| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-01 | New Year's Day | National |
| 2026-04-02 | Maundy Thursday | National |
| 2026-04-03 | Good Friday | National |
| 2026-04-11 | Juan Santamaría Day | National |
| 2026-05-01 | Labour Day | National |
| 2026-07-25 | Annexation of the Party of Nicoya to Costa Rica | National |
| 2026-08-02 | Feast of Our Lady of the Angels | National |
| 2026-08-15 | Mother's Day | National |
| 2026-09-15 | Independence Day | National |
| 2026-12-01 | Army Abolition Day | National |
| 2026-12-25 | Christmas Day | National |
How many public holidays does Costa Rica have in 2026?
Costa Rica has 11 public holidays in 2026: 11 national holidays. The dates run from 1 January 2026 to 25 December 2026, and no public holiday falls in February, March, June, October, November. Observances and regional holidays are listed separately and are not counted.
Wondering how that stacks up globally? See how Costa Rica's public holiday count compares.
Long weekends in Costa Rica 2026
Costa Rica's public holidays create 3 long weekends in 2026 - runs of three or more consecutive days off, each built around a holiday that touches a weekend.
- Thu 2 - Sun 5 April: Maundy Thursday (4-day weekend, Thursday 2 April to Sunday 5 April).
- Fri 1 - Sun 3 May: Labour Day (3-day weekend, Friday 1 May to Sunday 3 May).
- Fri 25 - Sun 27 December: Christmas Day (3-day weekend, Friday 25 December to Sunday 27 December).
Observed and substitute holidays in Costa Rica 2026
A substitute holiday is a day off moved to a nearby working weekday when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. The legal date never changes - only the day most people actually get off.
In 2026 no public holiday in Costa Rica is moved to a nearby weekday, so every holiday in the table above is observed on the date shown.
Regional variations are common; see public holidays across North America for the wider picture.
Public holidays in Costa Rica: is your date a holiday in 2026?
Every date in the table above is a public holiday in Costa Rica in 2026. If the date you are checking appears there, it is a day off; if it does not, it is not a public holiday - however widely it may be marked.
For example, 1 January 2026 is New Year's Day, a public holiday in Costa Rica.
More to explore: browse public holidays by country.
About these holidays in Costa Rica (2026)
Our Costa Rica public holidays guide explains the background of each holiday and how the dates are set.
New Year's Day
New Year's Day falls on 1 January and opens the Gregorian calendar year. Most countries mark it with a public holiday, and celebrations usually begin the night before with countdowns, fireworks and gatherings. The date was fixed in its current position by Julius Caesar's calendar reform, and later preserved by the Gregorian reform of 1582. traditions vary widely, from first-footing in Scotland to writing resolutions for the months ahead.
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter, commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples. It is a public holiday in many countries with Catholic or Orthodox traditions, particularly in Latin America, Europe and parts of Asia and Africa. The name is commonly linked to the ceremonial washing of feet, and to the antiphon mandatum novum, a new commandment. Church services often include the rite of foot washing.
Good Friday
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter and commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. It is a public holiday in most countries with Christian traditions, and businesses, banks and schools often close. Observance is typically solemn, with church services, processions and in some places Passion plays. The date moves each year because Easter is calculated from the first full moon following the March equinox.
Labour Day
Labour Day honours workers and the trade union movement. The spelling varies by country, but the observance is essentially the same as Labor Day. Most nations hold it on 1 May as International Workers' Day, commemorating the Haymarket affair of 1886 and the campaign for an eight hour day. New Zealand and several Australian states observe it in October, and the United States and Canada in September.
Mother's Day
Mother's Day honours mothers and maternal figures. The date varies widely: many countries follow the second Sunday in May, the United Kingdom observes Mothering Sunday in Lent, and several Arab countries mark it on the spring equinox. In some nations, including much of Eastern Europe and parts of Africa, it is an official public holiday. Families typically give flowers, cards and small gifts, and many people visit their mothers.