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Semana Santa, Costa Rica’s Spring Break

by Matt Lloyd in Costa Rica

Semana Santa is Costa Rica’s most important religious holiday of the year, also known as Holy Week, it is celebrated the week leading up to Easter Sunday.

It is a week-long celebration of traditions where many look forward to family gatherings, vacations at the beach, religious processions, mass, and preparing delicious traditional foods. It is also spring break for Costa Rica whether you choose to spend it in worship or combining it with family-oriented activities. Costa Rican’s are typically given the time off work and school to enjoy this special week and you will find most government offices and banks closed. It is the most loved holiday by Ticos.

Semana Santa is extremely important to Costa Rica as Catholicism is the primary religion in this Latin American country. Catholic churches in many towns will organize well-respected street processions re-enacting Christ’s death and resurrection while onlookers line the streets in respect, prayer, and mourning. These religious parades will vary from small processions to large colorful events with actors playing the religious roles who have declared to be sin-free for the previous year. Events and mass take place on Holy Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday allowing Catholics to honor their beliefs throughout the week.

There are a few superstitions that some Costa Ricans believe during this holy week. One begins on Good Friday, that you will be transformed into a fish if you swim in the ocean. Some also believe that you will drown on Holy Thursday and Good Friday if you swim in the ocean because God will be angry.

Photo by Tico Times

A large part of celebrating Semana Santa is coming together with family and friends and enjoying the traditional cuisine, however, as it is a holy celebration meat is not eaten especially on Good Friday. Many turn to the abundant and delicious seafood the country has to offer and savor ceviche, rice and shrimp, fish soups and, sweets such as coconut caramels and rice pudding.

Ticos will use this family-oriented holiday to venture off to the beach, choosing between the over 300 beaches within this tropical country. Manuel Antonio, Jaco, Santa Teresa, Caribbean coast, or the beaches of Guanacaste tend to be some of the most popular beaches that families will celebrate and relax in.

Photo by 10 Feet Travelling

However, as this is the most popular and celebrated holiday in Costa Rica one typically has to plan far in advance as many hotels and accommodations become much higher in cost and are booked quickly. Availability can become quite difficult and limited even weeks before Semana Santa as many families enjoy celebrating this week with beach excursions.

April is considered high season due to booming tourism in this month along with the dry warm weather and therefore can be one of the most expensive months to travel throughout the country. Prices of accommodations can be at least double their usual rate during this common travel week. Although, beaches will be busy and offices may be closed it can be a wonderful time to experience the culture and witness Costa Rica in its true Pura Vida form, the pure life of the Costa Rican people.

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