Public holidays
Costa Rica: 9 public holiday dates in 2026 (9 days off) and 9 in 2027 (9 days off), with 255 working days in 2026 and 257 in 2027. National holidays only: regional ones are not included.
| Date | ISO week | Holiday | Day off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 1 January 2026 | 2026-W01 | New Year's Day | Yes |
| Thursday 2 April 2026 | 2026-W14 | Maundy Thursday | Yes |
| Friday 3 April 2026 | 2026-W14 | Good Friday | Yes |
| Saturday 11 April 2026 | 2026-W15 | Juan Santamaría Day | Yes |
| Friday 1 May 2026 | 2026-W18 | International Labor Day | Yes |
| Saturday 25 July 2026 | 2026-W30 | Annexation of the Party of Nicoya to Costa Rica | Yes |
| Saturday 15 August 2026 | 2026-W33 | Mother's Day | Yes |
| Tuesday 15 September 2026 | 2026-W38 | Independence Day | Yes |
| Friday 25 December 2026 | 2026-W52 | Christmas Day | Yes |
| Date | ISO week | Holiday | Day off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 1 January 2027 | 2026-W53 | New Year's Day | Yes |
| Thursday 25 March 2027 | 2027-W12 | Maundy Thursday | Yes |
| Friday 26 March 2027 | 2027-W12 | Good Friday | Yes |
| Sunday 11 April 2027 | 2027-W14 | Juan Santamaría Day | Yes |
| Saturday 1 May 2027 | 2027-W17 | International Labor Day | Yes |
| Sunday 25 July 2027 | 2027-W29 | Annexation of the Party of Nicoya to Costa Rica | Yes |
| Sunday 15 August 2027 | 2027-W32 | Mother's Day | Yes |
| Wednesday 15 September 2027 | 2027-W37 | Independence Day | Yes |
| Saturday 25 December 2027 | 2027-W51 | Christmas Day | Yes |
| Holiday | 2026 | 2027 | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maundy Thursday | Thursday 2 April 2026 | Thursday 25 March 2027 | −8 days, changes month |
| Good Friday | Friday 3 April 2026 | Friday 26 March 2027 | −8 days, changes month |
A shift ignores the year: +19 days means 19 days later in the calendar.
| Month | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21 | 20 | −1 |
| February | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| March | 22 | 21 | −1 |
| April | 20 | 22 | +2 |
| May | 20 | 21 | +1 |
| June | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| July | 23 | 22 | −1 |
| August | 21 | 22 | +1 |
| September | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| October | 22 | 21 | −1 |
| November | 21 | 22 | +1 |
| December | 22 | 23 | +1 |
| Q1 | 63 | 61 | −2 |
| Q2 | 62 | 65 | +3 |
| Q3 | 65 | 65 | 0 |
| Q4 | 65 | 66 | +1 |
| Year | 255 | 257 | +2 |
Weekdays by the local weekend (Sunday and Saturday), minus the public holidays most people have off.
The first day of the calendar year in the Gregorian calendar, 1 January. Cultures and religions that follow a lunisolar or lunar calendar celebrate their New Year at other points of the year. Japan celebrates New Year on 1 January, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, instead of with the Chinese calendar that was in use until 1873.
At work: Fine to mention, and a natural moment to wish colleagues well.
The Thursday before Easter, which commemorates the Last Supper and Jesus washing his disciples' feet. It begins the Paschal Triduum, the three days before Easter.
At work: A day off in several countries, and the start of the Easter break.
A solemn Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus, observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum. It falls on the Friday immediately before Easter Sunday.
At work: Fine to mention the long weekend. It is a sombre day for those who observe it, so avoid "Happy Good Friday". Its date moves every year with Easter, so check the calendar when planning spring deadlines.
11 April honours Juan Santamaría, a hero of the battle against the North American filibuster William Walker in 1856.
At work: Very welcome to mention. A day off.
International Workers' Day, on 1 May, honours workers and the labour movement. The date was chosen to commemorate the 1886 general strike in the United States that culminated in the Haymarket affair, and the day was adopted in support of a "great international demonstration" for the eight-hour day.
At work: Fine to mention the day off. In some countries it has a political side, so keep it about the break.
25 July celebrates the annexation of the Party of Nicoya in 1824.
At work: Very welcome to mention. A day off.
A day to honour mothers. The date differs by country: in the United States it is the second Sunday of May, in Lithuania the first Sunday of May, in Latvia and Samoa the second Sunday of May, and in Madagascar the last Sunday of May. Other countries tie it to another day: Costa Rica to 15 August (the Assumption of Mary), Panama to 8 December (the Immaculate Conception), Syria to the spring equinox, and Georgia to 3 March. Tajikistan celebrates it on 8 March, with International Women's Day.
At work: Very welcome to mention. Check which day the colleague celebrates, since it is not the same everywhere; the card shows the date.
Marks 15 September 1821, the Act of Independence of Central America, when the region declared independence from Spain. A torch of independence is carried by relays of students from Guatemala to Costa Rica every September, and schools hold parades with bands.
At work: Very welcome to mention. A day off.
Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on 25 December. Eastern Christian Churches that follow the older Julian calendar celebrate it on 25 December of that calendar, which currently corresponds to 7 January. It is a public holiday in many countries, and many non-Christians celebrate it culturally too.
At work: Widely welcome to mention. Plan important meetings before the break. If you're unsure whether someone celebrates it, "Happy holidays" is a safe choice.
Open Costa Rica in TimeBento, next to the other places you work with.