Public Holidays in Costa Rica
Statutory public holidays in Costa Rica, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Costa Rica at a glance
Costa Rica’s public holidays mark Independence Day on 15 September alongside Catholic feast days and the abolition of the army commemoration.
Several dates move with Easter, and Holy Week is one of the longest breaks of the year.
Costa Rica public holidays 2026
Costa Rica has 11 public holidays in 2026 – the statutory days off. The table below lists those public holidays; observances and other non-statutory dates are not part of the total.
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | National |
| Maundy Thursday | Apr 2Thu | National |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| Juan Santamaría Day | Apr 11Sat | National |
| Labour Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Annexation of the Party of Nicoya to Costa Rica | Jul 25Sat | National |
| Feast of Our Lady of the Angels | Aug 2Sun | National |
| Mother's Day | Aug 15Sat | National |
| Independence Day | Sep 15Tue | National |
| Army Abolition Day | Dec 1Tue | National |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25Fri | National |
Showing 11 of 11 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Costa Rica
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Costa Rica.
San Jose
A capital of museums, markets and a theatre district in the central valley.
Liberia
The main city of the northwest, a gateway to the Pacific beaches.
Limon
A port city on the Caribbean with a distinct Afro-Caribbean culture.
Alajuela
A city near the airport, with a cathedral and mango trees.
Quepos
A fishing town beside Manuel Antonio National Park.
Top attractions in Costa Rica
The places that draw most visitors to Costa Rica.
Manuel Antonio National Park
A small park where rainforest meets white beaches and islands.
Arenal Volcano
A near-perfect cone with hot springs and lava trails in the forest.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
A misty montane forest of hanging bridges, orchids and quetzals.
Tortuguero National Park
A canal network of rainforest where turtles nest on the beach.
Corcovado National Park
The wildest rainforest park, holding tapirs and scarlet macaws.
Rincon de la Vieja
An active volcano of fumaroles, mud pots and waterfalls.
Festivals, food and getting around Costa Rica
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 1
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Saint Joseph's Day
Falls on Mar 19
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March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
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Maundy Thursday
Falls on Apr 2
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Good Friday
Falls on Apr 3
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Battle of Rivas
Falls on Apr 11
Food & drink
Getting around
Buses reach most of the country cheaply; a 4×4 helps on the rural roads, and domestic flights save hours.
Travelling around Costa Rica’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Costa Rica tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
Costa Rica's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
Costa Rica public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Costa Rica have?
Costa Rica has 11 public holidays in 2026, counting every date typed National, Substitute or Bank in our calendar. Observances, religious dates and regional holidays are listed separately and left out of the total, because they are not days off across the whole country.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Costa Rica is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Costa Rica's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, Costa Rica typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Costa Rica?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Costa Rica?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Costa Rica
School term dates in Costa Rica
School calendar data last updated 10 Sep 2026. Dates come from education ministries and local education authorities; always re-check with the school before booking travel.