It’s Christmas in Costa Rica
The stores are full of it, bars and restaurants are decorated for it, and all the people are talking about it. Christmas is on its way in Costa Rica. Many parts of the country have been affected recently by high winds similar to the December “Christmas winds”, which have lowered temperatures to the upper 60s in San Jose. It may not be cold enough for snow, but it does add to the Christmas feel.
Costa Rica News — Christmas in Costa Rica
Costa Ricans have already begun to plan their shopping for next month. Between the 5th and 20th of December, stores in the country will see a surge of purchases. That is because the Costa Rican government requires that companies pay “aguinaldos” also known as the 13th month salary. This Christmas bonus amounts to the average monthly salary earned by each worker.
This year it is estimated that the private sector will pay $700 million in aguinaldos to its employees while the public sector will pay about $138 million. Both amounts have increased by an average of 15%, which is in part due to a higher employment rate.
It is also required that companies pay an aguinaldo to temporary workers who have been with them for over a month.
While this money will insure Christmas cheer for many, it also poses a security threat in the streets with large sums of cash being handled by the majority of the population. Security must be beefed up as a preventative measure, but thieves do tend to get more daring during this time of year as they know the pay off is likely to be greater.
Every year it is recommended that citizens invest their bonus, but if you have ever noticed the bi-monthly wait at the ATM machines on paydays, you might realize that that is not the tendency of Costa Ricans.
Add to that the highest level of Consumer Confidence in the past eight months, according to El Financiero’s Consumer Confidence Index, and you will find some very happy store owners stocking their shelves in preparation.
This year celebrations will begin early in Liberia on Nov. 30 with the annual White City Christmas Festival which includes a tree lighting in the central park and Christmas carols. The month of December is also full of parades with horses, marching bands and floats throughout Costa Rica in celebration of the holiday season.
| Written by Claire Saylor |  |
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Filed under: Costa Rica News on November 9th, 2007
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well the info is great…but its not really that important to some ppl cuz some ppl want to know their traditions and what they do (custom wise) before, during, and after Christmas. they need hard core info not stuff about how ppl spend their money and how long they have to save up their money to buy shit loads of toys and other stuff and who has the most money to buy the shit loads of stuff. they want to know if they have a special feast before or after…but i think I’ve told enough of what the usual high schooler researching on traditions and other stuff on Christmas in Costa Rica. I’m just throwing out ideas of what you should be giving info bout and what you shouldn’t…Christmas isn’t all bout the money…it’s bout being with your family and friends to celebrate the holiday and where it originally came from…
oh and also i enjoyed typing this
muah ha ha ha
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for your comments, I hope you do well in your high school assignment. As you see, we are a travel and Business news site, hence we place emphasis on economic related aspects of holidays.
Here’s an idea, what if when you are done with your assignment, you can email it to me and I will publish it for all our readers to learn about the things you did, like culture and such.
you can send it to webmaster@costaricapages.com
cheers,
Cyril
Is “aguinoldos” paid to hourly (12 hours per week) domestic workers?
Hi Sue,
I don’t believe they are. This year the gov’t is implementing the payment of aguinaldos to seasonal staff, but the definition of an employee in costa rica is someone who works at least 8 hours a day. When it comes to foreigners, expect to get the short end of the stick. it is definitely worth it to ask a fellow worker or your boss though! you also have to have been working at least a month to be eligible for any kind of extra compensation
this was very good te people know what they are talking about and they are right.
oops, a little late as i was out for the holidays. but actually aguinlado IS paid to domestic workers. there is a special clause in the national labor law for this. i suggest you contact your accountant and/or legal aide, alternatively you can do a google search for labor law in costa rica.