10 Christmas Traditions in Costa Rica

As a predominately Roman Catholic country, Costa Rica celebrates the Christmas season with all of the traditions and pageantry they can muster. And while they don’t see snow, you can be sure to see them deck the halls with lights, snowmen, and Santa alongside the manger, Mary, Joseph, and Three Wise Men.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas in Costa Rica, towns, businesses, and houses are decorated with lights just like you would see back home. There is even a big light parade in San Jose called Festival de la Luz on the second week of December each year. Most houses decorate a Christmas tree but the centerpiece of any Costa Rican home Christmas decor has got to the nativity scene, or portal. This often elaborate display can usually be found under the Christmas tree or set up on a table, built up with layers, greenery, and sand, and surrounded with lights. Baby Jesus is not added to the portal until Christmas Day, however.

How Do They Celebrate Christmas in Costa Rica?

While Christmas Day is typically the biggest celebration in the US and Canada, that’s not the case in Costa Rica. Here’s how Ticos celebrate each day of Christmas.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is a major event for the holiday season in Costa Rica. This is the night that families typically get together for their big meal. It is usually served quite late, either before or after attending the Midnight Mass, called the Misa de Gallo (Mass of the Rooster).

Also on Christmas Eve, children leave their shoes out for Niño Dios (Baby Jesus) to fill with gifts, although this Costa Rican tradition has been mostly replaced by stockings and Santa Claus (called San Nicolás or Colacho).

Christmas Day

An annual paid holiday, Christmas Day is usually spent relaxing after spending a late-night performing Christmas Eve traditions. Many Costa Ricans head for the beach on Christmas Day, so you will find this to be a very busy day traffic-wise.

Costa Ricans often take holidays from work over the Christmas season as they receive an annual bonus worth a full month’s salary. Also, school children have their longest break of the year during this time, so people from all over the country head to the beach for their long-anticipated holiday.

Day After Christmas

On December 26, the annual horse parade called El Gran Tope Nacional takes place in downtown San Jose, with 3,000 horses trotting down the streets in their signature style. This event is viewed by the rest of the country via television.

Another big event watched eagerly on TV in the next few days is the toros (bulls). The bull run (corridas de toros) sees brave volunteers running through the bullpen trying not to get trampled or impaled by the running bull. This fun event is highlighted by typical bull riding taking place amongst real cowboys. While the main event takes place east of San Jose in Zapote, the rest of the country soon follows suit with a rodeo, or fiesta, of their own.

New Year’s Eve

While Christmas tends to be a quiet, family gathering, New Year’s Eve is the main event of the Costa Rica holiday season. Even those families who couldn’t be together for Christmas will likely be getting together for New Year’s Eve. It’s the biggest party of the year, full of backyard parties and fireworks displays. In fact, you will hear fireworks going off periodically for a week or two before Christmas until well after New Year’s Day.

Rezo del Niño

The elaborate nativity scenes that are put up with great care by Costa Ricans each year are not simply taken down and put into a box for next year. Taking down the portal includes a prayer to the Baby Jesus, called the Rezo del Niño. This Costa Rica Christmas tradition usually takes place on January 6 or 7 with prayers, family, and of course, food. At this time the portal, and the Baby Jesus, can be put away for another year.

What Do They Eat for Christmas in Costa Rica?

In Costa Rica, you won’t find a holiday ham or turkey on most tables. But food is still a huge part of celebrating Christmas in Costa Rica. Here’s what you will find on most tables.

Tamales

Christmas in Costa Rica is tamale time! Costa Rican tamales have a base of corn masa (dough), with rice, chicken or pork, and vegetables wrapped in a banana leaf. Tamales often include surprise additions such as garbanzo beans, capers, and olives, depending on the region.

Tamales are typically only made around Christmas time, because of the amount of effort involved in making them. It is often a family effort, with mom or grandma preparing the painstaking masa, and children forming a production line to help add the other ingredients. Tamales are often served in pairs, tied together, which is referred to as a piña (pineapple). These tasty treats are served on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and at every holiday gathering until they are gone!

Pierna de Cerdo

It is a Costa Rican tradition to serve pierna de cerdo (pork roast) on New Year’s Eve or Christmas Eve in some Costa Rican families. The preparation begins a few days prior when it is basted with seasonings and left to marinate. The meal is often served with vegetables, white rice or potatoes, and sweet buns. Dessert usually consists of budin, which is like a bread pudding, or a Christmas cake with dried fruit and icing.

Carne Asada

A common family event during the Christmas season is a barbecue, often over coals or an open flame. You will find Costa Rican families gathering for barbeques in the yard and on the beach during the holiday season. Carne asada is a common dish at these smoky family gatherings, which is combined with tortillas and chimichurri. Carne asada literally means grilled meat but a carne asada is an event in itself. Bring a chair, your favorite beverages, and a lively playlist!

Rompope

Costa Rican Rompope is a creamy rum drink made with eggs, milk, sugar, and cinnamon. Referred to as eggnog in English, this traditional Costa Rican Christmas drink is enjoyed cold since December is the beginning of verano (summer) in the Central American country.

Grapes

Get yourself a bunch of grapes to eat on New Year’s Eve if you are the superstitious type. Twelve grapes eaten at the chimes of the midnight clock are said to give you 12 months of good luck. Alternatively, eat 12 grapes and make 12 wishes for the year ahead at midnight.

By Jennifer LaCharite