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Christmas Traditions
in Costa Rica

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Christmas Traditions in Costa Rica
Christmas is celebrated all around the world. Each country has different customs and traditions. Learn about the Christmas traditions in Costa Rica. Different countries celebrate in their own way including different dates, food, drinks which lead to a variety of diverse Christmas traditions around the World! This article features popular Costa-Rican Christmas traditions detailing the celebrations, gift giving, Santa Claus and other customs followed in Costa Rica. We have even included some useful facts and information about the country, the flag and even the language!

Flag of Costa Rica

Christmas Traditions in Costa Rica
A tradition is a specific practice of long standing in which unwritten customs and practices are passed from one generation to the next. Traditions and customs form part of a country's culture and heritage. The following information provides some fast, interesting facts about customs and Christmas traditions in Costa Rica:

  • Las Posadas (Spanish for "the inns") is a Costa Rican celebration during the nine days before Christmas

  • Las Posadas begins December 16 and ends December 24. This festival symbolizes the journey made by Mary and Joseph before the reached the stable inn where the infant Jesus was born. Homes in Costa Rica have a nativity scene and the hosts of the Posada act as the innkeepers. Carols and songs are sung from house to house until they reach the home, or church, which has agreed to host a party

  • Christmas trees are often painted white and star of Bethlehem crowns the tree

  • On Christmas Eve (Noche Buena) Tico children put their shoes out for the Christ child (El Nino Jesus, "the infant Jesus.") to fill with candy and small gifts

  • Celebrations include traditional carnival-like street parties. Floats are displayed in processions and there are massive firework displays
  • Floats displayed at the Festival de la Luz feature decorations and materials to imitate snow
  • El Destile de Luces is a magical night time parade with thousands of Christmas lights
  • The Toros a la Tica bullfights are a highlight when young men enter the arena with the bulls (the bulls are not harmed)
  • Costa-Rican Christmas traditions and customs

Christmas Traditions in Costa Rica - The Food!
What do people eat in other countries at this special time of the year? Festive feasts and recipes are traditional for special occasions including family dinners and meals. Interesting facts about the special food eaten as part of the customs and Christmas traditions in Costa Rica:

  • Tamales are a delicacy in Costa Rica on Xmas Eve. Costa Rican tamales are a favorite festive dish which consist of a steam-cooked corn dough. Tamales can be filled with meats, cheese  and sliced chilli peppers
  • Pupusa is a thick, hand-made corn biscuit-like flat bread stuffed with pork or cheese is also served
  • Tortillas filled with chicken or pork are also on the menu as well as as well as empanadas which is another form of stuffed bread or pastry
  • Turron is a nougat desert made of honey, sugar and egg white which is topped with toasted almonds. Grapes and apples often finish the meal

  • Christmas traditions in Costa Rica

Costa-Rican Christmas Vocabulary
How do you say Merry Christmas in Costa Rica? If you have friends or family who live, or have ties with, a different country it is a nice gesture to add a seasons greetings in the language of the country. A practical addition to learning about Christmas traditions in Costa Rica:

  • How do you say Merry Christmas in Costa-Rican? "Feliz Navidad!"
  • What is the name for Santa Claus? Papa Noel

Facts and Information about Costa Rica
Learn a little about the country of Costa Rica, as well as its Christmas traditions! The following information provides some fast, interesting facts about Costa Rica:

  • Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
  • Costa Rican Land Size : 50,660 sq km
  • Costa Rican Climate / Weather : tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands
  • Costa Rican Population : 3,956,507 (July 2004 est.)
  • Costa Rican Capital City: San Jose
  • Costa Rican Currency : Costa Rican colon (CRC)

Facts and Information about the Costa-Rican Flag
Facts and info about the flag of Costa Rica:

  • The flag of Costa Rica is described as: Five horizontal bands of blue, white, red , white and blue, with the coat of arms of Costa Rica in a white disk on the red band

  • The history of the Costa-Rican flag: The seven stars above the volcanoes represent the seven Costa Rican provinces - Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, and San Jose

Christmas Traditions in Costa Rica
This article provides an overview of the country and the different Christmas traditions in Costa Rica. Lots of free, facts and information for kids, children and teachers! Popular Costa-Rican Christmas traditions detailing the celebrations, gift giving, Santa Claus and other customs followed in Costa Rica.


 

Christmas Traditions in Costa Rica

  • Christmas Traditions in Costa Rica
  • Costa-Rican Christmas traditions and customs
  • Festive greetings in Costa-Rican
  • Interesting Facts and Info about Costa Rica - including the Flag of Costa Rica
  • Read about Christmas Traditions around the World
  • Christmas Traditions around the world
  • For teachers, kids and children
  • Free, useful facts and interesting information
  • Christmas Traditions in Costa Rica

Christmas Traditions in Costa Rica

"Merry Christmas, have a happy and prosperous New Year!"

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