Costa Rica Public Holidays: The Current Rules

Costa Rica has twelve national public holidays in 2026. Use the dates below when arranging travel, appointments and staff schedules. Holiday-pay labels need care: a day described as pago no obligatorio is not automatically unpaid for everyone.

If you are moving to Costa Rica or already live here, public holidays shape your errands, appointments and travel plans. Knowing the calendar helps you avoid closed offices and heavy traffic.

Checked against the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MTSS), 6 September 2026.

Costa Rica public holidays in 2026

The official MTSS 2026 calendar observes these dates. Do not automatically shift a weekend holiday to Monday. October 12 is absent from the current national holiday list.

How holiday pay works

Monthly pay, pay with fortnightly advances, and weekly pay in commercial activities: the regular salary includes all calendar days. All twelve holidays are therefore already paid when not worked. Working a holiday requires an additional ordinary day’s pay to bring the total to double pay.

Weekly non-commercial pay that covers only days actually worked: an unworked obligatory-pay holiday still receives an ordinary day’s pay; working it is paid double. An unworked non-obligatory-pay holiday is not paid under this arrangement, while working it receives ordinary pay.

For overtime, the applicable holiday and payment arrangement also matter. MTSS describes triple-rate overtime on obligatory-pay holidays, and on all holidays under the monthly/commercial arrangements above. For weekly non-commercial workers on a non-obligatory-pay holiday, it describes time-and-a-half overtime. Check the official payment guidance before calculating a particular payslip.

The MTSS July 2026 notice also explains why a Saturday holiday can still have pay consequences. A weekend date should not simply be dismissed as a “lost” holiday.

Can an employer require holiday work?

The general rule protects holiday rest, but there are statutory exceptions for specified activities and workplaces. The annual MTSS guidance points to Labour Code articles 150 and 151. A business should check the exception that applies to its activity rather than assume that every worker must attend, or that no exception exists.

If you employ household help or other staff, keep a written record of the agreed schedule and the correct payment arrangement. Our minimum-wage guide covers the separate question of minimum salary rates.

Planning travel and appointments around holidays

• Confirm opening hours directly. A holiday-pay classification is not a dependable guide to whether a particular bank branch, clinic, restaurant or government office will open.
• Check transport schedules. Ask the bus or ferry operator about the service for your exact travel date. See our public-transport guide.
• Separate Holy Week from the statutory holidays. In 2026, the national holiday dates are 2 and 3 April. Confirm any additional closure or vacation period with the organisation concerned.
• Check bookings before paying. Ask accommodation providers about availability, cancellation terms and check-in arrangements for holiday travel.
• Use a new calendar for a new year. Easter dates change, and future announcements can affect planning.

Mother’s Day in Costa Rica

Costa Rica observes Mother’s Day on August 15. In the official 2026 calendar it falls on Saturday and is an obligatory-pay holiday. Do not substitute the May date used in some other countries, or assume that the Saturday observance moves to Monday.

For a family visit or meal, confirm the venue’s opening hours and reservation arrangements directly. Discuss plans with the people you are celebrating rather than assuming every household follows the same custom. If you employ staff, apply the relevant holiday-pay rules above and clarify the schedule in advance.

St Patrick’s Day: a celebration, not a national public holiday

St Patrick’s Day is associated with March 17, but that date is not listed as a Costa Rican national public holiday in the 2026 MTSS calendar. A private event or themed evening does not by itself create a statutory day off.

If you want to attend a celebration, check the organizer’s current announcement for the date, venue, admission requirements and transport arrangements. An old event listing should not be treated as proof that the same party happens annually. This guide does not claim that a particular bar or community event is currently scheduled.

These two sections were checked September 8, 2026.

Making room for local celebrations

Leave some flexibility in your itinerary if you want to attend a community celebration. Confirm the organiser’s current programme, location and access arrangements rather than assuming that an event happens at the same time every year. This is particularly useful when travelling with children or anyone who needs an accessible route.

Planning to settle in Costa Rica? Contact CRIE to discuss the immigration side of your move.

What this means if you are moving to Costa Rica

Living here means planning your year around these dates, not just a single trip.

• Book appointments with the calendar in mind. Banks, government offices and clinics may change their hours around holidays. Check before you book paperwork or medical visits.
• Expect busy roads and beaches. Holy Week and long weekends bring heavy traffic to the coast. Many residents stay home or travel early and come back late.
• Get household staff pay right. If you employ a housekeeper, gardener or nanny, follow the Ministry of Labour guidance on holiday work and pay. Keep a written record of what you agree.
• Join in the local celebrations. Parades, church festivities and family gatherings are a warm way to feel part of your new town. Ask neighbours what happens locally.

Learning the rhythm of the Costa Rican year is part of feeling at home. A well-planned move, with the right residency in place, means you can relax and enjoy these days instead of rushing around them.

★ 4.6 from 69 Google reviews