New Year's Eve 2024-2025 in Costa Rica

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.

New Year's Eve Traditions

Similar to how Spaniards believe that wearing red underwear on New Year's Eve brings love, Costa Ricans choose to opt for yellow undergarments, which are said to attract fortune in the upcoming year. Depending on what you'd like to experience during the New Year, you can also wear green underwear for money and red for love. To maximize the effect, consider hanging these colors on your entryway. Another peculiar tradition consists of Costa Ricans carrying a suitcase at midnight, which is said to bring more travel to your life.

Beach Parties in Tamarindo and Other Beaches

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. Driving is not recommended since the roads turn into pedestrian hubs and are filled to the brim with partygoers.

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 the Sailing Center. Other good options include Santa Teresa beaches, where most hotels offer their own celebrations or gala dinners.

New Year's Eve in San Jose

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. Fireworks are usually launched all throughout the Costa Rican Central Valley, so consider finding a spot higher up to enjoy the spectacle. Some restaurants like Mirador Tiquicia offer New Year's Eve dinners, perfect to meet the upcoming year.