The Costa Rica most tourists never see.
Cows, horses, masks, offerings to the earth, and villages celebrating the way they have for centuries. Kevin knows the local calendar — and can route your trip around what's happening.
Cultural events worth planning your trip around
These aren't tourist shows. They're real community events that happen whether visitors come or not — which is exactly why they're worth seeing.
Toros a la Tica — village bullfights
Nothing like Spain. The bull is never harmed. Dozens of improvised bull-runners (improvisados) voluntarily jump into the ring, get chased, fall, run — it's chaotic and pure pura vida. Every village has their own version during their patron saint fiesta.
📅 Year-round, peak: December–January (Zapote in San José)
Día de los Boyeros — oxcart parade
Every second Sunday of March in San Antonio de Escazú, hundreds of hand-painted oxcarts parade through the streets. The Sabanilla oxcart is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage symbol of Costa Rica's agricultural history.
📅 Second Sunday of March
Fiesta de los Diablitos — Boruca indigenous ceremony
Men of the Boruca indigenous people wear hand-carved wooden masks and re-enact the symbolic battle against the Spanish conquistadors. Three days of ceremony, dancing, chicha fermented corn drink, and fire. Held in the mountains near Buenos Aires.
📅 December 30 – January 2
Mascaradas — giant papier-mâché masks
Traditional papier-mâché giants (diablos) parade through village streets during patron saint fiestas. Each mask is handcrafted by local artisans and passed down through families. Children run from them. Adults chase them. It's joyful and surreal.
📅 During local patron saint fiestas, varies by village
Romería to Cartago — national pilgrimage
On August 2, hundreds of thousands of Costa Ricans walk up to 60 km to the Basílica de los Ángeles in Cartago to honour La Negrita, the patron saint of Costa Rica. Streets fill from midnight. An extraordinary display of national devotion.
📅 August 2
Village patron saint fiestas
Every town in Costa Rica has a patron saint with an annual fiesta — a week of mass, horseback parades (topes), music, food stalls, carnival rides, and community. Kevin knows which villages have the most authentic celebrations and can route you through one.
📅 Year-round — ask Kevin what's on during your dates
You need to know the calendar
These events follow a local calendar that isn't widely published in English. Kevin tracks what's happening across the country — tell him your dates and he'll tell you what you can catch.
Common questions
Are these events safe for tourists?
Yes. Costa Rica is one of the safest countries in Latin America and local fiestas are family events. The bullfighting rings have separated spectator areas. The only real risk is being swept into the pura vida and not wanting to leave.
Can I visit Boruca indigenous territory as a tourist?
The village of Boruca is open to respectful visitors, especially around the Fiesta de los Diablitos. Kevin can advise on how to visit in a way that is welcomed by the community — not intrusive.
Is local culture only in December and January?
No. Every month has something. The national pilgrimage is August 2. Oxcart parade is March. Patron saint fiestas run year-round across different towns. Kevin matches your dates to what's happening near your route.
Ready to experience the real Costa Rica?
Tell me your dates. I'll tell you what's happening and build a route that includes it.