Celebrating Christmas in Costa Rica

One of the most important aspects of Christmas in Costa Rica is family, and families gather together to celebrate, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional meals, like tamales. Music is also an essential part of Christmas, with carolers singing traditional Christmas songs in the streets.

San José, the capital city of Costa Rica, offers a great experience with Christmas lights and decorations, Christmas-themed performances, and traditional treats, while Guanacaste or Central Pacific beaches offer a perfect beach getaway during Christmas.

If you spend Christmas Eve in Costa Rica, don’t be surprised by the sounds of a fiesta happening nearby or the amount of fireworks, it’s how the locals celebrate Christmas!

Festive season is one of the most popular times of year to visit Costa Rica, and you may run into some crowds while getting here, or being out and about. Travel industry refers to this period aspeak season, which typically starts around December 16 and lasts until around January 6th.

If crowds are not your cup of tea, and holidays are the only time you can come, there are plenty of off-the-beaten-path places to stay, and towns that you can explore. Montezuma, Samara, and other small towns on the Nicoya Peninsula are great options that don't see as much tourism as the more popular spots like Tamarindo, La Fortuna, or Manuel Antonio. And if you're looking to completely disconnect, remote and secluded places like Rafiki Safari Lodge, Rio Perdido or Pacuare are a great option for you.

What is peaking at this time of the year—beside the crowds—are rates for lodging.There's no going around it—established hotels and rentals are taking advantage of high demand during Christmas. If your budget is limited, and you start planning on time, you may get lucky on getting good options, but that’s rare. Consider coming during summer or fall, when you can get the best bang for your buck—deals with two or three complimentary nights, and basically private guided tours.

Hot with high prices, and hot as in selling out as hot cakes. If you're embarking on your first holiday travel adventure, you may be taken aback by the limited availability of accommodations early in the year. Surprisingly, some hotels sell out immediately after they begin accepting holiday reservations. This is especially true if you require multiple rooms or are part of a larger group. That's why planning early is essential. Even daily activities and tours can get booked up quickly.

Take a deep breath and relax! You’ve got this.

Having the help of an agent taking care of all the details of finding availability can make a difference. Why? In a complex world of advanced negotiations and relationships that run for decades in the travel industry, agencies often have access rooms that you wouldn't be able to secure on your own.

So even if you are checking a specific hotel and they are not showing any availability, by speaking to an agent, they can confirm the true status and also make suggestions of alternative options that you wouldn’t know about.

Once you settle on the destinations you’re visiting on your trip, and book your stay, you want to lock in your preferred tours or activities, too. Trust me, you don't want to arrive, settle in your hotel, only to find out everything is already fully booked.

Tour operators that have experienced guides, drivers, and other support staff are aplenty, but not unlimited, especially during a season with high demand. Placing reservations early will ensure you have a wonderful time, once you land in Costa Rica.

Your reservations can be held by only 10% if booking as early as six months out, and interest-free installmentshelp you pay for your vacation without stress - you'll barely feel it!

December is usually a great time to visit as rainfall is limited. However, if you're planning to visit the rainforest, keep in mind that there's always a chance of rain. But don't worry, that just means everything will be even more green and lush!