Semana Santa in Costa Rica

Costa Rica, like so many countries in Latin America, is predominantly Catholic and therefore chok full of religious and folkloric holidays. One of the most anticipated holy celebrations of the year is Easter or Semana Santa, it commemorates the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.

During this week in Costa Rica an infectious atmosphere of reconciliation, joy and fiesta is at a high. Many head towards the beautiful and sunny beaches of both coasts, so don't be surprised by the take over of pale in-land tico families that seem to magically appear over night. The pilgims normally travel in large groups, and they are refered to in good fun by the beach town locals, as "come-huevos" or "egg eaters" in english this is in reference to the food provision (including hard boiled eggs hence the monicker) with which they travel.

The most popular destinations are Jaco, Tamarindo, Montezuma, Santa Teresa, Dominical and the only little less known beaches on the Caribbean side. If your on any of these beaches at this time of year , you will more than likely stumble upon a sacred procession or two (or it may stumble upon you).

In the capital and the surrounding areas processions of greater magnitude happen, like the famous procession of the Templo de Llorente of San Joaquin de Flores in Heredia, which is broadcasted on one of the national television stations traditionally, which can only be compared to the north american macy's thanksgiving day parade (this charming little town even has its own Facebook page).

Another parade of equal proportions is the one in Tres Rios in Cartago provence. If you are already in Tres Rios don't waste your chance to visit La Piedra del Encanto (the Stone of Encanto), there in the slopes covered by coffee plantations and forests is a place that has given a foot to myths and legends of magical beings and tales of forbidden love, a more popular one containing all these themes is the story of a beautiful maiden of spanish descent and the son of Indian caciques.

This time is also a feast of traditional culinary delight, classic dishes feature fish and kidney bean tomales, whipped potatoe tomales, roasted heart of palm and hearty codfish soup to stimulate the pallet and sustain you through the festive hours. A typical drink that will not be in short supply at any of these festivals is 'chicha', a powerful, throat warming drink that is made from fermented corn, clove and cinnamon (i know but try it).

So if you are already enjoying the beaches or happen to be anywhere in Costa rica I invite you to take a few days off for a colorful adventure (and a cultural must) to seek out these places of vivid tradition and belief. So please allow yourself to let loose and drop any preconcieved notions before experiencing the local color and flavor because the "pura vida" (pure life) of this country is it's complex simplicity which is contained in the heart of its people and in the whirl of its holy festivals and feasts; the lush landscapes fill not only the eyes but also the soul of all who participate in the cultural events of the great week forever binding us all in an unspoken vow to return again and again. I can't think of a better way to end this piece than to allow the spirit of this week to speak for itself in all it's richness, it's own language, in a folk tale the very one I mentioned earlier. Enjoy and feliz Semana Santa!
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