A reminder that Thursday July 25 is a national holiday in Costa Rica, commemorating the 189th anniversary of the Anexión del Partido de Nicoya a Costa Rica.
The Annexation of Guanacaste Day commemorates the annexation of the province of Guanacaste to Costa Rica, which occurred in 1824 – prior to this year, Guanacaste was part of Nicaragua. Due to the fact that Nicaragua was active in many civil wars at the time, Guanacaste’s inhabitants requested to be annexed to Costa Rica. The Central American Federation approved the annexation; hence Guanacaste became a part of Costa Rica.
‘Guanacastecos’ have always been well identified with Costa Rica and take pride in being a part of this country. Proof of this is their famous slogan ‘de la patria por nuestra voluntad’, which means ‘part of this country by our own choice’. This annexation by choice celebrates Costa Rica’s core values of democracy.
The Guanacaste Day is celebrated with a nationwide public holiday and bustling celebratory activities and events, especially in the province of Guanacaste. On public holidays, all banks, government offices, post offices and other commercial centers close, thus evidencing the great importance of the Guanacaste Day.
This is a list of national holidays in Costa Rica.
- January 1: New Year Day
- Good Thursday (Holy or Great Thursday)
- Good Friday (Holy or Great Friday)
- April 11: Juan Santamaría Day (National Hero)
- May 1: Workers or Labour Day (May Day)
- July 25: Anexion de Guancaste Day
- August 2: Virgin of Los Angeles Day
- August 15: Mother´s Day
- September 15: Independence Day
- October 12: Cultures National Day
- December 25: Christmas Day
