Costa Rican History: Juan Santamaría Day

Today, April 11, marks the 159th anniversary of the death of Juan Santamaría, a national hero in Costa Rica.  It is said that he set fire to the building where William Walker's troops were located and while it caused great damage to the efforts of Walker's troops to take over Central America, Juan Santamaría died in the process.

To honor this man effort's against William Walker, Costa Rica declared this day a national holiday.  Many businesses, government agencies and schools will be closed today.  There are also parades and sometimes reenactments of the fire.

Costa Rica's airport in Alajuela, near San Jose, is named after him and there is a statue of him in Juan Santamaría park in Alajuela as well.

You will feel right at home at our beachfront Bed and Breakfast located near Tamarindo, Costa Rica.