Thanks to a warm tropical climate, Costa Rica is a popular destination to spend a New Year’s Eve. Benefiting from the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, Costa Rica boasts beautiful beaches, impressive volcanoes, and rainforests. In addition to beautiful nature, ringing in the New Year in Costa Rica means participating in vibrant parties and enjoying amazing fireworks.
Like many Central American nations, Costa Ricans take attracting good luck during New Year's Eve very seriously. Some popular superstitions include wearing yellow underwear to get rich, walking with a suitcase to travel more, and eating 12 grapes exactly at midnight. Also, no matter where you go in Costa Rica, you can count on great parties with music and dances or great entertainment, like Fiestas de Zapote.
Beach parties
Tamarindo Beach hosts possibly the most popular New Year’s Eve party in Costa Rica. Located in the famous Guanacaste region, it's ideal for surfing and swimming. During NYE, the beach gets rather crowded; however, the atmosphere is incredible, and fireworks displays are launched in the skies over the beach at midnight.
If you prefer a less crowded place, check out other beaches in Guanacaste: Conchal, Brasilito, and Flamingo. Portero Beach is another good spot to celebrate New Year's Eve. Portero boasts the fireworks over the waterfront and the party at Sailing Center. Other good options include Santa Teresa beaches, where most hotels offer their own celebrations or gala dinners.
San Jose also hosts street parties on New Year's Eve; however, most locals leave the city during the holidays and head to the coast. Meanwhile, residents of small towns near the capital flock to San Jose to see the fireworks and enjoy street festivities.
