“I’m dreaming of a White Christmas. Just like the ones I used to know.” ~Bing Crosby, White Christmas.
Bing Crosby must not have been in Costa Rica for Christmas, because the only white he’d have seen is the white sand beaches. In Costa Rica during Christmas, you will see green forests, orange, red, purple, and golden sunsets, and the bluest waters.
Besides the weather and the colors, there is so much happening during the end-of-year celebrations in Costa Rica. If you’re considering spending this Christmas in Costa Rica, after reading this post, you’ll be convinced.
When Does Costa Rica Celebrate Christmas?
For 2026, Christmas Eve, December 24th, falls on a Thursday, making Christmas Day, December 25th, a Friday. Costa Ricans have a strong Catholic culture, (almost 50% of the country identifies as Roman Catholic with another 21% as Protestant), so they celebrate Christmas Day. But this is not the only day that will be celebrated in Costa Rica.
Christmas Eve, called La Noche Buena in Costa Rica, tends to be the most important time spent with family. Many Costa Ricans attend Mass on La Noche Buena, and while Christmas Day is often spent on the beach with a barbecue and a speaker, Christmas Eve is traditionally spent at home with family.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are essential times to spend with family in Costa Rica. Some traditions that families will partake in are midnight Mass, putting up their Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, and children receiving their presents from Jesus, not Santa Claus.
How Does Costa Rica Celebrate Christmas?
Costa Rica has many different Christmas celebrations and customs, and the holiday is a very big deal in this largely Catholic country. While it does depend on where you are in Costa Rica, you will see the Ticos celebrate throughout the month of December.
Photo credit: FestivaldelaLuz.comFestival de la Luz
Every year in San Jose, there is a massive parade celebration called Festival de la Luz. The event is one of, if not the most famous of Costa Rican Christmas celebrations with beautiful costumes, impressive floats, marching bands, live music, and people filling the streets of San Jose. Check out their Instagram page, to see other parades they put on.
La Noche Buena Mass
In a robust Catholic culture, families wear suits, ties, and dresses and head to Mass at their local church on Christmas Eve. After Mass, there is typically an enormous feast, including tamales, pork, rice, and beans, to add to the mix.
El Gran Tope Nacional
On December 26th, also in San José, you will see another parade called El Gran Tope Nacional de Caballos, filled with cowboys and horses showcasing the horses and their costumes. Topes are a huge part of Costa Rican culture, even though more ticos drive cars than horses these days. You can find smaller Topes throughout the country year-round, but the Tope Nacional on December 26th is by far the most impressive.
And on December 27th, the Carnival takes over San José, with bands and dancers from all over the country filling the capital with Latin music and bright colors. These events are all part of the celebrations that run until the end of the year.
Photo Credit: Nacion.comFiestas de Zapote
The district of Zapote is located east of downtown San José. Every year, starting on December 25th and finishing the first weekend of January, they celebrate their town festivals. This family-friendly event features carnival rides, dance tracks, lots of food stands, temporary bars, and the main event, los torros.
Bulls and rodeos are a major part of Costa Rican culture, and the temporary bull rings that go up in almost every town for yearly festivals are one of the main staples of Costa Rican tradition.
What is Christmas like in Costa Rica?
December marks the end of the rainy season for much of the country, leaving behind lush green vegetation and dry, sunny afternoons. The drier weather brings people outside to enjoy the golden sun, the blue skies, and the stunning sunsets that paint the horizon.
The Pacific coast enjoys the start of the dry season just in time for the Christmas festivities, while other parts of the country experience a different climate. In Guanacaste, expect daytime highs in the upper 80s to low 90s, with nighttime lows around the mid-70s.
Along the Atlantic slope, Limón Province begins its rainy season by mid December with hot, humid days and daily rain showers. Temperatures can range from the mid-80s in the day, dropping to the low 70s at night, all with a healthy dose of humidity. Another reason this season can be so full is thanks to the snowbirds who opt out of the colder temperatures in Canada and the northern US states and prefer the balmy Caribbean weather.
The Central Valley, Monteverde, and La Fortuna enjoy the most pleasant weather during December, with day temperatures hovering in the 70s and night temps dropping to the mid-50s! Which is downright cold for most Ticos.
What are Christmas traditions in Costa Rica?
The Christmas season in Costa Rica is all about great food, shared with great company, and great parties. Costa Rican Christmas traditions aren’t so different from the US or Canadian traditions, just with their own twists, born out of their culture, language, and religions.
What do Costa Ricans eat on Christmas?
