Costa Ricans Embrace Festive Spirit with Unique New Year Traditions
Costa Ricans have ushered in the New Year with a blending of festive activities and traditions that extend the Christmas season's joy. Local customs light up the onset of the country's dry summer season, strengthening family bonds and community connections.
Morgan Riley
- 2023-12-30
- Updated 09:30 PM ET
(NewsNibs) - As the rainy season concludes, Costa Ricans welcome the sunny days ahead by engaging in rich cultural practices. These celebrations are deeply rooted in the importance of reuniting with family and friends. It's customary during this time to gather outdoors, where families pitch tents and relax in each other's front yards, embracing each other's company in the warm climate. These gatherings are spiced up with the preparation and sharing of traditional dishes. The culinary delights of ceviches and grilled meats are staples, often accompanied by popular drinks like cervezas and guaro, refining the communal feast.
Musical Harmony and Good Luck Rituals
Music is interwoven with the festivities, striking emotional chords among the revelers. "El Año Viejo," a traditional song sung on New Year's Eve, resonates through the celebrations, bidding farewell to the past year. Further enriching the festivities are unique traditions thought to bring luck for the upcoming year. One of these is the eating of 12 grapes at midnight. Each grape represents a different month, reflecting the people's hopes and aspirations. In a more whimsical custom, locals are seen running down the streets with suitcases, humorously wishing for a year filled with travel.
Public and private spaces alight with fireworks displays that illuminate the night sky, marking a communal tribute to the year gone by and the one to come. These pyrotechnics extend from the central towns to local neighborhoods, bringing the sky to life. As the new day begins, many people continue the celebrations at the beaches. New Year's Day is often spent in tranquility, as people bask on sandy coasts, enjoy barbeques, or just relax amongst loved ones.
The holiday festivities in Costa Rica not only highlight the country's vibrant culture but also the universal values of togetherness and appreciation of simple life moments. Through these distinctive practices, Costa Ricans reinforce their enduring embrace of the family and the shared experiences that bind their communities together.
