On September 15, 2025, as Costa Rica commemorated its 204th anniversary of independence, one of the world’s most iconic natural landmarks paid tribute in a spectacular way. Niagara Falls, straddling the border between Canada and the United States, lit up in blue, white, and red — the colors of the Costa Rican flag — as a symbolic gesture of friendship and recognition.
This initiative was organized by the Embassy of Costa Rica in Canada and formed part of the Niagara Falls Illumination Program, which highlights the national days and cultural celebrations of countries around the world. As dusk settled, the falls glowed with Costa Rica’s national colors, the light refracting through the mist and water, creating a powerful visual statement that was visible from both sides of the border.
Niagara Falls is not only a natural wonder attracting millions of visitors annually, but also a space of cultural diplomacy — a canvas upon which international friendship is displayed. For Costa Rica, this gesture represents more than aesthetics. It is a sign of its growing visibility and respect on the global stage.
For Costa Ricans living abroad, particularly in Canada and the United States, the illuminated falls served as a moment of connection — a reminder of home, of shared values, and of a national identity that transcends geography. It reaffirmed Costa Rica’s enduring commitment to democracy, peace, and sustainability — values that resonate far beyond its borders.
This celebration also invites reflection on the power of symbolism in modern diplomacy. Lighting a natural monument in a nation’s colors is not just a tribute — it is a silent message of unity and mutual respect. It reminds us that history is not only remembered through books and ceremonies, but also through acts of visibility that strengthen bonds between peoples.
Costa Rica declared its independence in 1821 as part of the broader emancipation of Central America from Spanish colonial rule. Two centuries later, that declaration continues to find new meanings — not only in civic parades and educational activities, but in global gestures like this one that illuminate the path of shared history.
On its 204th birthday, Costa Rica’s colors danced across the cascading waters of Niagara Falls — a fleeting but unforgettable symbol of a small country with a proud voice on the international stage.
