Costa Rica is still very much a Roman Catholic country where Easter is a time for families to come together and take a break from their hectic lifestyles. While some families choose take the spiritual path and attend mass in one of the many organized events, many more choose to pack their cars up to the nines and head out to some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica’s Pacific coast in hopes of melting all of their stress away. Religion is still very important to locals but there has been a bit of a shift in the past years where families appreciate this time off to spend with their families and venture out to have a fun Costa Rica vacation.
For those that choose to stay in the city during holy week, you’ll find that on holy Thursday and Friday most business are closed including shopping centers, movie theaters, bars and restaurants. Chances are you will be staying in and hopefully you’ll get a hold of some good books and movies. If you’re hoping to accompany your page turning book with a nice glass of wine, you’ll be out of luck because the entire city is dry and there isn’t a drop of alcohol being sold during these two days. If you’ve done your research though, before you arrive you can contact your hotel’s concierge to keep your mini-bar fully stocked.
To get a taste of the religious activities practiced in Costa Rica during Easter time, I recommend finding a local cathedral or church and ask your hotel for scheduled activities. You will find that many of the colorful processions are quite interesting and make for some interesting storytelling and pictures. Don’t worry if you’ve missed one of the many religious processions because there are many scheduled in each and every town. The processions mark the Stations of the Cross and provide viewers with a tame reenactment of the death of Jesus Christ.
Among the most popular beaches during Easter include Jaco, Manuel Antonio and many along the province of Guanacaste. For tourists, it is recommended to avoid the beaches around this time because of the dense crowds. Although, it is very happy time for locals and you’ll find a big party atmosphere if you’re not a big fan of crowds then it is suggested you that you maybe wait this time out in San Jose or find a peaceful resort such as Los Suenos Resort to help you relax in style. If you do decide to stay in town you can experience local foods including fresh seafood, great bakeries as well as the ever popular seasonal miel de chiverre. The Chiverre is a sweet squash which is gutted and cooked in butter and sugar to create a special sweet paste. This paste is then used to make cakes and pastries or can be eaten on its own. It’s Costa Rica’s signature Easter dish so you can expect to see lots of it.
Being in Costa Rica during Easter can be quite hectic but at the same time it’s a great cultural experience. Before you travel, consult with your travel agent or hotel to plan your Costa Rican Easter activities ahead of time. They will be sure to help you make the best of your Costa Rica vacation.








In just a few short months the kids will be out of school for the summer and the whole family will be in need of a getaway. Don’t take another trip to Disney World this year. Try something new instead and plan a
Costa Rica is a perfect destination for a family vacation.