New Year:
Traditionally New Year in Costa Rica is celebrated on the first of January. Live Music, Folk Dancing, Carnival with Rides and Games mark the New Year celebrations of Costa Rica. New Year Traditions arise from the old beliefs and customs practiced by the early people. New Year Traditions in Costa Rica are not only interesting but also pour more fun to the New Year celebration.

There is a tradition to take a suitcase and walk around the block with families on the New Year Eve night. This is supposed to bring good luck and happy travels throughout the year. It also provides the neighbors a chance to catch up on gossip. There is also a custom to throw water out the door across the threshold on the New Year's Day morning. The intent is to wash out the bad energy and bad luck from the past year. People of Costa Rica have prosperity grapes and champagne on New Year Eve midnight. Eating 12 grapes at midnight ensure financial stability in each month of the coming year.

Easter Week:
The week before Easter Sunday is a time for vacations throughout the country. Many businesses close the entire week and everybody shuts down on Thursday and Good Friday. Until a few years ago, there was no vehicle traffic of any kind on Thursday and Good Friday. Believers thought that the use of vehicles during this holy time was a sin. On those days people got around on foot or horseback. Now many Costa Ricans take advantage of these days for a mid-summer vacation to the beach or mountains. Regular business activity slows down during the week; Thursday and Good Friday find public services and transportation at a virtual standstill.

Modern times have seen the breaking of old traditions, but many Costa Ricans continue their loyalty. The celebration of Easter is one of great solemnity and faith, whether held in the neighborhood church or on the beach.

Juan Santamaria Day
Costa Rica's national hero is one Juan Santamaria, a barefooted 19-year old soldier who died for his country in 1856, in a battle against William Walker and his army of mercenaries. The day of his death is a national holiday and the days leading up to it are celebrated throughout the land with marching bands, parades, concerts, and dances. The festivities are widespread but take place especially in the city of Alajuela.

Labor Day
Labor day is celebrated with festivals and Costa Ricans usually take advantage of a long weekend and visit the beautiful tourist spots the country has to offer.

Annexation of Guanacaste Day
It marks the annexation of Guanacaste from Nicaragua in 1824. Guanacaste is rich in traditions and numerous cultural events are held in Nicoya throughout the year. Most celebrations have a religious background while others are testimony of national pride and folklore. No matter how solemn the event is, every celebration is a welcome opportunity for a party with native food, drinks and dancing to live music. Marimba is the most popular traditional music, usually played by three or four elderly men on a wooden xylaphone. The folkloric dance of Guanacaste is called Punto Guanacasteco and has become the national dance of Costa Rica.

Mother’s day
Mother's day is a national bank, school and business holiday in Costa Rica. Traditionally, Costa Rican families have lunch together and bring gifts to their mothers. This holiday is very important for Costa Ricans; some consider it to be more important than Christmas.

Independence Day
Costa Rica gained independence from Spain on the same day as the rest of Central America in 1821. The nationwide celebration starts with parades, traditional dances, and street parties and culminates with the arrival of the Freedom Torch in Cartago (delivered from Nicaragua by relay runners) when everyone in the country stops and simultaneously sings the national anthem. Children later enjoy faroles parades where they carry small lanterns through their towns.

Christmas
It is a family oriented celebration as well as mother’s day is. Bright, tropical flowers highlight decorations for Christmas. The manger scene is called a portal and is decorated with these brilliant flowers and colorful fresh fruit. The supper after Midnight Mass will consist of tamales and other local dishes.

It should be understood, there are no classes on these days and missed group classes will not be made up. Private classes will be made up to the extend possible during the same week or the week before or after the week affected by the holiday. We also reserve the right to move our day of closure to another day of the week for the benefit of student 'long weekends'. Please check with us if you need more specific information regarding these days.