Easter week in Costa Rica can offer a rare peek behind the shined-to-perfection tourism curtain, revealing an authentic, treasured look at the real Costa Rica: at a people, culture, and tapestry of tradition that transcend even our postcard-perfect beaches and lush rainforests. This is the Costa Rica of both yesterday and today – a Costa Rica that preserves many of its most treasured traditions, on offer for all who choose to share in them.
Truly, Easter week in Costa Rica is a journey into the heart of a centuries-old culture steeped in faith, community, and religious heritage. Because, while the beaches always beckon, the true treasures of Semana Santa (“Holy Week”) lie in the experiences often missed by traditional travel itineraries. And yet, these are those ephemeral, almost hidden moments that serve to illuminate Costa Rican identity, blending solemn traditions with bursts of creativity and flavor.
And so, consider this your official invitation: The pleasure of your company is requested this Easter. Come discover a few of the hidden gems of Costa Rica!
Treasures of Authenticity
The magic of Easter week in Costa Rica lies in its layers. This is the one time of year when centuries-old customs coexist with the spontaneous joys of modern life, cracking open the core of local life and creating an experience that feels both deeply rooted and refreshingly unpretentious. From processions that bring faith to life to meals that tell stories of resilience and creativity, every new moment feels like you’re uncovering the hidden gems of Costa Rica.
This is an Easter unlike any other – an invitation to see Costa Rica not just as a destination, but as a living, breathing expression of our rich history and layered culture. Whether you are toeing the colorful sawdust of an alfombra, savoring the sweetness of chiverre jam, or simply drinking in the golden sun, you are not just a spectator; you are a part of the story. And that is a treasure no guidebook can promise.
Easter Week Processions: Living Art in Motion
A highlight of Semana Santa, Costa Rica’s religious processions are immersive spectacles of devotion and artistry. Rooted in the nation’s Catholic heritage, these processions are intricate reenactments of biblical events, brought to life (often, brutally) by entire communities.
Streets transform into living canvases adorned with alfombras – vibrant carpets painstakingly crafted from colored sawdust, flowers, and the occasional fruits. These ephemeral artworks serve as both a tribute and a stage for processional participants to portray scenes from the Passion of the Christ, also known as the Crucifixion. From Roman soldiers to Christ on the cross, each reenactor brings depth to their performance, which together unfold in both solemnity and grandeur.
Key processions take place throughout Easter week in Costa Rica. Holy Wednesday depicts Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, with palms and cheers recreated in vivid detail. Maundy Thursday focuses on the Last Supper, often accompanied by traditional foot-washing ceremonies in churches. On Good Friday – typically, the day most processions are held – the crucifixion and burial processions crescendo to their emotional dénouement, often culminating in candlelight and silence to amplify their poignancy. (Remember, Costa Rica is a Catholic country and Easter is the holiest of holidays.)
What makes these events unforgettable is their authenticity. Far removed from tourism or commerce, Costa Rica’s Easter week processions are deep and meaningful expressions of faith and artistry, passed down through generations. For travelers, walking alongside these vibrant displays is an invitation to step into the rhythm of our collective spiritual and cultural heartbeat.
Culinary Heritage: A Taste of Tradition
If you can’t (or would prefer not to) make it to an Easter procession, Semana Santa’s culinary landscape offers an experience almost as rich and varied as the celebrations themselves.
Costa Rica’s Easter table is laden with dishes that reflect the season’s traditions, religious heritage, and local bounty from land and sea. For you, these flavors offer a deeper connection to our culture, with each new dish a flavor telling a tiny tidbit about Costa Rica’s history and Christian devotion.
- Arroz con camarones (Rice with Shrimp): A dish that avoids meat (per Catholic tradition) while paying homage to Costa Rica’s coastal riches, this vibrant meal combines fresh shrimp with annatto-tinged rice, vegetables, and spices. It’s a celebration of abundance and a staple of Holy Week.
- Bacalao guisado (Stewed Cod): Though harder to find in restaurants, this hearty dish features salt cod stewed with tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers. Its preparation also reflects the Catholic tradition of abstaining from red meat during Lent.
- Picadillo de palmito (Hearts of Palm Hash): Delicate hearts of palm are finely chopped and sautéed with spices and vegetables, encapsulating both Costa Rican culinary tradition (“picadillos,” or vegetable hash are local staples!) and the nation’s ethos of simplicity and sustainability.
- Empanadas de chiverre (Chiverre Empanadas): Sweet and flaky, these pastries are filled with candied chiverre squash, a cherished seasonal treat. Their preparation is often a communal activity, bringing families together in kitchens across the country. You absolutely should miss a chiverre treat!
- Wild Mango Preserves and Candied Fruits: These desserts, steeped in syrup and nostalgia, are hallmarks of Costa Rica’s Easter celebrations. They capture the sweetness of the season, both figuratively and literally.
Your meals during Easter week in Costa Rica is about more than sustenance – it’s an exploration of our cultural and religious heritage, with each meal offering a glimpse into the interplay between faith, family, and the land’s natural gifts.
