Halloween is celebrated in some Costa Rican neighborhoods, schools and businesses, while October 31 is also the Día Nacional de la Mascarada Tradicional Costarricense. They share a date, but a traditional mascarada has its own cultural meaning. For newcomers, the best approach is to find out what a particular community or organizer is offering.
What to expect from Halloween celebrations
In its October 31, 2025 advisory, Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Works and Transport described costume activities in neighborhoods, educational centers and businesses, including shopping centers, bars and nightclubs. It also discussed children going out for sweets. This documents a range of celebrations; it does not mean every neighborhood participates or that a particular event repeats each year.
Ask your school, building administrator, neighbors or host about local arrangements. Confirm whether an activity is public, invitation-only, intended for children or restricted to adults. Do not assume door-to-door trick-or-treating is organized everywhere.
October 31 and Costa Rica’s mascarada tradition
The National Museum’s cultural explanation identifies October 31 as the national day of the traditional mascarada. It describes costumed characters known as mantudos and payasos appearing in community festivities and dancing to cimarrona music. The tradition also appears at celebrations outside October, including local and religious festivities.
The museum explains that the traditional mascarada became a national symbol in 2022. Calling it simply “Costa Rican Halloween” overlooks the craft, music and community history that give it meaning. Visitors can enjoy Halloween activities while also taking time to learn about the local tradition.
Look closely at the mask-making craft
A display offers a quieter opportunity to appreciate individual characters and ask about the maker’s work. The historical photographs here show actual masks, not an invented current parade. The paired elderly characters below illustrate one example of the variety in a collection.
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Ask permission before handling a mask or photographing a person at close range. When buying a piece, ask the seller about the maker, materials and how to transport it. Treat the work as a craft with an identifiable creator, rather than assuming all masks have the same origin.
Characters can be playful or unsettling
The witch mask below was photographed in Aserrí in 2013. A dramatic face may fascinate some children and frighten others. Before attending with younger family members, ask about costumes, crowd size and noise, and choose a place where you can step away comfortably.
Plan a safer evening
MOPT’s 2025 advice emphasizes adult supervision, attention around vehicles, and costumes that do not obstruct vision or movement. Drivers should remove masks, slow down around pedestrians and avoid phone distractions. A spontaneous street activity does not establish that the road is closed to traffic.
- Agree on a meeting point and a way to contact each other.
- Arrange the journey home before going out.
- Check the event’s location, admission rules and finish time directly.
- Keep your phone away while crossing streets.
- For children, choose a manageable route and an accompanying adult.
Finding this year’s activities
Check the Ministry of Culture’s agenda, municipal announcements and the organizer’s own page. Verify the year as well as the date: an old festival listing is useful background, not a booking confirmation. This article does not present a confirmed 2026 events schedule.
For related planning, read our cultural etiquette guide and nighttime safety guide.
Reviewed September 7, 2026. Cultural background is based on the National Museum’s 2024 material; safety guidance cites MOPT’s dated 2025 advisory. The photographs are historical and credited individually.