It’s one of the most festive times of the year! And if you’re lucky enough to planning to spend New Year’s in Costa Rica – be it this 2024 or next year, as we turn the page on 2025 – then we think you’ll love a look at Costa Rican traditions, Hacienda Pinilla musts, and a few of our most holiday-friendly vacation rentals in Guanacaste.
To start, here are the essential components for celebrating the arrival of 2023, Costa Rican style!
Step 1: Light the BBQ
Nothing embodies Costa Rican New Year’s Eve more than a sizzling barbecue. Whether fueled by traditional coffee wood, charcoal, or any available option, Costa Rican families and friends come together, kindling a flame to cook a variety of grill delights. From sausages and chorizo to chicken, beef, veggies, hotdogs, hamburgers, and corn tortillas, they gather to roast and toast in anticipation of the upcoming year.
And now, you’re invited to do the same! Just be sure to ask us which of our vacation rentals Guanacaste are equipped with grills.
Step 2: Prepare for a Party
Grilled feasts, a cold drink, and revelry are key to Costa Rica New Year’s
In Costa Rica, New Year’s Eve festivities come in two delightful varieties – and both are entirely acceptable and enjoyable. After all, it’s a holiday meant for fun, so choose what suits you best!
Traditionally, families celebrated New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day as a somewhat quiet affair, surrounded by loved ones, accompanied by music, delicious barbecues, and drinks. This intimate gathering still remains a cherished way to welcome the new year.
The second, and increasingly popular option involves throwing a lively party at home. Think of it as an amplified version of the family gathering—bigger, louder, and more festive. Add copious amounts of music, ice-cold beers, and the requisite barbecue (please see above), and you have the perfect recipe for a Costa Rican NYE.
A third option involves attending public New Year’s Eve parties, a trend that has grown significantly, especially in places like Tamarindo. Check for local events to join in the festivities!
Step 3: Catch the Fireworks
Fireworks play a central role in Costa Rica’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, and the locals love it!
Traditionally, families would purchase small, legal, DIY fireworks and light them in their backyards. Today, this tradition persists, with some households putting on impressive shows. If you’re fortunate, you might catch sight of a neighboring display from your own backyard.
For a guaranteed fireworks spectacle, many commercial establishments and public spaces host their own shows. And, as public awareness grows, many businesses are also swapping fireworks for fire-dancing and other wildlife-friendly alternatives.
Note that fireworks and parties are not permitted at many of our Costa Rica luxury vacation villas. That said, near Hacienda Pinilla and Tamarindo, some of the best displays unfold right on the beach. Find a spot before midnight, sink your toes into the sand, and witness fire dancers and fireworks illuminating the night sky—an awe-inspiring sight, especially with the Pacific as a backdrop.
Step 4: Embrace Costa Rican New Year’s Traditions
Latin America boasts numerous New Year’s customs centered around wishes for luck, happiness, finances, and joy in the coming year. Here are a few favorites:
- 12 Grapes: Enjoy 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve to symbolize 12 wishes or 12 months of prosperity for the upcoming year.
- Santa Lucía Flower: Place a Santa Lucía flower, often dried, in your wallet on January 1 to bring financial success throughout the year.
- Coordinate Your Underwear: Follow an old wives’ tale by wearing red for romance, green for financial success, or yellow for overall good luck on NYE.
- Grab Your Suitcase: Ensure new travels in the upcoming year by walking your empty suitcase around the block to guarantee exciting journeys.
Duly prepared, and you’re ready to call out, ¡Feliz año nuevo! Pronounced (more or less) as feh-leez ahn-yo new-ay-voh, it means “Happy New Year!” Remember to include the ñ in año to avoid unintentional humor!
New Traditions: 5 Activities to Ring in the New Year at Hacienda Pinilla
If you’re spending New Year’s at Hacienda Pinilla, then it’s practically required that you celebrate in a uniquely Hacienda Pinilla way. Here’s what that means, in many of our guests’ experiences:
Option #1: Book a Round of Golf
Embark on the new year with a golfing adventure at the Hacienda Pinilla Golf Course, a par-72, 7,200-yard masterpiece meticulously crafted by the acclaimed architect, Mike Young. As a guest at our Costa Rica luxury vacation villas, you’ll have access to this course.
Recognized as one of Costa Rica’s premier golf destinations, Hacienda Pinilla’s oceanfront golf course is a par-72 wonder, reflecting the artistic brilliance and environmental protections. Maintaining its distinction as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, this course not only preserves ecological balance but also seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings—7,200 yards of undulating hills, crashing waves, sun-soaked savannah, and a tropical dry forest.
Option #2: Book a Surf Lesson
Indulge in the thrill of surfing with our recommended lessons, suitable for both beginners and seasoned surfers. Whether you’re standing on a board for the first time or challenging yourself against world-class waves, our expert instructors have you covered.
Tamarindo’s renowned surf breaks, featuring massive barrels and powerful rights, can be intimidating without a solid foundation. That’s where our surf lessons come into play. Opt for private or group sessions, and in just two hours, you could find yourself gracefully riding your first wave or perfecting advanced maneuvers.
