Guanacaste Day in Costa Rica
Guanacaste Day is observed every July 25 across Costa Rica, with the strongest celebrations in Guanacaste, especially Nicoya and Liberia. It commemorates the 1824 decision by Nicoya’s municipal council to join Costa Rica and is a paid public holiday under Costa Rican labor law.[1][2][3]
The 1824 decision
The holiday recalls the incorporation of the Partido de Nicoya into Costa Rica. On July 25, 1824, Nicoya’s municipal council met in an open council and decided to join the State of Costa Rica. The meeting record describes the expected benefits in trade, administration and public order, and notes that Santa Cruz’s municipality shared Nicoya’s position.[3]
This was a decision made in the context of the Federal Republic of Central America. The surviving account describes the choice of Nicoya and Santa Cruz; it does not support the simplified claim that a single referendum by all the region’s towns settled the matter that day. The date is remembered as a formative event in Costa Rica’s territory and national identity.[2][3]
How Costa Rica marks the day
July 25 is a national holiday, but the Costa Rica Tourism Board says it is celebrated more extensively in Guanacaste, particularly in Nicoya and Liberia. The observance highlights the region’s contribution to Costa Rican culture, rather than marking an international holiday tradition.[2]
The Tourism Board describes Guanacaste’s cultural heritage through traditional dances, including Punto Guanacasteco and El Torito, and music associated with the province. It also lists foods and drinks made with corn, such as tortillas, tanelas, corn rice, pinol and chicheme. These are regional cultural traditions; check local listings for details of each July 25 programme.[2]
Holiday status and work
Costa Rica’s Labour Code lists July 25 as a paid public holiday. It also says civic and educational commemorations for the date are to take place nationally in schools and colleges on the day itself, and that neither the commemoration nor the holiday is moved to another weekday.[1]
The Code says employers generally may not require workers to work on public holidays, while allowing exceptions for certain continuous or public-interest work and allowing specified businesses, including hotels, restaurants and public entertainment venues, to remain open under applicable rules. If you work or need a particular service, confirm arrangements directly with the employer or provider.[1]
Planning a visit
Nicoya and Liberia are the places the national tourism authority identifies as especially associated with July 25 celebrations. Guanacaste also has local food markets, including in those two towns, where visitors can find regional dishes and drinks. Check opening hours with individual banks and shops, and check transport details with operators before travelling.[2]
Frequently asked questions
When is Guanacaste Day?
Is Guanacaste Day a paid day off?
It is a paid public holiday under Costa Rica’s Labour Code. The Code generally protects workers from being required to work on a public holiday, subject to specified exceptions.[1]
Where are the celebrations most prominent?
The Costa Rica Tourism Board says the day is celebrated especially in Guanacaste, particularly in Nicoya and Liberia.[2]
Are banks, shops and public transport closed?
The cited law allows some businesses, including hotels and restaurants, to operate on public holidays, but these sources do not specify bank or transport schedules. Check with the service or operator you plan to use.[1]
Sources and references
Sources used for Guanacaste Day in Costa Rica:
- CÓDIGO DE TRABAJO DE COSTA RICA- Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social, Costa Rica
- Cultural Manifestations in Guanacaste- Costa Rica Tourism Board (Instituto Costarricense de Turismo)
- 25 de julio 1824: Anexión del Partido de Nicoya- Faculty of Education, University of Costa Rica