Looking for a different way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year? Why not spend it in Costa Rica?
Spending Thanksgiving in Costa Rica puts a whole new twist on the traditional holiday and makes for unforgettable memories. While it might not be just like Mom’s, Thanksgiving in Costa Rica is a great chance to get friends and family together for a unique experience. Late November is a fabulous time to visit the small Central American country, so why not double down on your vacation and everyone’s favorite holiday?
Does Costa Rica Celebrate Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is not a traditional holiday in Costa Rica, so it’s not celebrated on a national level, like Christmas or New Year’s. But thanks to the many expats and US citizens living in Costa Rica, it’s now celebrated in many parts of the country with high expat populations. According to The Tico Times, “The Costa Rican Congress decided to approve in a first debate a Bill of Law to declare the last Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day.” This initiative makes Thanksgiving an official observance, known as Día de Acción de Gracias.
One thing the Costa Rican government didn’t consider is that in the US, Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of the month, not the last. But Costa Rica’s initiative states that Día de Acción de Gracias is the last Thursday of the month of November, leading to some confusion. Because it’s not an official holiday, schools, banks, and government offices are all open on Thanksgiving Day, and life for most Costa Ricans continues as usual. Many restaurants in tourist towns, or in areas with large US expat populations, offer special Thanksgiving dinners, though they’re likely served at night, rather than 2 PM turkey, like Grandma used to do.
If you happen to be in Costa Rica for the Thanksgiving holiday, or if you’ve intentionally planned your Thanksgiving in Costa Rica, you’ll have the option to find a restaurant serving up a Thanksgiving meal, or to cook one yourself. Depending on which area of Costa Rica you’ll be in, this can either be a breeze or a bit of a challenge.
What’s the Weather Like in Costa Rica During Thanksgiving?
Because US Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November, the holiday is always towards the end of the month. November can be a great time to visit Costa Rica, as it’s a shoulder season, between the end of the rainy season and just before high tourism season.
While parts of Costa Rica can still be wet in November, the heaviest rains on the Pacific coast typically end by late November, and the country is green and lush. The Caribbean side can be wet in late November, as its green season is opposite from the Pacific. Peak high season pricing doesn’t start until mid-December, so the end of November is typically a great time to book large villas, perfect for hosting a big Thanksgiving celebration.
How to Get a Real Thanksgiving Dinner in Costa Rica
Your Guide to Eating Out, Cooking at Home, or Hiring a Chef for Your Costa Rican Thanksgiving
Spending Thanksgiving in Costa Rica can be a lot of fun, and it’s also a different country with some challenges that will surely make it memorable. The key to celebrating and enjoying Thanksgiving in Costa Rica is keeping an open mind and being flexible.
You might not be able to find every ingredient you buy back home, and some flavors will surely be a bit different than what you’re used to. The great news is that you have several ways to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal in Costa Rica, and we’ll cover a few of those here.
Eating Out: Restaurants & Resorts with Thanksgiving Menus
While not the norm when celebrating Thanksgiving in the US, eating out on this holiday in Costa Rica is a great option. Many resorts, hotels, and restaurants in major tourist areas and areas with large expat populations offer Thanksgiving meals or options, so you can enjoy the Thanksgiving dinner without any of the cleanup!
Be sure to make reservations ahead of time, as many of the places that offer Thanksgiving dinners can book up well in advance. Options range from buffets to plated meals and multi-course dining experiences, and prices match the experience, from $25 to $100 plus depending on the style and location.
Check out some of these locations for a Costa Rican Thanksgiving dinner:
- Four Seasons Peninsula Papagoya, Guanacaste
- Caballo Negro Restaurant in Nuevo Arenal, Alajuela
- Fuego Brewery, Dominical, Puntarenas
- Sal y Fuego Restaurant, Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste
- El Manglar Restaurant, Jacó, Puntarenas
- El Jardín, Atenas, Alajuela
- The Shack, Portero, Guanacaste
Cooking Your Own Thanksgiving Meal
You might want to cook your own Thanksgiving dinner in Costa Rica, and this can be a fun way to spend the holiday, especially if you’re traveling as a group, with friends and family. Cooking a proper Thanksgiving meal in Costa Rica can prove challenging depending on where you’re staying, as certain locations won’t have all the usual fixings.
Auto Mercado Supermarkets are the best places to shop for US and imported products, and these markets tend to carry items specifically for US Thanksgiving around that time of year. PriceMart and Walmart in major cities are also great for finding Thanksgiving fixings.
Finding a turkey in more remote areas, like Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean side, can be tricky, and if you plan to cook your own dinner in a location that doesn’t have a PriceMart or Auto Mercado nearby, consider stocking up on groceries and essentials in the San Jose area before you head to your Thanksgiving destination.
Another thing to consider when planning to cook your own Thanksgiving meal is the kitchen. If you’ll be renting a vacation rental with a kitchen, ask the hosts ahead of time to make sure the oven is large enough for a turkey. Ovens are not the main focus of Costa Rican cooking, and while most vacation rentals have them, they tend to be much smaller than ovens found in the US or Canada.
