Christmas in Costa Rica: Traditions, Food and the Start of the Festive Season

How Christmas Sets the Tone for the Holiday Spirit

Christmas in Costa Rica blends spirituality, family traditions and tropical flavors in a way that feels warm, lively and deeply rooted in local culture. While the holiday retains its religious origins, it also serves as the gateway to the country’s high-energy December festivities. Travelers visiting during this period experience a balance of peaceful moments at home and vibrant celebrations that lead directly into the carnival season.

Christmas Eve Through the Eyes of Local Families

What Happens During Midnight Mass

Christmas Eve is the heart of the celebration. Families gather for Misa de Gallo, the traditional midnight mass held in churches throughout the country. The service includes carols, prayers and the blessing of nativity scenes. As people leave church just after midnight, they greet friends and neighbors, exchange well-wishes and head home to continue the celebration.

Nativity Displays Known as Pasitos or Portales

Many Costa Rican homes feature carefully arranged nativity scenes called pasitos or portales. These displays often include moss, lights and handcrafted figurines. Families take pride in decorating them, sometimes adding tropical plants or local touches that reflect their community’s identity.

The Christmas Meal and Seasonal Dishes

The heart of a Costa Rican Christmas is the food and family gatherings. See how these holiday dishes are prepared and enjoyed in this video:

Tamales Wrapped in Plantain Leaves

Christmas is synonymous with tamales, which are made from corn dough filled with pork or chicken, wrapped in plantain leaves and cooked in boiling water. The preparation is a social activity that brings relatives together for an entire day of cooking and storytelling.

Pork, Chicken Rice and Holiday Drinks

Many homes serve roasted pork leg along with chicken rice, salads and fresh vegetables. Holiday drinks vary from family to family but often include rum punch, eggnog or juices mixed with guaro, Costa Rica’s traditional sugarcane spirit.

Seasonal Fruits That Mark the Holiday

Apples and pears take center stage in December. Vendors sell them in markets and along main streets, and they frequently appear on household tables as part of the Christmas season.

Decorations and Symbols that Brighten the Season

Tropical Flowers as Holiday Accents

Instead of pine branches or winter greenery, homes in Costa Rica use bright tropical flowers to decorate their nativity displays and dining tables. These colorful arrangements give Christmas a uniquely warm and tropical feel.

Lights and Festive Displays

By mid-December, streets, homes and public buildings glow with decorative lights. Families often create elaborate outdoor displays, and neighborhood competitions for the most festive house are common.

A Peaceful Christmas Morning Before the Celebrations Resume

Christmas morning is usually quiet. Families enjoy a slow breakfast, exchange gifts and relax at home. For travelers, this calm period offers a peaceful pause before the city transitions into its next major celebration.

Christmas Afternoon and the Start of the Zapote Festival

Why December 25 Marks a Shift in the Celebration

While the morning is peaceful, the afternoon marks a cultural turning point. As the day progresses, people begin preparing for the Fiestas de Zapote, which start on December 25 and run into early January.

From Family Gathering to Public Carnival

By late afternoon, crowds begin heading to the Zapote district of San José. The fairgrounds come alive with carnival rides, food stalls, live music, games and the famous Toros a la Tica. The shift from family time to public celebration highlights how intertwined Christmas and Costa Rica’s broader festive season truly are.

Tips for Travelers Spending Christmas in Costa Rica

• Expect most stores and offices to close midday on December 24 and remain closed through December 25.
• Join the tradition of purchasing apples and pears from street vendors for a taste of the local holiday season.
• Reserve restaurants early if you plan to dine out on Christmas Eve, since many families celebrate at home.
• Visit churches or local communities to experience the peaceful and spiritual side of the holiday before the festivities intensify.
• If you want to attend the Zapote Festival, head to the grounds by late afternoon on December 25 to enjoy the first evening of rides, food and shows.