Puntarenas Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Puntarenas, Costa Rica)

Costa Ricans love a festival and there are a good number of annual events keeping these friendly, bubbly people happy.

Most festivals in Puntarenas are centred on the Catholic religion, with Saint's Day parades, special celebrations and offerings to protect mariners and fishermen. Other seasonal things to do include days of national pride and national holidays (dias feriados), when independence is the focus of the festivities and local shops frequently choose to close. Often events in Costa Rica involve bullfighting, but it is of the 'Toro a la Tica' variety - bullfights without bloodshed.


In the middle of July, Puntarenas plays host to the Festival of the Virgin of the Sea (Fiesta de La Virgen del Mar). During this popular event, all of the fishing boats and yachts are decorated with flags and lights, looking very pretty as they sail around the harbour, while on dry land, you can be sure to find plenty to eat, drink and enjoy.

Puntarenas Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• New Year's Day - a national holiday throughout Costa Rica. The celebrations really kick off on New Year's Eve, particularly at midnight and into the early hours of the morning, just as with everywhere else in the world. Fireworks, street and family parties, lots of noisy music, steel drums, singing and dancing all bring in the New Year

February

• Puntarenas Carnival - kicking off for ten whole days in February, usually around the 10th, bringing thousands of spectators from San Jose, as well as from abroad, for one of the most popular celebrations in Costa Rica. This is a ten-day street party complete with parades, a beauty pageant, live non-stop music, dancing and great street food. Carnival dates in February may vary from year to year

March

• National Oxcart Day - one of the most amusing and amazing festivals of the year. Based on agriculture, its highlight is oxcart races and spectacular parades featuring 500 or more oxcart drivers. The charmingly decorated carts and the general mayhem make this a very popular event. National Oxcart Day is held annually at San Antonio de Escazu, near San Jose, on the second Sunday every March

April

• Battle of Rivas Day (Dia de Juan Santamaria) - April 11th, remembering a famous battle which happened on this very day in 1856, between the Costa Rican and Nicaraguan forces. This day is often referred to as the Second Battle of Rivas, since the first lesser-known battle actually took place the year before
• Easter Week / Holy Week - varying in date according to the Christian calendar, this is the most important religious festival of the year in this Catholic country. Easter is always a family time, with church-going being a major part of this week. Expect parades of sacred images through the streets, taking place all over the country. Holy Thursday and Good Friday are particularly busy days with lots going on. Holy Week is often also known as 'Semana Santa'

May

• Labour Day - falling on May 1st, the 'Dia de los Trabajadores' is a national holiday, with marches, processions and the 'State of the Nation' address by the country's president. Cricket matches are always popular on this day

June

• Day of St. Peter and St. Paul (Dia de San Pedro y San Pablo) - June 29th in San Jose, honouring the two Christian disciples and Gospel author saints, Peter and Paul
• Monteverde Ecotouristic Fair - held in the region of the cloud forests in mid-June. This celebration focuses on environmental education and local culture, as well as live music and theatrical performances. Dates in June often vary

July

• Festival of the Virgin of the Sea - known locally as the 'Fiesta de La Virgen del Mar' and celebrated on the closest Saturday to July 16th, this is the holy day of the patron saint of the city. Expect a regatta and boat parade with the image of the Virgin, along with lively carnival processions through the main streets, concerts, traditional events, dance and music on the city's very special day
• Guanacaste Day - July 25th, a national holiday to remember this day in 1824, when the Nicaraguan province of Guanacaste joined Costa Rica

August

• Virgen de los Angeles Day - August 2nd, another Costa Rican holiday to honour the Virgen de los Angeles, the country's historic patron saint
• Black Culture Festival - held in the Caribbean coastal town of Puerto Limon on August 26th, ending on the 31st. The aim of Black Culture is to keep black cultural traditions alive and the week of partying includes cultural performances, parades, concerts of black music, steel bands, authentic Caribbean cuisine and a great deal more
• Mother's Day - August 15th, a public holiday (the Dia de la Madre) held throughout Costa Rica, when children give their mothers gifts, often taking them to local restaurants for a meal. Mother's Day coincides with the Feast of the Assumption, a major religious Catholic event

September

• Independence Day - September 15th, a national holiday celebrating the country's independence from Spanish colonialist rule in the late 19th century

October

• Columbus Day - staged in many places around the country on October 12th, but especially on the Caribbean coast, the site of the explorer's first landing. As its name suggests, this is the day on which Christopher Columbus initially set foot in the country. This holiday also goes by the name of the Meeting of Cultures Day, or the 'Dia de la Raza'
• Limon Carnival - this totally Caribbean street party is based around October 12th (Columbus Day) and is one of the most famous Costa Rica festivals, attracting visitors from all over the country. However, do bear in mind that Puerto Limon is hardly next door, being on the easterly coast and around 240 km / 149 miles away, and so if you wish to attend this epic carnival, your journey will need prior planning

November

• Day of the Dead - also known as All Souls Day, happening every year at the beginning of November, normally the 2nd. The Day of the Dead is when families pay homage to their ancestors and their deceased loved ones. Masses are held and families gather

December

• Christmas - begins in early December here, with homes and business premises decorated with Nativity scenes and special Christmas foods being prepared. Carol singers roam the streets and everyone attends midnight mass on December 24th. Hotels and beaches can become busy at this time of the year, with holiday makers looking for that different Yuletide experience