Celebrate Semana Santa or Easter's Holy Week in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a Catholic country and for many Easter and the week leading up to it is the most important holiday of the year.
Costa Ricans enjoy celebrating holidays. This is a country that boasts an excellent balance between hard work and family time. Officially the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday before Easter are legal holidays. However, many schools and government offices close the entire week between Palm Sunday and Easter. While restaurants and hotels will be open, do not plan to do any business in Costa Rica during Semana Santa as holy week is called.
It is illegal to purchase alcohol in the country on Thursday and Friday. However, seafood and fish is quite popular as many Costa Ricans do not eat meat during the entire week. Restaurants offer seafood specials and grocery stores advertise sales on canned tuna and other fish.
Many Costa Ricans take this week as a time to relax and go to the beach. In fact it is estimated that between 1 to 1.5 million Costa Ricans will visit the beach this week. This is especially the case now with the new highway making it less than an hour from San Jose. Other Costa Ricans, living in the city, may return to the country to spend the week with their family. Additionally, many Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica return home to their country. They will do this before Friday, when most busses are shut down to allow bus drivers time with their families for Easter.
For the people that stay home, this is a week of celebration. There are processions in various cities where actors will illustrate the last days of Christ. Statues in the Church are cleaned and often used in processions; most Churches have services throughout the holidays.
Television does its part as many religious movies will be on television this week. The 10 Commandments are popular, as is Spartacus and The Passion of the Christ.
While there is no standard meal, lots of desserts are available. With fruits being plentiful, various jams and jellies are made and served in a variety of different ways. One drink that is popular at this time of year is Chicha, a hot drink made from aguadulce, ginger and cinnamon.