Costa Rica's Summer Season of Festivals 2016 Begins!

[Shannon Farley]

It’s the new year, and that means it’s time for Costa Rica’s summer festival season! Known for their gregarious, fun-loving style, Costa Ricans’ enthusiasm is contagious when the country celebrates its numerous fiestas, festivals and horse parades from January to April. Plan your travel to Costa Rica to experience these fun cultural events with rich local traditions, tasty cuisine and vibrant music. Besides the main festivals, every town and community has its own “turno” (a country fair) to enjoy during the Costa Rican summer months.

 

Costa Rica Festival Schedule 2016

February

Puntarenas Carnival (Feb. 11-13) — In the Pacific port city of Puntarenas: street fair, parades, horse parade, concerts, dancing, food & sporting events.

Liberia Fiestas (Feb. 26 – Mar. 6) – In Liberia, Guanacaste: biggest Guanacaste fiestas, horse parade, bull riding, rodeo, concerts, dancing, food, rides and games, fireworks.

Envision Festival (Feb. 25-28) – In Uvita on the southern Pacific Coast: eco-themed festival of art, spirituality, yoga, music, dance, and sustainability.

Monteverde Music Festival (February-March) – In Monteverde: top Costa Rican musicians and artists perform various concerts from the end of February to the end of March.

March

Oxcart Parade, San Antonio de Escazu (2nd Sunday of March) — In Escazú, San José: traditional parade of beautifully handmade, painted oxcarts with oxen teams and “drivers” in traditional costumes; food and dancing; blessing of the animals.

St. Joseph’s Day (March 19) — St. Joseph is the patron saint of the capital city, San José. Other namesake towns also celebrate with fiestas.

National Orchid Show (Mid-March) – In San José: celebration of the country’s national flower and 1,200 orchid species.

Fruit Festival (Mid-March) – In Orotina, Puntarenas: huge open-air fruit market and festival (on the way to the Pacific Coast from San José).

April

International Arts Festival (First Two Weeks of April) – Top international artists and national performers give performances in San José and other locations throughout the country (concerts, dance, theater).

Juan Santamaría Day (April 11) — Commemorates Costa Rica’s national hero, Juan Santamaría, a drummer boy who died in the battle of Rivas in 1856. It is a national holiday; the majority of activities are held in Alajuela (parade, street fair, concerts).

Where to stay in the coolest travel destination for 2016? In Costa Rica’s sunniest place on an unforgettable Guanacaste beach at Costa Rica beach rentals Villas Estival or Pacifico Condos vacation rentals in Playa del Coco. Contact All Costa Rica Rentals to reserve your Costa Rica vacation rental today.