For those seeking an added challenge, our all-day surf trips cater to advanced surfers. Explore Playa Avellanas, Witch’s Rock, and Ollie’s Point—legendary surf spots immortalized in the classic film, Endless Summer 2.
Option 3: Beach-Hop the Coast
If your journey to Costa Rica is synonymous with sun, sand, and sea, then Hacienda Pinilla in Guanacaste is the perfect destination for you, where the beaches deliver a spectacular trifecta.
This community boasts miles of unspoiled coastline, hosting three Blue Flag beaches that are perfect for leisurely strolls, invigorating swims, thrilling surfing, and captivating snorkeling.
Here’s the lineup:
- Playa Avellanas: Often hailed as one of Central America’s top ten beaches, Playa Avellanas beckons with its soft sands, crystal-clear waters, and the renowned “little Hawaii,” featuring one of Costa Rica’s most epic surf swells, with waves reaching heights of up to 18 feet!
- Playa Langosta: A marvel of nature, Playa Langosta captivates with its tree-lined shores, rocky formations, and tide pools, forming a rare gem that many consider one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Latin America.
- Playa Mansita: Renowned for its scenic beauty, Playa Mansita is an idyllic retreat, especially during low tide. This is the opportune moment when the beach’s rocky outcroppings reveal not only themselves but also a diverse array of resident sea life, creating a serene environment perfect for relaxation.
Option 4: Visit the Hacienda Pinilla Beach Club
Discover a haven of coastal delights at the Hacienda Pinilla Beach Club, where a comprehensive array of oceanfront activities awaits. Immerse yourself in the ocean-view infinity-edge pool, unwind at the Tiki Bar, or rejuvenate your senses at the fitness center and spa.
Set against a privileged stretch of coastline, Hacienda Pinilla Beach Club is an inviting beachfront pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and an ocean-side restaurant. Indulge in sipping, savoring, and soaking up the mesmerizing views. Afterward, submerge yourself in the refreshing pool or set aside time for relaxation at Hacienda Pinilla’s Wellness Center, offering an extensive menu of massages, wraps, facials, scrubs, mani-pedis, and an array of other pampering treatments.
Where to Stay:
While you’re planning, here are a few vacation rentals in Guanacaste to fuel your dreams and inspire your New Year’s wanderings.
Casa Bonita Beach
6 Beds | 6 Baths | 19 Guests
Located just 600 yards to a secluded beach, which itself is accessible only by Hacienda Pinilla guests, Casa Bonita Beach has the ambiance of an elite beach house, the touch of a modern designer, and the personality of your favorite fun uncle.
For here, surrounded by sleek lines and calming colors, custom details and expansive glass, you’ll also enjoy a shaded outdoor living-dining area, grill, sun terrace, and a spectacular private pool, complete with a waterfall and waterslide. Yes, we said waterslide! Because sometimes, those 5-star touches reside in the you-can-only-find-them-here amenities.
Of course, when you stay at Pinilla, Costa Rica, vacation rentals in Guanacaste include exclusive access to the community’s upscale amenities, including the luxurious Hacienda Pinilla Beach Club (oceanfront infinity pool, international restaurant, fitness center, and more), a championship golf course, tennis courts and horse stables, hiking and biking trails, and more.
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Villa del Bosque
4 Beds | 4 Baths | 12 Guests
Named for the tropical jungle that surrounds, Villa del Bosque, or Forest House, is a beach-inspired, modern home. Its sleek design and contemporary style both complement and accentuate its surrounds: lush gardens, palm-thatched outdoor living, and towering trees.
Villa del Bosque is the kind of home that invites you to take a deep breath and simply enjoy. To slow down and embrace the moment. And to remember why you’re here: for blue skies and fluorescent sunsets, for streaming sunshine and fresh ocean breezes.
Do it while lounging at your private pool, complete with a waterfall feature. Or while preparing a meal on the poolside grill or in the gourmet, chef-ready kitchen. Or as you luxuriate on the sun loungers and find respite in the covered poolside rancho. Because here, at one of the most lovely vacation rentals in Guanacaste, your vacation is whatever you want it to be.
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Casa Savanna
4 Beds | 4 Baths | 13 Guests
Sometimes, a family vacation isn’t about doing everything on the agenda but rather, doing almost nothing at all. In our busy world, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of daily life and packed-to-the-gills schedules, vacation can be a time for escape – for reading books by the poolside and taking time to prepare a meal together, for long conversations and morning coffee on the terrace.
This is Casa Savanna, an elevated vacation home and one of the top vacation rentals in Guanacaste. Because here, within these meticulously designed four walls, this lovely home delivers ample social areas paired with four independent bedroom-bathroom suites: spaces carved out for your time together and your solo time to recharge.
Outdoors, Casa Savanna’s focal point sparkles – literally! Families love the gorgeous private pool, bordered by lounge chairs and bathed in sun. Just adjacent: shaded terraces and an outdoor grill, to whip up a feast as you relax, swim, and spend sun-dappled afternoons ensconced within your own private paradise.
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Looking for More Vacation Rentals in Guanacaste?
Elevate your vacation at one of our select Costa Rica luxury rentals with elite-level service and our 5-star concierge.
When you book with us, 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!