viernes, 25 de julio de 2014

Guanacaste Day: Celebrating the Annexation of Guanacaste




Prior to 1824, Guanacaste was part of Nicaragua.  Due to the many active civil wars in Nicaragua at that time, the residents of Guanacaste wanted to be annexed to Costa Rica. The Central American Federation said yes to their request, and Guanacaste was annexed to Costa Rica. The people of Guanacaste take great pride in being part of Costa Rica. Their annexation by choice is celebrated for its core values of democracy each year with a nationwide holiday. The celebration is huge, especially in our Guanacaste province. All banks, schools, post offices and government offices as well as other commercial centers close for this holiday celebration. Annually on July 25th, all of Costa Rica celebrates Guanacaste Day. 

The celebrations include parades, folk dances, music, showing cattle and other activities. Rodeos are also typical of the holiday celebration. However these rodeos are not like the bullfights in Spain...Tico style of bullfighting does not include killing the bull. It is about young men teasing the bull or cow without any weapons, just having fun and for the sport. 

Similar to festivals around the world the streets are filled with vendors of local handicrafts and local foods. Concerts, fireworks and folk dances are also part of the celebrations. The most popular dances are Caballito Nicoyano and the Punto Guanacasteco, old historical folk dances. The festivities include the local children and most of the parades are children dressed in costumes and masks, having much fun.  The music includes the playing of Costa Rica's national instrument, the marimba. 

Interested in participating in the events?  Let us know and we'll be happy to direct you to a local festival nearby!

Our beachfront hotel in Playa Langosta is the perfect setting for your next Costa Rica vacation.




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