small producers while enjoying cultural activities. This is an excellent fair for a tourist to attend as there are over 180 companies providing samples of a wide variety of products. Some of the products include coffee, jams, dairy, preserves, gourmet cheeses, gluten-free products, plants, flowers, chocolates, pasta, aloe-flavored drinks, jewelry, clothing and recycled materials.
Juan Santamaria's Day
A national holiday in Costa Rica, Juan Santamaría's Day is held to commemorate the death of the soldier who is officially recognized as the national hero. He is considered so because it is believed that on April 11, 1856 Santamaría single handedly turned back an invasion and in the process lost his life. His action contributed to a Costa Rican victory which would lead to the nation becoming a free and independent country. Juan Santamaría is honored by two statues in Costa Rica: one in Alajuela and the other in front of the Congress in San José. The main international airport in Costa Rica is also named for him.
Army Abolition Day
On December 1, 1948, President José Figueres Ferrer abolished the armed forces following the end of the civil war that brought him to power. A new national holiday, Costa Ricans celebrate the abolition of the army with a ceremony at the National Museum.
GAM Cultural Art City Tour
This cultural gathering offers visitors free evening access to participating cultural venues in downtown San José. Art tours depart from the Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporaneo, Museos del Banco Central, Museo Nacional, Museo del Jade and Museo de Arte Costarricense.
Carnaval de Puntarenas
One of the most popular celebrations in Costa Rica, Carnaval de Puntarenas celebrates the Pearl of the Pacific and draws thousands of spectators. This celebration features parades, a beauty pageant, live music, dancing and traditional street food. This event benefits several local businesses, since most are located along the boulevard called Paseo de los Turistas, which is on the beach and offers popular food and drinks such as Vigorón and the refreshing Churchill, an icy dessert prepared with either condensed milk, powdered milk or, for an extra treat, ice cream.
Feria del Café
Taking place in Frailes, which is located in the Central Valley region, the Feria Del Café (Coffee Fair) is attended by coffee pickers, retailers, tourists and everyone in between. Visitors to the event are entertained with music, dances, a coffee picking competition in which the attendees participate and winners are awarded prizes, the election of the “coffee queen” and religious ceremonies. Throughout the event coffee growers roast, brew and serve coffee to guests and the association’s judges.