What to do this Weekend in Costa Rica

Written by Claire

A young girl enjoys her town’s fiestas patronales in Costa Rica.
There are plenty of activities planned this weekend in Costa Rica.

I noticed that this weekend is packed with events throughout the country, so I thought I would do a quick summary of everything that might be of interest to our readers. From flower shows to surf tournaments to some exciting concert series, there’s no excuse not to get out and do something this weekend! (March 14 to 16)

March 14-16: National Orchid Exposition at the Costa Rican Tennis Club on the south end of La Sabana Park. See why Costa Rica is the reigning World Champion of Orchids. The exposition will include informative presentations, literature, speakers, orchid displays and orchids for sale. This blog has more information about the Orchid Expo.

March 14-16: Fiestas Patronales in honor of San Jose (Saint Joseph). Three days of parties directed toward the children in the community of Palmira, Alajuela will commence with a children’s parade at 3pm this afternoon. The next two days will have activities starting at 11:30am including a pony parade, clown performance, a cattle show and even a mini-disco for children.

March 14 – 16: Guanafest 2008 is a three day concert series that will take place in Santa Cruz, Guanacaste at the La Yuna restaurant. The event began in 2008 and was solely open to groups from Guanacaste. ranging from reggae to salsa to rock. This year, invitees Son de Tikizia and Mekatelyu are the first groups to perform from outside the region. On Friday, the guest performers include: Raskka Vibration y Mekatelyu. Saturday will see performances by LuisGa , Carlos Yayo Martínez, Olman Briceño, Son Matiz and Los de la Bajura, and Sunday will see Nacaome and salsa favorites Son de Tikizia.

March 15: Festival Mundoloco 2008 Featuring Steel Pulse, a reggae group from England, and 19 other artists, this annual festival has recently jumped in popularity and several thousand people are expected to turn out for the 4th edition. This jam fest in the woods will host a wide variety of music genres including celtic, indigenous, african, experimental and death rock. Many of the performers are regulars at the Jazz Cafe in San Pedro, San Jose. For the entire list of bands, go here.

The Festival will take place from 10am Saturday morning till 2am Sunday, in Monte Pizote, 5km east from Cristo de Sabanilla, San Ramón de Tres Ríos. For more information about bus service to the event call 273-7320. Entrance fee is 8,000 colones ($16). Outside food and drink are not allowed.

March 15: Super Cross Latinoamericano Motorcycle stunt men from all over Latin America will compete against each other at the Ricardo Saprissa Stadium this Saturday starting at 7pm. Entrance fees start at around $22.

March 15-16: 5th National Surf Circuit Event This 4-star event will be held in Playa Carmen starting at 7am on Saturday and Sunday, when the winners will be crowned along with the next two finalists for the Miss Organic & Natural competition. Over 250 surfers are expected to compete including the newly elected National Surf Team that will be traveling to Panama next weekend to participate in the 3rd Central American Surf Championship.

March 16: La Liga vs. Saprissa game called El Clasico Nacional will take place this Sunday at La Liga’s Alejandro Morera Soto Stadium in Alajuela. See La Liga take on their biggest rivals Saprissa, looking to get their first victory having lost the past 7 or so matches.

March 16: Palm Sunday The first main even of Holy Week, Palm Sunday is celebrated in Catholic and Christian churches throughout the world in commemoration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem before his crucifixion. His worshipers threw palms before his feet to cover his path as a sign of respect. Today a church service is held recounting the day’s events and attendees are usually given symbolic palm branches.

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