The Easter holiday in Costa Rica, known locally as Semana Santa, is also known around the world as Easter Week or Holy Week. Here in Costa Rica, the season is renowned for its sunny days, bustling vibes, and perhaps most importantly, for its customs, steeped in faith and tradition.
Typically falling between mid-March and mid-April, Easter week spans the period from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. In addition to being the height of the dry season, this time of year marks a convergence of traditions, Spring Break vacations, and delightful weather, characterized by warm sunshine, verdant landscapes, and lively beaches.
Whether you’re here because the week coincides with your children’s spring break, have an interest in Costa Rica’s long-held traditions, or are drawn to the holiday’s cultural charms and unforgettable experience, a Costa Rica Easter holiday promises a remarkable vacation filled with cultural immersion, sunny skies, and an abundance of activities.
Please note, though, that Easter week is more than an interesting and sun-filled season: This is an incredibly important religious holiday for many Costa Ricans – did you know that Costa Rica is one of only four countries in the world where Catholicism is the state religion? – and it’s often a somber occasion, commemorating Jesus’s crucifixion.
Easter Traditions in Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, Easter Week heralds a time of profound religious customs and age-old traditions that tourists and visitors are welcomed to the experience.
With a devout faith, Costa Ricans observe this holy period via diverse rituals and religious observance, forming a tapestry of traditions that uniquely intertwine Catholicism with local practices, offering a cultural experience like no other.
Religious Processions
Among the hallmark Costa Rica Easter traditions, solemn processions traverse the nation’s streets. These processions feature statues and icons of religious figures, borne aloft amidst prayers, hymns, and somber ceremonies. Symbolizing the poignant journey of Jesus to his crucifixion and resurrection, these processions captivate the attention of both locals and visitors, drawn to witness the grandeur of the spectacle.
These processions serve as a tangible representation of Jesus’ sacrifice, with participants clad in traditional attire and bearing crosses and religious symbols. Streets come alive with vibrant adornments, enveloping the atmosphere with an aura of reverence and piety. It’s a profound experience, offering spectators a glimpse into the unwavering religious devotion of much of the Costa Rican populace.
Religious Customs
During Easter Week, Costa Ricans actively partake in a variety of religious customs. Many individuals attend church services, join Mass (there’s a Catholic church in every town), and engage in prayer and meditation as part of their spiritual observance. For some, fasting or abstaining from certain activities becomes a means of contemplating Jesus’ sacrifice.
Furthermore, Costa Ricans adorn their homes and communities with observant, often humble displays, employing crosses draped in purple and ornate decorations to signify the gravity of Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday, as well as the jubilation of Easter Sunday. These visual representations serve as poignant reminders of Easter’s religious significance while fostering a sense of communal unity.
Church Services
As mentioned, during Holy Week, Costa Ricans actively engage in church services and prayer.
Numerous churches, both Catholic and protestant (most often, in Costa Rica, evangelical), conduct special ceremonies and masses, providing devotees with opportunities for introspection and reverence. Individuals and families often partake at home in prayer, meditation, and religious rituals throughout this sacred period. These spiritual practices serve to deepen one’s faith and honor the significance of Easter Sunday.
Side note: Costa Rica’s Catholic churches, many first built over 200 years ago, are often spectacularly gorgeous, outfitted with high ceilings, stained glass, religious figures, gilded details, and more.
Festive Celebrations
After the more somber side of religious observances, Easter in Costa Rica becomes a time of jubilant celebrations.
Families and communities unite to relish in traditional foods, lively music, and spirited festivities. The air is filled with joy as the observant (and the culture spectators) participate in concerts, parades, and various cultural events. This communal spirit of faith and festivity enhances the essence of the Easter holiday in Costa Rica.
Whether experiencing the solemn grandeur of religious processions, engaging in church services, or reveling in joyous celebrations, Easter in Costa Rica offers a poignant and enriching experience for all. It is a time for reflection, bonding with loved ones, and embracing the vibrant traditions of this dynamic country.
Traditional Costa Rica Easter Foods
Integral to Easter traditions is the culinary aspect. Throughout the Easter holiday in Costa Rica, Costa Ricans meticulously prepare an array of traditional dishes steeped in religious significance.