Hiring a Private Chef
Yet another option is to hire a private chef to cook a personal and intimate Thanksgiving dinner for you and your group. This is the best of both worlds: you can enjoy a full Thanksgiving meal in the privacy of a personal villa or rental property without having to stress about any of the cooking or cleanup.
If you’re looking for a true Thanksgiving vacation experience, let us help you plan it. At Costa Rica Escapes, we’ll happily put together a group itinerary, complete with a private chef, for you to truly enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday and the beauty of a Costa Rican vacation.
Where to Go In Costa Rica for Thanksgiving?
Guanacaste Coast
Guanacaste might be the ideal place to spend Thanksgiving in Costa Rica. With many international flights in and out of Liberia Airport, and most major beaches within an hour drive of the airport, it’s fast and easy to get here. Plus, late November in Guanacaste has great weather: the rainy season is over, but the extreme heat of the dry season has yet to arrive. You’ll find lots of resorts and large villas here, great for celebrating as a family.
Arenal Volcano
If you are craving some time in a cooler climate, check out Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna. It’s a quick 90-minute drive to the region from the Liberia Airport. For those arriving at Juan Santamaría Airport in Alajuela, the drive can take up to four hours, so plan accordingly and shop before you leave the city.
Monteverde
If you want to head to the Cloud Forest of Monteverde, it’ll take you about two hours from the Liberia Airport, and about two and a half hours from the San José Airport. The climate in Monteverde at this time of year is quite cool and fresh. You’ll see a bit of rain, which will make it feel a bit more like fall than heading straight to the beach and sunshine.
Los Sueños Marriott, Playa Herradura
If you’re not in the mood for a turkey dinner and prefer fresh-caught seafood for dinner instead, we suggest that you head down to Los Sueños Marriott in Playa Herradura, just about 15 minutes drive from Jaco. Rather than stick to the same old traditional Thanksgiving of years past, why not switch it up and have an entirely new experience in Costa Rica?
Any location you pick to spend Thanksgiving in Costa Rica is a perfect place. (At least that’s what we think!)
Side note: While Costa Rica is not a big country, if you jump on a map to see how long it takes to drive to your destination, keep in mind it isn’t about the hours; it is about the roads, the rain, or the cows that can slow you down.
Black Friday in Costa Rica
Not only has Costa Rica embraced Thanksgiving, they have also more than embraced Black Friday.
Beyond just one day of sales, you’ll see Black November in stores throughout San José and the Central Valley, as well as in box stores nationwide, like Gollo and Monge. This is a great time for Costa Ricans and expats alike to do some serious shopping. It also creates quite the scene in San Jose and in major shopping zones.
Costa Ricans really love Christmas, and December is a very festive time of year in this country, so leaning into Black November and starting the Christmas shopping early is a very popular new addition to Costa Rican culture.
Planning Tips: Booking Thanksgiving Flights & Hotels
As with most international travel, it’s best to book flights two to three months in advance. Because Thanksgiving falls in the shoulder season, prices can be quite reasonable, but keep in mind that many people travel domestically for Thanksgiving, making connecting flights within the US in higher demand.
Pro Tip: Look into flights for both Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) and Liberia Airport (LIR) to find the best deals. Once you have your flight, you can decide where in Costa Rica to spend Thanksgiving.
Again, November isn’t peak tourism season in Costa Rica, so many resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals will likely be priced just right before the surge of Christmas and New Year’s pricing. Many places even offer discounts around November to try and draw in visitors, so be savvy and shop around till you find the price that’s right for you.
Thanksgiving in Costa Rica: FAQ
- When should I book my flights?
- It’s best practice to book international flights two to six months in advance
- When should I book my hotel for Thanksgiving?
- The sooner the better, but you can also find last-minute deals since November is slow season in most of Costa Rica
- Will my hotel celebrate Thanksgiving?
- Many all-inclusive resorts and some hotels feature Thanksgiving dinners or celebrations. Ask when booking. If your hotel doesn’t serve Thanksgiving dinner, they’ll likely be able to recommend a place nearby that does.
- Should I rent a car for Thanksgiving in Costa Rica?
- It depends on where you’re planning on staying and if you’ll cook your own meal. If you need to do shopping and stock up on goodies, like pumpkin pies and cranberry sauce, having a rental car can make shopping more convenient, but it’s not necessary.
- How long should I stay in Costa Rica for Thanksgiving?
- Many people in the US get Thursday and Friday off, allowing for a four-day weekend. If you can afford to take a few extra days off, it’ll be well worth your while.
- When is Thanksgiving in Costa Rica 2026?
- Thanksgiving in 2026 is on Thursday, November 26th.
- Are grocery stores open on Thanksgiving in Costa Rica?
- Yes, all businesses are open as usual on Thanksgiving in Costa Rica.
Ready to Plan Your Costa Rica Thanksgiving?
Why not do something different this year and spend Thanksgiving with your loved ones in Costa Rica? For an unforgettable experience, contact us at Costa Rica Escape, and we’ll happily help you plan the perfect vacation, with Thanksgiving as the main event.
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.