🌅 The Season of Light, Laughter, and Pura Vida
There’s something truly special about the holiday season in Guanacaste.
As December arrives, the rain fades, the skies clear, and the ocean turns that perfect shade of turquoise that makes every day feel like a postcard. Palm trees take the place of pine trees, and the sound of Christmas carols mixes with ocean waves and howler monkeys in the distance.
Here in Playa Flamingo and along the Gold Coast, the holidays aren’t about snow — they’re about sunshine, community, and gratitude for another beautiful year in paradise.
🕯️ Traditions That Shine — Costa Rican Style
The Christmas season, known as La Navidad, is one of Costa Rica’s most cherished times of year — filled with warmth, family, and faith.
Even if you’ve celebrated many holidays before, spending Christmas in Guanacaste feels like something new: familiar yet refreshingly simple.
Some of the favorite local traditions include:
- Making Tamales: A national tradition! Families gather for hours to prepare corn masa wrapped in banana leaves with seasoned pork or chicken. No Christmas in Costa Rica is complete without a tamal (or two).
- Lighting the Tree & Nativity Scene: Many homes and town squares showcase el portal, a beautifully detailed nativity scene, often with local touches like seashells and palm fronds.
- El Tope & Fiestas de Zapote: Horse parades, carnival rides, bullfights (non-lethal), and street festivals bring everyone together — a lively part of the season across the country.
- Midnight Mass (Misa de Gallo): On Christmas Eve, families dress up and attend mass, followed by dinner and music that often lasts late into the night.
By Christmas morning, you’ll find beaches filled with families picnicking, playing fútbol, and sharing tamales under the sun — proof that joy looks different in paradise.
🎆 New Year’s Eve on the Coast
If you’ve never experienced Año Nuevo in Guanacaste, you’re in for a treat.
The coast comes alive with energy — from lively beachfront restaurants in Flamingo and Potrero to vibrant fireworks displays lighting up the night sky. Locals and expats alike gather barefoot in the sand to toast the new year under the stars.
A few favorite ways to celebrate:
- Dinner and live music at Coco Loco, Angelina’s, or Hemmingways
- Fireworks over Playa Flamingo and Playa Brasilito
- Private villa gatherings with friends, neighbors, and family — complete with ocean-view champagne toasts
And don’t forget a Costa Rican tradition for good luck: running around the block with an empty suitcase to bring travel adventures in the new year!
🎨 Local Holiday Events & Festivities
This year’s holiday season is filled with artisan markets, cultural festivals, and community celebrations. Here are some of the confirmed events happening throughout December:
✨ Flamingo Night Market – Every Monday
🕒 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Flamingo
A lively weekly market featuring live music, local artists, handmade jewelry, clothing, organic spices, décor, and holiday gifts. It’s a perfect place to enjoy the warm evening air and support local artisans.
🥑 Feria La Paz – Holiday Edition
📅 Wednesday, December 3 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 La Paz Community School, Cabo Velas (Flamingo)
A family-friendly community fair offering fresh produce, artisan goods, baked items, and creative crafts. A warm, welcoming event that brings together local families and small vendors.
🌙 Wednesday Night Market – El Beach Club (Playa Grande)
📅 Wednesday, December 3 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
A popular night market held under string lights, featuring handcrafted gifts, clothing, jewelry, and delicious food vendors. A beautiful setting for holiday shopping and connecting with the community.
🎄 Temporada Navideña Santa Cruz 2025 – Christmas Festival
📍 Santa Cruz
A vibrant multi-day Christmas festival filled with music, live shows, cultural traditions, and community celebrations.
- Dec 1 — Festival Navidad de Ilusión
Parade with floats and bands, followed by a concert. - Dec 2–4 — Noches Navideñas de Tradición
Concerts, dance performances, and festive entertainment. - Dec 7 — Festival Navideño Infantil
A joyful children’s event filled with music, performances, and holiday surprises.
This is an excellent opportunity to experience Costa Rican holiday traditions in a lively and cultural setting.
🔎 Stay Updated on Local Events
For up-to-date listings of local activities, festivals, markets, classes, and community events across Flamingo, Potrero, Brasilito, Huacas, and Santa Cruz, visit:
This community calendar updates regularly and is the best place to see what’s happening each week.
🏡 From Our Flamingo Beach Family to Yours
As 2025 comes to a close, we want to thank each of you — our clients, friends, and neighbors — for another incredible year along Costa Rica’s Gold Coast.
Your trust and support are what make our work meaningful, and we’re so proud to see this community flourish with warmth, generosity, and genuine connection.
May your holidays be filled with laughter, light, and love — and may the coming year bring continued happiness, health, and success.
Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo — from all of us at Flamingo Beach Realty!
