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Thinking about ringing in the New Year in Costa Rica? Here’s what you need to know – it’s not the party scene you might be expecting.
Costa Rica’s New Year’s celebrations are deeply rooted in family traditions and cultural customs. When I first visited the country more than a decade ago on a study abroad trip that kicked off in early January, I was surprised to find the streets quiet.
I remember sitting on the porch of my homestay in the chilly evening air with a cup of Baileys, watching the fireworks go off around the neighborhood even though it was days after the start of the year. Though that was many years ago, the holiday remains more family-oriented.
These days, I travel to Costa Rica regularly with my Costa Rican husband, and we still sometimes struggle to find a place open for drinks on New Year’s Eve. Rather than a downside, it’s an invitation to explore the holiday in a different way.
If you’re visiting during this time, you’ll have the chance to experience a uniquely local way of celebrating, from silly superstitions like walking your suitcase around the block to heartfelt hugs at midnight.
This guide will walk you through the most common (and uncommon) New Year’s traditions in Costa Rica, and how you can join in respectfully as a visitor.
How Costa Ricans Celebrate the New Year: Local Traditions to Know
It’s not new year without Festejos Populares
One of the most iconic ways Costa Ricans mark the New Year is with the Fiestas de Zapote (also known as Festejos Populares), a major celebration held in the Zapote neighborhood of San José where my husband grew up.
The highlight of the festival is Los Toros, a local twist on bull events. Unlike Spain’s controversial bullfighting, the Costa Rican version is more comedic than cruel. Locals and volunteers enter a ring and try to dodge a charging bull, often incorporating silly stunts.
This year, for example, everyone had to sit at plastic tables as the bull was released, adding a humorous twist to the tradition. That said, it’s worth noting the event can still be stressful for the animal, even if it’s not violent.
You don’t have to watch Los Toros to enjoy the festival. Many visitors come just for the vibrant atmosphere: street food stalls, carnival rides, and live music all add to the festive spirit ringing in the new year.
If you want to experience this tradition:
Go during the last week of December or early January to visit the free festival. Bring cash and keep your bags small and close to you, not on your back as this is a crowded place.
I went during my very first week in Costa Rica, and it was such a fun way to kick off an adventure. The whole thing reminded me of a U.S. state fair, but instead of turkey legs and funnel cake, you’ll find arroz con pollo, pupusas, elote, and mango cele (sour mango). It’s a fantastic way to experience Costa Rican culture, especially if you’re looking to do more than just sightsee.
Traditional Parades That Kick Off the Festejos Populares in San José
The Mascarada is a lively parade often organized by small communities during festivals throughout the year, including the New Year celebrations. It features people marching through the streets, playing traditional instruments, and wearing oversized, colorful papier-mâché masks.
The characters range from devils and folkloric figures to local celebrities, and even pop culture icons. The vibe is joyful and a little chaotic, in the best way.
One year, we watched a Mascarada parade march right past us during Christmas. Among the masked characters were Santa, Jim Carrey’s The Mask, and a creepy old lady, a surprisingly common and oddly beloved figure in these parades.
Another parade, the Tope Nacional is a huge horse parade that takes over the streets of San José every year on December 27. Riders from all over the country come dressed in traditional cowboy gear to show off their horses with pride.
If you want to experience these traditions:
Check with the local municipality of where you are staying. Many towns host their own Mascarada parades. If you’re staying in San José, you’re likely to catch one downtown. We even had a small parade pass by our house on Christmas Eve.
For the Tope, head to downtown San José early to get a good viewing spot along Paseo Colón. Traffic is wild that day, so plan on taking a bus or walking. You can also catch coverage of it on the local news channel.
Know before you go
If you’re heading into downtown San José, leave valuables at home and keep a close eye on your pockets to avoid any pick-pocketing.
What Costa Ricans Eat for New Year’s: Traditional Foods You Might Try
New Year’s Eve in Costa Rica is typically celebrated with a large family dinner or outdoor cookout shared among extended family and friends. It’s all about good company and even better food.
At these gatherings, you’ll likely see grilled favorites like carne asada (beef), marinated chicken, pork legs, or chicharron—a local favorite of crispy fried pork.
It’s also common to exchange or share fruit gifts around this time of year. Apples, pears, grapes, and fruit baskets are especially popular, believed to bring luck, prosperity, and good health in the coming year.
If you want to experience this tradition:
Ask your host where to find an authentic holiday cookout. You might even be invited to one! Grocery stores and farmer’s markets often sell fruit if you want to take part or bring some as a gift, and I’m sure the gesture will go a long way if you gift something to your hosts or hotel workers.
Lucky Underwear Traditions
Yes, really – underwear color matters in Costa Rica on New Year’s Eve. According to my mother-in-law, yellow underwear brings good luck. I’ve also heard red is for love and passion, and green is tied to prosperity. This is an older tradition that isn’t as common for today’s Ticos, but still fun to mention.
Attending Mass on New Year’s Eve
Given Costa Rica’s strong Catholic traditions, many families still attend New Year’s Eve mass before celebrating. It’s a moment of reflection, prayer, and gratitude before the year changes.
If you want to experience this tradition:
Most local churches hold evening services on December 31. You don’t have to be Catholic to attend, but dress respectfully and observe quietly. It’s a beautiful way to witness how Costa Ricans blend spirituality with celebration.
