Costa Rica (CR)

Patron saint day of Costa Rica. The annual pilgrimage (romería) to the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles in Cartago draws up to 2 million pilgrims who walk from across the country overnight on August 1–2. A deeply spiritual national event.

Costa Rica uniquely celebrates Mother's Day on August 15 (coinciding with the Catholic Assumption). Restaurants and family venues are fully booked — book weeks in advance. National public holiday.

Celebrates the contributions of Afro-Costa Rican communities, particularly in Limón province. National public holiday. Festival and cultural events in Puerto Limón on August 31 (anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in 1502).

Celebrates independence from Spain in 1821. The evening of September 14 features a nationwide torch relay (Antorcha de la Libertad) carried by students from Guatemala to Costa Rica. September 15 brings school parades (desfiles estudiantiles) in every town — a colourful, community-centred celebration.

Formerly Columbus Day, renamed in 1994 to honour the multicultural heritage of Costa Rica — indigenous, African, European, and Asian. Cultural events celebrate Afro-Caribbean, Bribri, Cabécar, and other communities. National public holiday.

Celebrates the abolition of the Costa Rican army by President José Figueres Ferrer on December 1, 1948. A source of great national pride — Costa Rica is one of the few countries in the world without a standing military. Made a public holiday in 2017.

National public holiday. Family celebrations, tamale-making in the weeks before Christmas. The Festival de la Luz (Festival of Light) parade in San José in December is a major event. Most businesses closed December 25.

While not an official public holiday, most businesses give December 24 as a half or full day off. Government offices close at noon. Banks typically close early. Plan government business before December 22.