What Are Bank Holidays in Costa Rica?
In Costa Rica, what we might call ‘bank holidays’ in the UK are known as ‘feriados públicos’ or public holidays. These are official non-working days when government offices, banks, schools, and many businesses close. There are typically around 10 to 12 such days each year, including fixed dates and movable ones tied to Easter. Unlike the UK, where substitute holidays often shift weekend dates to weekdays, Costa Rican holidays stick to their calendar dates—even if they fall on weekends—with no automatic day off in lieu.
For UK travellers planning a 2026 visit, understanding these feriados is crucial. Popular tourist spots like beaches in Guanacaste or the rainforests of Manuel Antonio may stay open, but expect reduced hours, crowds during festivals, or transport disruptions. With direct flights from London to San José taking about 11 hours, timing your trip around these dates can make all the difference.
Full List of Costa Rica Bank Holidays 2026
Here’s the complete, accurate list of Costa Rica’s public holidays for 2026. We’ve included the day of the week for easy planning:
| Date | Holiday Name | Day of Week |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo) | Thursday |
| 2 April | Maundy Thursday (Jueves Santo) | Thursday |
| 3 April | Good Friday (Viernes Santo) | Friday |
| 11 April | National Heroes’ Day | Saturday |
| 1 May | Labour Day (Día del Trabajo) | Friday |
| 25 July | Guanacaste Day (Anexión de Guanacaste) | Saturday |
| 2 August | Our Lady of the Angels Day | Sunday |
| 15 August | Mother’s Day (Día de la Madre) | Saturday |
| 15 September | Independence Day | Tuesday |
| 25 December | Christmas Day (Navidad) | Friday |
These dates are confirmed based on the official Costa Rican calendar. Note that Holy Week (Semana Santa) features the two biggest holidays: Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, falling in early April 2026—perfect timing if you’re reading this in April context.
Easter Bank Holidays in Costa Rica 2026
Easter, or Semana Santa, is the most significant holiday period in Costa Rica. In 2026, Maundy Thursday (2 April) and Good Friday (3 April) are both national holidays. Many Costa Ricans head to the Pacific coast for beach processions, parties, and religious events, leading to heavy traffic from San José.
Expect:
- All banks, government offices, and most shops closed.
- Supermarkets and tourist restaurants may open partially.
- No mail service or public transport on Good Friday.
- Increased prices for hotels due to domestic tourism.
If you’re a UK traveller, this overlaps with UK Good Friday (3 April) and Easter Monday (6 April, except Scotland). Ideal for a combined Easter break, but book flights and car rentals early—Liberia Airport (LIR) gets busy.
Key Summer and Autumn Holidays
Labour Day (1 May 2026)
A Friday off for workers’ rights celebrations. Parades in San José; quieter in rural areas. Great for eco-lodges, but urban services halt.
Guanacaste Day (25 July 2026)
Honours the 1824 annexation of Guanacaste province. Festivals, rodeos, and ox-cart parades in Liberia and Nicoya. Popular with surfers at Tamarindo—expect lively vibes but closed banks.
August Holidays
Both 2 August (Virgen de los Ángeles, a pilgrimage day to Cartago) and 15 August (Mother’s Day, tied to the Assumption) fall on weekends in 2026. Minimal disruption, but Cartago sees massive crowds on the 2nd.
Independence Day (15 September 2026)
A Tuesday fiesta with fireworks, parades, and school marching bands nationwide. Torch runs from Nicaragua border. Vibrant but noisy—perfect for cultural immersion.
Christmas (25 December 2026)
Family-focused with posadas (parties) from mid-December. Friday closure means a long weekend; airports busier with returning expats.
Costa Rica Bank Holidays 2026 vs UK Bank Holidays 2026
As a UK-focused guide, here’s how Costa Rica’s feriados stack up against 2026 UK bank holidays (sourced from official gov.uk data). This helps British expats, remote workers, or holidaymakers align trips:
UK Bank Holidays 2026 (All Nations unless noted):
- New Year’s Day: Thursday 1 January (all UK)
- 2 January: Friday (Scotland only)
- Good Friday: Friday 3 April (all UK)
- Easter Monday: Monday 6 April (England, Wales, NI; not Scotland)
- Early May: Monday 4 May (all UK)
- Spring: Monday 25 May (all UK)
- Summer (Scotland): Monday 3 August
- Summer (England, Wales, NI): Monday 31 August
- St Andrew’s Day: Monday 30 November (Scotland)
- Christmas: Friday 25 December; Boxing Day substitute: Monday 28 December
Key Comparisons:
- Overlap: New Year’s Day and Good Friday align perfectly—double bank holiday bonus!
- Easter: CR skips Easter Monday; UK has it (except Scotland).
- May: CR’s Labour Day (Fri 1 May) precedes UK’s Early May Monday.
- Summer: CR’s August weekends vs UK’s late August Monday (E/W/NI).
- December: CR only Christmas (no Boxing); UK shifts to 28 Dec Monday.
- Scotland extras (2 Jan, 3 Aug, 30 Nov) have no CR equivalent.
Costa Rica has fewer holidays (10 vs UK’s 8-10 regionally) but intense cultural ones. No August bank holiday equivalent, but Guanacaste Day fills the gap for beach lovers.
Travel Tips for UK Visitors During Costa Rica Holidays
Best Times to Visit
Avoid Holy Week and Independence Day for peace; embrace Guanacaste Day for fiestas. Shoulder seasons (April-May, Sep-Nov) offer deals post-holidays.
What Closes?
Banks, post offices, pharmacies (outside tourist zones). ATMs may run dry—carry USD cash (accepted widely). Taxis and Ubers run, but book ahead.
Getting There from the UK
British Airways and Iberia fly direct to San José (SJO). For Guanacaste, use Liberia (LIR). Check EasyJet holidays for packages. Visa-free for UK passports (90 days).
Driving and Transport
Rent 4x4s for rural spots; holidays mean pothole-filled roads busier. Buses (e.g., TransMonteverde) skip some routes.
For Families and Remote Workers
Schools close for Semana Santa—family peak. Co-working in Escazú open, but power outages possible.
Weather Note for 2026
April: Dry season end, perfect 28°C. Watch for ‘veranillo’ (little summer) post-Easter.
Planning Your Itinerary Around Feriados
Sample 2-week trip:
- Arrive post-Easter (7 April), hit Arenal Volcano.
- Labour Day weekend: Pacific beaches.
- Skip September 15; focus October sloth spotting.
Budget: Holidays inflate costs 20-30%. Use Booking.com for flexible stays.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do Costa Rica bank holidays affect flights?
Rarely—airports operate. But queues longer.
Are expat services open?
UK-style pubs in Tamarindo? Yes, often.
COVID rules in 2026?
Check gov.uk/FCDO; currently minimal.
Weekend holidays observed?
No substitutes—enjoy the extra beach time!
This guide ensures your 2026 Costa Rica adventure dodges closures while embracing ‘Pura Vida’. Total words: approx 1050. Bookmark for updates!