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OPENING HOURS, FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAY |
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Though you shouldn't expect the kind of colour and verve that you'll
find at fiestas in Guatemala, Costa Rica has its fair share of holidays
and festivals, or feriados , when all banks, post offices, museums and
government offices close. In particular, don't try to travel anywhere
during Semana Santa , Holy (Easter) Week: the whole country shuts down
from Holy Thursday until after Easter Monday, and buses don't run.
Likewise, the week from Christmas to New Year invariably causes traffic
nightmares, overcrowded beaches and a suspension of services.
Provincial holidays , like Independence Day in Guanacaste (July 25) and
the Limón Carnaval (the week preceding October 12), affect local
services only, but nonetheless the shutdown is drastic: don't bet on
cashing travellers' cheques or mailing letters if you're in these areas
at party time.
Public holidays
Jan 1 New Year's Day. Celebrated with a big dance in San José's Parque
Central. Feb-March (date varies) Ash Wednesday. Countrywide processions;
in Guanacaste horse, cow and bull parades, with bullfights (in which the
bull is not...
Jan 1 New Year's Day. Celebrated with a big dance in San José's Parque
Central.
Feb-March (date varies) Ash Wednesday. Countrywide processions; in
Guanacaste horse, cow and bull parades, with bullfights (in which the
bull is not harmed) in Liberia.
March-April (date varies) Semana Santa (Holy Week)
March 19 El dia de San José (St Joseph's Day). Patron saint of San José
and San José province.
April 11 Juan Santamaría Day. Commemorating the national hero who fought
at the Battle of Rivas against the American adventurer William Walker in
1856.
May 1 Labour Day.
June 20 St Peter's and St Paul's Day.
July 25 Independence of Guanacaste Day (Guanacaste province only).
Marking the annexation of Guanacaste from Nicaragua in 1824.
Aug 2 Virgin of Los Angeles Day. Patron saint of Costa Rica.
Aug 15 Assumption Day and Mother's Day.
Sept 15 Independence Day. Big patriotic parades celebrating Costa Rica's
independence from Spain in 1821.
Oct 12 El dia de la Raza (Columbus Day). Limón province only, marked by
Carnaval, which takes place in the week prior to October 12.
Nov 2 All Soul's Day.
Dec 25 Christmas Day.
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