Tamales are the main dish at every Costa Rican household for Christmas. Making tamales is a labor of love that involves the entire family. They are basically–and simplifying it a lot–corn dough filled with pork and vegetables, wrapped in cured banana leaves and boiled to perfection. Every family has its own unique and secret recipe. Making and eating them at any point during the season, and sharing them with others, is one of the things that makes it feel like Christmas.
For Christmas and New Year’s dinners, most families slow-cook pork, which is then served, sliced on a tortilla. When possible, families or communities get together to buy a whole pig, which is then roasted over the course of days and shared to feed large gatherings.
And to accompany all of these dishes, there is usually Rompope, the Costa Rican take on eggnog, and Costa Rican-style pickled vegetables called Escabeche.
What to Do in Costa Rica for Christmas
Tourists visiting Costa Rica for Christmas will likely enjoy the festivities just like Costa Ricans will.
For visitors, Christmas dinner will probably be at a restaurant or a resort rather than in a family home, but otherwise, the celebrating largely takes place in public spaces: parades through the center of town, people camping out all day and night at the beach, and music in town squares or plazas for everyone to enjoy.
National parks are open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and many people opt to visit one on these days. Just be sure to book tickets in advance, as some parks sell out.
Is Christmas a Good Time to Visit Costa Rica?
Is Christmas a Good Time to Visit Costa Rica?Visiting Costa Rica during Christmas is a unique and unforgettable experience, but it might not be for everyone. The big events and full-force celebration create large crowds as Ticos take to the streets to celebrate the holiday. For people who don’t enjoy large crowds, this can be overwhelming. If you like a big party, then you’ll love these parades and festivals.
Because Christmas and New Year’s fall during the “summer” break for Costa Rican schools, families have lots of time off this time of year, and thanks to a national law requiring all Costa Ricans receive two weeks of paid vacation each year, many Ticos take their vacation during Christmas. Many banks, government offices, and lots of other private businesses close for the holiday as well so that families can be together. Because of this, many Costa Ricans head to the beaches to enjoy their own vacations, adding to the surge in crowds and an increase in prices.
The energy is electric throughout most of the country for Christmas, and it can be a lively and exciting time to experience all of the joy and festivities, but if you’re hoping to get quiet, calm beaches, and empty national parks, you’ll want to visit at another time.
What Does a Christmas Trip Cost… and When to Book
Christmas and New Year’s are hands down the most expensive time to visit Costa Rica, with Semana Santa, Easter Week, being the other highest-priced peak. That’s because it’s not just foreign visitors who are taking the time to celebrate, but the Costa Ricans as well, creating a huge surge in national and international tourism.
Prices for hotels and vacation rentals can be double that of off-season pricing, with the dates from December 24th to January 1st all falling into that peak pricing category.
Hotel & Rental Car Price Increases
If you plan on visiting Costa Rica for Christmas or your travel dates fall into the holiday season, be prepared to pay more for hotels, accommodations, and rental cars. Due to the high demand from national and international tourism, rates can be up to twice as expensive as the low season.
How Far in Advance to Book
Planning is key here, as booking far in advance can help save you money and stress. Sometimes if you book far enough in advance (more than six months prior), you can lock in a lower price point for your accommodation.
Very popular destinations, mainly the beach areas like Tamarindo, Playa del Coco, Puerto Viejo, and Manuel Antonio, often see reservations as far as nine months to a year in advance, especially for high-end rentals and villas.
Car rentals can also be much more expensive this time of year and can book up completely. Be sure to make your arrangements at least six months in advance when possible. Do not wait til the last minute. Three months out, you’ll want to have all of these details sorted.
Which National Parks Require Advance Tickets
If you want to visit a national park on Christmas Day or around that time, it’s best practice to book tickets online well in advance. Many national parks sell out on peak days, as there is a daily limit to the number of visitors allowed in each park per day.
Again, due to the high demand for both national and international tourists, it’s best to get your tickets in advance, online through the official SINCA site.
The most popular parks, like Manuel Antonio, El Tenorio/Rio Celeste, Poas Volcano, and Irazu, are all top spots during this time of year, so the more you plan ahead, the happier you’ll be.
Where to Spend Christmas in Costa Rica
With the school breaks and work schedules in North America, many families, couples, and small groups choose the Christmas holiday as a good time to take a vacation. Also, many Costa Ricans like to spend the week between Christmas and New Year’s away from home, especially at the beach, since most people will have that time off work and schools have been on break since early December.