Among these delicacies is the revered maíz de la Semana Santa (Holy Week corn), a sweet variety harvested solely during this period, often utilized in crafting a variety of dishes. One of our favorites are rosquillas de máiz, corn-flour rings that are crunchy, salty, and delicious.
Another cherished culinary delight is chiverre, a kind of local spaghetti squash that, after extensive preparations (and we do mean extensive!), is candied into a sweet paste and transformed into empanadas and other sweet treats. Additionally, homemade jams crafted from tapa de dulce (raw refined sugar cane), serve as perfect accompaniments for bread or desserts.
In Costa Rica, Easter Week is undeniably a celebration rooted in religion. Influenced by Catholic customs, this means that seafood dishes take precedence during this holiday, as some Costa Ricans adhere to the Lenten practice of abstaining from meat and instead relish in a variety of delectable dishes to mark Easter. As a result, you’ll encounter plenty of fried fresh fish, often accompanied by rice and beans, as well as arroz con camarones (rice with shrimp), fish or lobster ceviche, savory stews, and other seafood options.
These gastronomic creations serve not only to tantalize the taste buds but also to foster a sense of camaraderie and unity, as families and friends come together to share in the joy of Easter festivities and prepare their favorite seasonal foods together.
Costa Rica’s Easter food traditions reflect the nation’s rich cultural heritage and the significance of Easter Week within the community. These culinary delights offer a delightful journey through local traditions, allowing one to savor the authentic flavors of Costa Rica amidst the festivities.
Where to Stay during Costa Rica Easter Week
It’s incredibly important to bear in mind that Easter Week is one of the busiest times of the year, making it challenging to secure accommodations, even if you begin your search months or even a year in advance!
Our top recommendation: If you’re considering a visit during this bustling season, it’s crucial to start your research well in advance. Once you’ve identified your preferred villa rentals, don’t move quickly. Properties tend to fill up quickly, often booking out up to a year ahead of the subsequent Easter Week.
With this in mind, and while there are many choices available, here are a few outstanding properties that surpass even the most exclusive resorts on Tamarindo Beach in terms of luxury and comfort.
Villa Uana
6 Beds | 6 Baths | 16 Guests
With a nod to minimalist design and a modern aesthetic, Villa Uana is an honest-to-goodness oasis for your family’s Costa Rica wanderings and journey to relaxation. Because here, as much as you want to explore outside, you’ll also want to stay home a bit. Or a lot.
Relax, put your feet up, and enjoy the villa’s walls of glass and double swimming pools – yes, plural. There are two private pools! And thanks to outdoor night lighting, they’re also the perfect spot for dinner and drinks beneath the stars. To outdoor showers (two of them, of course!) and easy access to Hacienda Pinilla’s skatepark and basketball court, among other amenities.
>> Inquire <<
Casa Bonita Beach
6 Beds | 6 Baths | 19 Guests
What do a private waterslide, an expansive outdoor terrace, and epic surfing have in common? They’re all within your reach from Casa Bonita Beach, located just 600 meters/yards to a secluded beach, accessible only by guests in the community.
Welcome to the chance to carve out your own, private surf retreat: a luxury home, ripe with amenities including a private pool and shaded outdoor dining, top-of-the-line everything and superior accessibility. First and foremost, the beach: It’s just a 7-minute walk, so you’ll be free to grab your board and go, whenever the surf itch hits.
Of course, your own private retreat is about more than what you do beyond the front door. Because here, your vacation rental is half the fun! Rent with your family or friend group (reserve some surf lessons for the less advanced among you) and enjoy Villa Olas’s private pool and memory-making waterslide, outdoor kitchen and ample lounging spaces. It’s everything you dream and more than you hoped.
Need Help Planning Your Easter Holiday in Costa Rica?
When you reserve your Hacienda Pinilla vacation home with us, you gain access to our full concierge services.
When you book, we’ll get in touch to help you plan all the details of your stay. Our job is to get to know you, so we can help you plan the trip of your dreams. Whether you just need help arranging transportation or would like a full itinerary – everything from your airport shuttle to a full trip’s worth of activities, private chef services, and golf cart rental – we’re happy to help.
Even better, our concierge services are always free. So, why wait? Get in touch and let’s get started!