Día de los Muertos 2025 in Costa Rica

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is one of the most popular cultural festivals in Latin America. In Costa Rica, as in other Central American countries, Dia de los Muertos, or All Souls' Day, is celebrated with a distinctive approach. Rather than adopting the typically mournful tone associated with Christian observances of the day, Latin Americans celebrate the lives of the departed. Instead of focusing on the sadness of their passing, they honor and rejoice in their past existence. Consequently, All Souls' Day in the region is a much more joyous and colorful occasion compared to its European origins.

Traditional Celebrations

Although Dia de los Muertos is more widely celebrated in other Latin American countries, Costa Ricans also honor the deceased by visiting cemeteries where their loved ones are buried and decorating grave sites with flowers and candles. Altars are set up in homes as a mark of respect for the dead, and families spend the day visiting and adorning graves at local cemeteries. In recent years, the popularity of Dia de los Muertos in Costa Rica has led to a growing number of festive events.

Locations

If you’re in San José on November 2nd, consider visiting the Calvary Central Cemetery to join in the annual Dia de los Muertos celebrations. The festivities typically feature music, dance, food, arts and crafts, and activities for children. At Cementerio General in San José, you can witness the creative ways Costa Ricans honor their departed loved ones.

Katrinas Fest (November 2-3, 2024)

In Costa Rica, Dia de los Muertos is not typically celebrated with parades or carnival-like festivities. However, in 2019, San José hosted its inaugural Katrinas Fest. Held over two days in the Chinatown district of San José (Parque Nacional San José), the festival features Mexican-style celebrations, entertainment, and cuisine. With over 14 restaurants participating, the event offers a variety of food, pastries, and sweets. Visitors can enjoy artisan markets, workshops, and live music from 11 am to 7 pm.

History of Día de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos originated in Mesoamerica over 3,000 years ago and has evolved through various transformations. Before the arrival of the Spanish in the 1500s, indigenous Latin American cultures dedicated an entire month to commemorating their ancestors. After the conversion to Christianity, these traditions were blended with the Christian celebration of All Saints' Day, observed on November 1. This fusion created the festival we now recognize as Dia de los Muertos, typically celebrated on November 1 and 2.