If you’re dreaming of the holidays or Christmas in Costa Rica – a tropical paradise where twinkle lights glow against a backdrop of lush palms, and tamales take center stage over the Christmas ham, then Costa Rica just might be calling your name.
Our warm-weather twist on your favorite holiday traditions awaits, and we have ten reasons why Costa Rica could be your ultimate Christmas escape:
Reason #1: The Weather during Christmas in Paradise
Picture this: it’s December but instead of dreary days and inches snow, you’re measuring the height of the waves and counting all the hues in our emerald-green landscapes, thanks to being at the tail end of the rainy season.
Add endless sunny skies, warm days, and a hint of the iconic Christmas trade winds, and you have Costa Rica’s holiday weather – perfect for everything lazy beach days to adventurous hikes. It’s the kind of Christmas climate that’s equal parts festive and blissfully balmy.
Reason #2: Festivities that Last All Month
Christmas in Costa Rica isn’t confined to a single day. Here, the holiday season is a month-long party! Really.
From street parades to fireworks that rival any New Year’s display, December in Costa Rica is electric (often literally, check out those lights!) with holiday joy. You won’t just witness these celebrations; you’ll be swept up in them, surrounded by the sounds of carols, festive lights, and the laughter of locals and visitors alike.
Reason #3: Unique Costa Rican Traditions
Step into the heart of Christmas in Costa Rica with traditions that blend festive spirit, Catholic tradition, and local culture.
From mascaradas – parades of giant, playful masks – to stunning portales (nativity scenes) that adorn every home, Costa Rica’s customs are a vibrant tapestry of holiday spirit. Many nativity scenes are hand-crafted family heirlooms, sometimes sprawling six feet long, offering an immersive peek into the country’s devotion and artistry.
Reason #4: Light Shows to Brighten Every Corner
When it comes to holiday decor, Costa Rica doesn’t hold back. As early as the late November, towns like Tamarindo and Flamingo come alive with Christmas lights, casting a soft, warm glow on the beach towns.
Tree lighting ceremonies are community events, often with local choirs, firework displays, and celebrations that add to the season’s magic. A night stroll reveals this holiday wonderland, where every lighted palm and twinkling storefront exudes pure joy.
Reason #5: The Delicious Taste of Christmas
In Costa Rica, Christmas has a distinct taste. And, if you can recalibrate your expectations, we think you’ll love it.
The star of the holiday spread? Tamales – savory bundles of corn masa, stuffed with pork, rice, and vegetables, wrapped in banana leaves. Each family has its own cherished recipe, adding a personal touch to this festive treat. Pair that with a slice of queque navideño (Christmas fruitcake), rich with flavors and tradition, and you’re experiencing the culinary heart of a Christmas in Costa Rica.
Reason #6: Try Your Luck with El Gordo
Christmas in Costa Rica comes with an extra thrill: El Gordo, the national Christmas lottery.
Locals believe it brings good fortune, and buying a ticket is practically a tradition. With funds supporting social programs, you can feel good about trying your luck while soaking up the holiday vibe. Who knows? Your Christmas in Costa Rica could end with more than just beautiful memories.
Reason #7: A Christmas Dinner with Costa Rican Flair
Gathering around the table for Christmas dinner is universal, but in Costa Rica, expect a unique twist on the holiday feast.
Costa Rican families serve up pierna de cerdo asada – a savory, slow-roasted pork leg, beautifully seasoned and bursting with flavor. If you’re spending the season in one of our Costa Rica vacation properties, ask your personal chef (see our offer, below!) to dish up this traditional treat, infusing Costa Rican flair into traditional holiday flavors.
Reason #8: Holiday Events that Make the Season Sparkle
Costa Rica’s holiday calendar is packed.
The December Teletón (phone-a-thon_ is a televised charity event with an outpouring of local support, while the Festival de la Luz (the Festival of Lights) in San José draws thousands for a dazzling early-December light show complete with floats, fireworks, and holiday cheer. You’ll find yourself caught up in the festive whirlwind, marveling at each unique Costa Rican tradition.
Reason #9: Noche Buena – Christmas Eve Done Costa Rican Style
Christmas Eve, or Noche Buena, is the heart of Christmas in Costa Rica.
On this special day, families come together over a festive spread of tamales, roasted pork, and rompope (Costa Rican eggnog with a hint – or a glug, depending on the pour – of rum), followed by a gift exchange. Some also head to la Misa del Gallo, or Midnight Mass, for a beautiful midnight service. It’s a night steeped in love, joy, and community – an invitation to experience Costa Rica’s Christmas spirit firsthand.
Reason #10: El Tope: The Ultimate Costa Rican Horse Parade
The day after Christmas, San José hosts El Tope – a grand parade of horses and skilled riders, decked out in traditional finery.
This isn’t just a parade; it’s a cultural display, with riders guiding their horses through intricate dances and steps known as the paso costarricense. Whether you’re watching from the streets or tuning in via national broadcast, El Tope is a captivating close to your Costa Rican holiday.
