Costa Rica 2026
Essential Holidays & Civic Events Guide
Mandatory Pay
Thursday, Jan 01
New Year’s Day
Most businesses are closed.
Election Day
Sunday, Feb 01
National Elections
Voting for President and Congress.
Tradition
Thursday, Mar 19
St. Joseph’s Day
Patron Saint of San José.
Mandatory Pay
Apr 02 – 03
Easter Holy Week
Maundy Thursday & Good Friday.
Civic Event
Sunday, Apr 05
Runoff Election
Potential 2nd round of voting.
Mandatory Pay
Saturday, Apr 11
Juan Santamaría Day
National Hero’s Day.
Mandatory Pay
Friday, May 01
Labor Day
Long weekend for locals.
Civic Event
Friday, May 08
Presidential Inauguration
Power handover ceremony.
Mandatory Pay
Saturday, Jul 25
Annexation of Nicoya
Celebrating Guanacaste culture.
Tradition
Sunday, Aug 02
Our Lady of the Angels
National Pilgrimage (Romería).
Mandatory Pay
Saturday, Aug 15
Mother’s Day
Highly celebrated family holiday.
Culture
Monday, Aug 31
Afro-Descendant Day
Celebrating Caribbean heritage.
Mandatory Pay
Tuesday, Sep 15
Independence Day
Parades and civic acts nationwide.
Culture
Tuesday, Dec 01
Army Abolition Day
Celebrating peace and democracy.
Mandatory Pay
Friday, Dec 25
Christmas Day
End-of-year long weekend.