Costa Rica Events and Festivals

4/11/2009 - 4/11/2009Juan Santamaria Day

Costa Rica's national hero is one Juan Santamaria. A barefooted 19-year old soldier, he for his country in 1856 in a battle against the self-serving adventurer William Walker and his army of mercenaries. The precise details of his deeds are sketchy (Sarmiento is believed to have volunteered to set fire to the building to which Walker retreated, but was himself killed in the process), but there is no doubt about the heroic status of the boy soldier. The day of his death is a national holiday and the days leading up to it are celebrated throughout the land with marching bands, parades, concerts, and dances. The festivities are widespread but take place especially in the city of Alajuela.