Where to Stay
Christmas week is notoriously popular, which means that so many of our Costa Rica vacation properties have been booked for months (or even since last Christmas!). That said, as of this post’s publication, we still have a few Christmas-week rentals available, now featuring a very special Christmas offer:
Jingle Your Way to a Tropical Holiday Feast!
This holiday season, treat yourself to a stress-free celebration with a feast that matches the paradise around you. Imagine your Christmas ham or New Year’s seafood spread, served up with a side of ocean views! With our exclusive $500 Chef Gift Card, you can elevate your holiday traditions without lifting a finger – except to toast with champagne.
From prep to clean-up, let the experts handle it all while you focus on laughter, love, and memory-making with family and friends. Book by 11/30/2024 to claim your slice of paradise with a feast fit for the season, no apron required! Just mention code FEAST in your inquiry to redeem this special gift.
Royal Estates
Tamarindo | 10 Beds | 11 Baths | 23 Guests
Welcome to Royal Estates, a masterpiece of luxury in Tamarindo’s exclusive El Tesoro gated community, where two villas are joined by a lush, tropical pathway and surrounded by sweeping 200+ degree views of ocean and mountains. From every room, you’ll marvel at Tamarindo’s most spectacular scenery, all while enjoying the pinnacle of modern elegance and relaxation.
This ocean-view estate offers two private pools that frame year-round sunsets over the Pacific – the perfect backdrop for any occasion, whether it’s an intimate holiday or toasting an elegant Christmas feast. Indoors, an open design floods each space with light and stunning views, while tranquil outdoor nooks are ideal for yoga or ocean-view massages.
Royal Estates goes beyond beautiful spaces with a dedicated house staff providing breakfast, cocktail prep, cleaning, and laundry services, so you can fully relax and enjoy the surroundings. Minutes from Tamarindo Beach and vibrant town life, Royal Estates promises an unrivaled experience of sophistication and tropical charm.
Villa Estrella Azul
Playa Langosta | 8 Beds | 6 Baths | 18 Guests
When you want the privacy and exclusivity of luxury villa with the amenities of a private boutique hotel, Villa Estrella Azul answers with an eight-bedroom, expansive villa just a two-minute walk to the beach. And not just any beach, but Tamarindo’s most stunning stretch of pristine sands and lapping surf…
This incredible home welcomes you to total pampered luxury – to an oasis of white-and-blue décor that immediately puts you in a beach state of mind. To open design, indoor-outdoor living, and entertainment spaces that welcome gathering and celebration. To a gourmet, chef’s-ready kitchen, gas grill, and a brick pizza oven by the pool.
To an abundance of windows blend indoors and out, inviting you to wander out to the custom infinity pool and then in, to the spectacular dining table, out to the open-air yoga pavilion and terrace and then, in (and up) to the rooftop terrace and sun porch. And then, there are the breezy balconies with sleeping pergolas, designed for evenings under the stars… Because here, at the “Blue Star” Villa, not even the sky’s the limit.
Villa Brisa del Mar
Playa Grande | 5 Beds | 4 Baths | 10 Guests
Can you imagine spending Christmas within a wildlife sanctuary? You can do just that at Villa Brisa del Mar, your own private nature reserve bordering a national park and one of the world’s most important turtle nesting habitats. Yes, dreams do come true!
The last house on the beach and wonderfully quiet, Villa Brisa del Mar (“Sea Breeze Villa”) pairs a private pool with possible turtle sightings and an ocean-view patio with swooping pelicans, gulls, and other sea birds. Grab a cold drink and just sit out here. Enjoy this incomparable slice of life – and of the world – and luxuriate in the unique offerings of a nature-based Costa Rica spring break.
Because this villa is one of the area’s original beach bungalows, now updated, it offers a perfect pairing of Costa Rican charms of old with the modern aesthetics of today. We’re talking a chef-ready kitchen, a spectacular master suite, and recently redesigned interiors, complemented by incredible views, a touch of seclusion, and iguanas as your neighbors.
Plan Christmas in Costa Rica & Stay at Our Costa Rica Vacation Properties with Private Chef
For a country smaller than West Virginia, Costa Rica is vast and our holiday options are many.
So really, it begins with you: How do you define luxury? What are you most looking forward to? What’s important to you in your accommodations? What do you want to see and do while here? And where do you want to go?
At LVCR, we have two specialties: Planning the best things to do in Costa Rica with family and you. Yes, you. Because a great vacation is rooted in heart – in what you and your group hope to get out of your travels. So please, tell us why you’ve chosen Costa Rica and what you dream for your holiday travel. If you don’t know exactly where you want to go, even if you haven’t whittled down your wish list, we can help. We love to help.
So please, peruse our Costa Rica destinations. Dream a little (and a lot). And then, get in touch! We look forward to it.