Coastal and Cultural Escapes
For many, Easter week in Costa Rica seamlessly blends reverence with relaxation. While the beaches of Guanacaste and Puntarenas draw annual sun-seekers, both local (primarily from the Central Valley) and international, Semana Santa also adds on a few extra layers of cultural discovery to your seasonal escape.
Depending on where you’re staying, you’ll discover markets alive with seasonal goods – from handmade crafts to fresh produce – offering visitors the chance to support local artisans while taking home a piece of Costa Rica. In towns like Nosara and Tamarindo, Holy Week celebrations spill into the streets, where traditional music and dance bubble with infectious energy. Even the Dry Law, which restricts alcohol sales on Holy Thursday and Good Friday (now, only in select counties), offers a unique perspective, reminding all of us of the week’s spiritual underpinnings.
Beyond the bustling streets and markets, nature offers its own form of sanctuary. During Semana Santa, our national parks and remote beaches are alive with activity: Explore hidden trails, secluded coves, or serene volcanic hot springs. Whether you’re snorkeling along coral reefs, paddleboarding at sunrise, or savoring a quiet moment on your oceanview terrace, Costa Rica’s natural beauty serves as the perfect counterpoint to vibrant Easter traditions.
Where to Stay
Our Easter dates are booking fast but we still have very select availability. Act soon, though!
Casa de Luz
Playa Langosta | 8 Beds | 6.5 Baths | 14 to 23 Guests
When you’re traveling with a group (or even a hoard!) of your nearest and dearest, then you’ll have your eye on Casa de Luz, the grandest beachfront villa for miles – and its own, self-contained boutique resort.
Set along the Millionaire Mile of Playa Langosta, Casa de Luz comprises a main villa and two independent courtyard casitas, surrounded by lush gardens, a private pool, and the world’s best front yard: crashing waves, soft sand, and a warm Pacific Ocean. And that’ll undoubtedly be the focus of your vacation and celebration, which sprawl over ample outdoor gathering spaces.
Unique streak: A cut above the rest, Casa de Luz is one of the Tamarindo area’s only solar-powered homes. It’s not just that, though: The home uses Costa Rica’s top-of-the line biodegradable cleaning and hygiene products (great for sensitive skin, by the way!) and the pool/laundry’s ozone sanitation systems reduce by 90% the need for chlorine and cleaning products.
Serenity Point
Tamarindo | 7 Beds | 9 Baths | 17 Guests
Serenity Point is more than a villa; it’s an architectural masterpiece brought to life by renowned architect Richard Muller. Nestled in a beachfront gated community, this exclusive retreat offers seven oceanfront bedrooms, each with private patios and captivating views of Langosta Beach and Tamarindo Bay.
The villa’s seamless integration of nature and design is evident in its indoor-outdoor showers, lush water gardens, and palm-lined entrance, creating a serene and inviting ambiance from the moment you arrive. Serenity Point’s private infinity pool, perfectly positioned to overlook the coastline, is the ultimate setting for relaxation or celebration, whether you’re soaking in the views by day or stargazing at night.
For those seeking activity, Serenity Point offers an array of luxurious amenities, including a private gym with ocean views, and an in-home mini golf course for playful moments. Every detail of the villa is designed to cater to both relaxation and entertainment, ensuring an unforgettable stay for guests. Serenity Point also offers full villa staff, including VIP concierge services and daily breakfast.
Casa Breeze
Playa Conchal | 5 Beds | 5 Baths | 12 Guests
Secreted into the prestigious surrounds of Reserva Conchal – and just a 2-minute golf-cart ride to the beach! – Casa Breeze is a stunning 5-bedroom villa, home to an array of striking amenities, including a private pool, a fully equipped kitchen, and spacious living areas.
But first, its location: Within Reserva Conchal, a spectacular and established community, your rental grants you access to an onsite championship golf course, spa and Fitness Center, tennis courts, restaurants, hiking and biking trails, a wildlife refuge, and the Reserva Conchal Beach Club, with a beachfront infinity-edge pool, international restaurant, bar, beach gear, and onsite activities, including snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and more.
Of course, you’re here for more than your surrounds and in that, Casa Breeze delivers with luxurious amenities, including fairway views, outdoor living areas with an infinity pool and waterslide, a top-floor honeymoon-suite-style master bedroom with balcony, and our Elite Service (including daily housekeeping). Welcome to paradise!
Upgrade Your Easter Week in Costa Rica: Dedicated LVCR Concierge Services
When you reserve one of our Costa Rica all-inclusive villas, you’re guaranteeing yourself both a spectacular vacation home and full (and FREE) travel concierge services.
So, what does that mean? After you make your reservation, your personal concierge will get in touch. She’ll send our welcome book, which includes plenty of details about the Tamarindo area, activities, tours, and other need-to-know information. Then, your concierge will follow up, in order to know you and your travel group as well as s/he knows Costa Rica.
After you’ve built your must-see, must-experience list, your concierge will help you build your trip around your wish list: tours, adventures, spa services, personal chefs – whatever you seek, your concierge will source. Then, s/he will book them all on your behalf, with zero markup.
And, while you’re here, your personal concierge is on call to attend any problems, questions, or other issues. You’re never without helping, and that itself is its own amenity.