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Fireworks, Family, and Susperstitions: What Happens on New Year’s Eve in Costa Rica
If there’s one thing Costa Ricans love during New Year’s, it’s fireworks, and not just on the 31st. You’ll hear pops and bangs for several days before and after New Year’s Eve, with families and neighbors lighting up the sky from their own backyards and streets.
Unlike many big cities, there’s no big central fireworks show in San José. The displays are more spontaneous and scattered. You’ll often hear fireworks going off in the distance in the early evening and they’ll keep going well past midnight.
If you want to see fireworks:
Ask your host or hotel if there is a good viewing spot nearby. Don’t wander around San José at night though – have a planned location and go straight there.
Some beach towns like Tamarindo, Jaco, or Puerto Viejo tend to have more organized celebrations. If you’re staying near the coast, check with locals or your accommodation to see if there’s a main viewing spot or event planned.
Otherwise, just look up and chances are you’ll catch them at some point.
Of course, staying up until midnight is a common tradition here too, complete with a countdown.
New Years traditions when the clock strikes midnight
When the clock strikes midnight in Costa Rica, don’t expect a kiss like in the U.S. Instead, you’ll be greeted with a wave of warm hugs and heartfelt wishes of “¡Feliz Año Nuevo!” (Happy New Year!) from everyone around you. It’s a moment that feels deeply communal, filled with joy, laughter, and genuine connection.
One tradition that’s still going strong is the playing of “El Año Viejo” by Tony Camargo, a nostalgic and slightly silly song that bids farewell to the old year by remembering all the good things it brought. It’s practically the unofficial New Year’s anthem in Costa Rica, and hearing it always makes me smile.
Don’t forget the lucky grapes
As is common in many Spanish-speaking countries, Costa Ricans will often eat 12 grapes on New Year’s to signify each of the 12 months. Some say the grapes bring good fortune, while others make an intention with each grape to ensure the luck they bring.
Hoping to travel more in the new year?
There’s an older Costa Rican tradition that says if you walk your suitcase around the block at midnight, it will bring you a year full of travel. This one has definitely faded over time, but my husband and I still do it every year, and we always manage to convince at least a few cousins to join us. It’s a lighthearted way to set intentions and share a laugh with loved ones.
And, I will say, the only year we didn’t do this was the New Year’s preceding 2020. So, I’m inclined to believe in this superstition.
If you want to experience these traditions:
Buy your grapes in advance – supermarkets and produce stands get busy that week. And don’t be shy about hugging strangers at midnight; it’s part of the culture. If you’re staying in a neighborhood or with a host family, ask if they play El Año Viejo or do the suitcase walk. These little rituals are some of the most memorable ways to experience Costa Rica like a local.
What Happens on New Year’s Day in Costa Rica?
The Santa Lucia Flower and Other Good Luck Traditions
Santa Lucia Flower – During my first visit to Costa Rica I befriended a local on the bus to Puerto Viejo.
As we stayed in touch during the rest of my study abroad experience, he taught me a few local customs including the Santa Lucia flower.
The saying goes that if someone picks a Santa Lucia flower and gifts it to you in the new year, you will have wealth and prosperity.
You can keep the flower pressed and dried in your wallet to keep the cash flow coming, but you can’t pick the flowers yourself as they have to be gifted to you.
This beautiful lilac colored wildflower is tiny and low to the ground, so try to spot it while you’re out celebrating the new year. A plant in the Aster family, Santa Lucia flowers can be found throughout the regions of Costa Rica.
How Costa Ricans Spend New Year’s Day (Hint: Pack for the Beach)
New Year’s Day in Costa Rica is all about winding down and soaking up those final festive moments, often by continuing some beloved Christmas traditions. Families gather to enjoy homemade tamales, sip on rompope (a Costa Rican-style eggnog spiked with rum), and spend quality time together.
But one of the most popular ways to celebrate January 1st? A beach day. Since most Costa Ricans live in or near the Central Valley, many pack up the car and drive two to three hours to the coast—Jaco, Puntarenas, or Playa Hermosa are common picks. The beaches are full of families lounging in the sun, grilling up food, playing music, and making the most of their last day off before work resumes.
If you want to experience this tradition:
Expect traffic early in the day and plan to head out before 9 AM if you’re driving. Bring a cooler, towels, and your best Pura Vida mindset – it’s less about relaxing in solitude and more about joining the joyful chaos of local beach culture. If you’re staying in a coastal town already, you’re in the perfect place to kick off the year like a local.
Should You Celebrate New Year’s in Costa Rica?
Did any of these Costa Rican New Year’s traditions surprise you? While the holiday might feel a little more low-key compared to the party scenes you’ll find in the U.S., it offers something far more meaningful: connection, culture, and community.
Whether you’re hugging strangers at midnight, dancing in a Mascarada parade, or walking your suitcase around the block, celebrating New Year’s in Costa Rica is a memorable way to ring in the year.
Planning a trip? Don’t miss my Ultimate Costa Rica Travel Guide to help you make the most of your visit—from beaches to wildlife to cultural customs like these.
Read More About Costa Rica
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- Costa Rican New Year’s Traditions: How to Celebrate the New Year Like A Local
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