| September 15 2009 marks a special year in the | | | | that epitomize the country's agricultural heritage. |
| Costa Rica calendar, as the entire country stops | | | | In typical Tico spirit, parades are peaceful and |
| to celebrate their 188th year of independence | | | | family-orientated events that involve elderly and |
| from the Spanish Empire. | | | | young Costa Ricansas much as the adult |
| Independence Day is a major national event with | | | | party-goers. |
| parades and fiestas that can provide lifelong | | | | Downtown San Jose is host to the country's |
| memories of any Costa Rica vacations that | | | | biggest parade, while other popular Costa Rica |
| happen to coincide with this important day. | | | | travel destinations all host their own local parties, |
| Costa Rica achieved its independence along with | | | | including the small town of Santa Elena near the |
| the rest of Central America, as part of the | | | | Monteverde cloud forest and the old capital city |
| Federal Republic of Central America, governed by | | | | of Cartago. |
| Guatemala. The new republic proved to be fragile, | | | | How To Celebrate Independence Day During A |
| ungovernable and short-lived and Costa Rica soon | | | | Costa Rica Vacation |
| decided to go it alone. | | | | Independence Day is a great time to visit Costa |
| For holiday makers planning a trip to Costa Rica, | | | | Rica, when you'll be sure to catch one of the best |
| timing your vacation to match up with | | | | fiestas in the annual calendar. To have the best |
| Independence Day is sure to give a fascinating | | | | fun visitors should bear the following points in |
| perspective on this fun-loving nation in their most | | | | mind: |
| jubilant hour. | | | | - Independence Day is a national holiday and most |
| Celebrations occur up and down the entire | | | | services will be closed for the day. This includes |
| country and can last for an entire week. The | | | | banks, money changers and certain stores, |
| highlight is the arrival of the Freedom Torch which | | | | although restaurants should remain open. Don't be |
| is delivered on relay from Nicaragua on its route | | | | caught out without any cash, and make sure |
| right across Central America. | | | | you've changed enough money the previous day. |
| The night before Independence Day is marked | | | | - Most Costa Rica hotels will become booked up |
| with a series of lantern parades, marking the | | | | well in advance of the holiday, so plan ahead and |
| moment that news of independence arrived in the | | | | make your reservations early. |
| country. | | | | - Local parades are held on and around the central |
| On the big day itself, every town and village hosts | | | | plaza of any town, but in San Jose head for |
| its own parade, with participants in traditional | | | | Avenida Central, where most of the action |
| dress and marching bands playing national songs | | | | occurs. |
| which culminate in the national anthem. | | | | - Parades and fiestas are invariably peaceful and |
| Traditional food - especially the national dish of | | | | safe, but as with a large crowd in any country, |
| gallo pinto, a colorful concoction of rice and beans | | | | beware of pickpockets and keep your valuables |
| - takes pride of place, along with other national | | | | concealed. |
| symbols such as the colorfully decorated oxcarts | | | | |