In the travel market, supply is minimal, and prices are at an absolute premium. In many cases, space at hotels is exceptionally scarce, and hotel prices can be up to two times as expensive as normal season prices for these two weeks. This is normal for this time of year in Costa Rica.
Here are some of our most popular places to visit during the Christmas season in Costa Rica:
This is the most popular time of year in Costa Rica, but it doesn’t mean that your family vacation or group trip can’t be an exclusive and unique travel experience in Costa Rica. The key to the success of your trip at this time of year is flexibility and your willingness to work with a Costa Rica travel specialist.
Best for Culture & Festivals (San José)
To experience the full Costa Rican Christmas festival season, no place comes close to San José and the GAM (Greater Metropolitan Area). With the Festival de Luz (December 12, 2026), El Gran Tope Nacional (December 26, 2026), and the Fiestas de Zapote (December 25, 2026 to January 1, 2027), this region is the place to be for the peak cultural experience.
Best for a Quiet Beach Escape (Nosara, Pacific Coast)
For a quieter Christmas experience in Costa Rica, head to the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, where beaches like Nosara and Samara maintain a more laid-back vibe. Or head further south to Uvita, the Osa Peninsula, and Drake Bay for some relaxation, as these regions see fewer crowds and fewer parties than more popular destinations.
Best for Cooler Weather (Monteverde, Arenal)
For cooler weather, head to Monteverde or La Fortuna and Arenal. These popular regions will still have crowds, but the beauty and magic are worth the visit.
What to Avoid During a Costa Rica Christmas Vacation
Knowing what to expect and having clear expectations will help you enjoy your Costa Rican Christmas. If you know what you like and don’t like, you can plan the perfect trip. To make things go smoothly, here are some things to remember:
Overcrowded Party Beaches
Some of the most popular beaches are absolutely packed this time of year. Think car-to-car parking, speakers on the beach, BBQs grilling, and entire families camped out for the day and night. Ticos love a celebration, and it’s not uncommon to see the party go from sun up to sun up, with babies and grandparents all joining in.
If you don’t love a crowded beach, stay away from Tamarindo, Playa del Coco, Puerto Viejo, and Jaco.
Longer Driving & Immigration Wait Times
Keep in mind that due to the number of Ticos who are also on vacation at this time of year, there are lots more cars on the road, so traffic gets heavy, especially to popular destinations.
Plan on longer drive times to reach your destinations. Download playlists, plan stops along your route, and load up on snacks to make the drive enjoyable.
Your airport experience can also be congested this time of year. Expect long wait times at immigration and customs when getting out of the airport, and be prepared for more crowds when picking up your rental car. Patience and the holiday spirit will help a lot here!
Last-Minute Tours & Activities
It’s best to book your major activities well in advance to ensure you can do the bucket list items you’ve been dreaming of. Working with a reputable vacation planner is key here to book excursions in advance and feel confident that what you’re booking is the best.
Planning Your Costa Rica Christmas Vacation
Look for Costa Rica trips that are exclusive and private to you and your fellow travelers. It is best to talk to an experienced Costa Rica travel planner on the phone so that they can ask meaningful and relevant questions about your desires for your trip. You don’t want someone to just tell you what they think is best before you speak your own thoughts and desires. Great travel planners understand that each traveler has their own travel style and will want to understand your travel wishes before making assumptions about the type of trip to design for your Costa Rica Christmas vacation.
Avoid the cookie-cutter style of vacation and being forced down a path without choices. Lots of travel companies are just trying to sell you a set package, not an experience tailored to what you and your group actually enjoys. In many cases, large travel organizations that offer Costa Rica holiday packages will block a section of rooms and be instructed to sell these rooms to their clients, which is bad practice and how one ends up with a run-of-the-mill trip to Costa Rica. Your trip to Costa Rica needs to be special, especially over Christmas.
For the Christmas season in Costa Rica, look into locations where you won’t be overcome by crowds. Work with a travel planner who will include undiscovered areas before their time, where visitors can see and do similar things that they would do in other, more discovered areas of the country but with fewer crowds.
Explore our favorite spots in our suggested Costa Rica itineraries, and contact us below to help further explore your options to spend Christmas in Costa Rica!
John Rabenau has been working in the eco-tourism & adventure travel industry in Costa Rica since 2002. He has worked in a variety of capacities from Outdoor Educator & Principle Guide to Itinerary Design Manager & Business Owner for numerous organizations. He has grown Costa Rica Escapes into one of the most reputable Costa Rica travel agencies since its creation in 2006, hosting more than 5,000 people with custom vacation itineraries.