Looking for the coolest and best festivals in Costa Rica in 2024? Well, you’ve come to the right place, as we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to Costa Rica festivals that are guaranteed to impress.
Overflowing with lush natural landscapes of mountains, rainforests, and sandy beaches, Costa Rica is easily one of the most visited travel destinations in the world. Nature lovers and adventure seekers hike to Costa Rica for cave tubing, river rafting, and more for out-of-this-world vistas and exhilarating activities.
The country was first visited by Christopher Columbus in 1502. It has since become rich in culture, history, and tourism. These are all celebrated in the numerous festivals in Costa Rica, where visitors are welcome to learn about the local culture, dance to the rhythm of the music, and be amazed at the natural beauty of this amazing location!
1) Envision Festival
Credit: Eric Allen Photography
When: March 4-11, 2024
Where: Uvita, Costa Rica
http://www.envisionfestival.com/
https://www.facebook.com/EnvisionFestival/
“A 7-day immersive experience filled with music, education, art, and a vibrant community. Envision is a catalyst for personal growth and inspiration to become the change the world needs. Celebrate life, love, community and connection to nature. Take the leap into the unknown, don’t fear change and live your life to its fullest. It all starts with you.”
Read my Envision Festival Review for an in-depth look into this jungle/beach festival oasis!
2) Labryinto Festival
When: Over NYE, 2024
Where: Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
Escape to Paradise: Celebrate the New Year in style at Costa Rica’s Labryinto Festival
“Labryinto Festival is an annual music and arts celebration held in the picturesque Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica, in its 3rd edition. The festival aims to create a one-of-a-kind experience that fuses music, art, and nature in a sustainable and innovative way.
With a diverse lineup of international artists and a commitment to environmental stewardship, Labryinto Festival has become a sought-after destination for music and art enthusiasts from around the globe. Join us as we ring in the New Year with a celebration that transcends boundaries and showcases the power of creativity and unity.”
3) Fiestas Zapote
Credit: Fiestas Zapote
When: Over New Years, 2024
Where: Zapote, Costa Rica
https://www.costarica.com/events/zapote-fiestas
https://www.facebook.com/fiestasdezapoteSJO/about
Located in a small town north of the capital city of San Jose, Fiestas Zapote attracts the best bull riders in Costa Rica to compete against one another. The event is Costa Rica’s world cup final for bull riding, so the audience can expect world-class entertainment and athleticism during this boisterous competition!
During Fiestas Zapote, there’s a world of entertainment other than bull riding. The traditional rodeo allows the audience to join in on activities in the ring and try their hand at the sport. Throughout the festival is a large fairground with rides, games, food to have fun with family and friends, live music, and dancing for a memorable time in Costa Rica.
4) Ocaso Underground Music Festival
Credit: Ocaso Underground Music Festival Costa Rica
When: January 5-6, 2024
Where: Tamarindo, Costa Rica
https://www.facebook.com/ocasofestival/
Its first festival hosted in 2017, the Ocaso Underground Music Festival, has swiftly become one of the top music festivals in Costa Rica!
Thousands of visitors travel from all over Costa Rica and the world to dance, groove, and jump to the beat of the music. Over 500 DJs are booked for the festival, redefining music in an explicitly eye-opening blood-pumping way that has continued to strengthen the festival’s popularity.
The Ocaso Underground Music Festival also emphasizes sustainability and environmental protection with a cleanup beach volunteer program and this quote they encourage visitors to follow:
“On the beach and in the sea, animals do not leave trash: humans do. Please behave like animals.”
Rave and flow to the music of reputed names in the music scene at the ultimate underground festival in Costa Rica!
5) Fiestas Palmares
Credit: Fiestas Palmares
When: January, 2024
Where: Palmares, Costa Rica
https://www.facebook.com/Palmaresoficial.cr/?locale=es_LA
One of the most popular cultural music festivals in Costa Rica, Fiestas Palmares, hits the town of Palmares soon after Fiestas Zapote finishes.
More than a million visitors travel to the festival, often said to be second to Oktoberfest with the sheer amount of beer sold. It is a rowdy, exuberant event that celebrates music, culture, tradition, and bullfighting all in one boisterous festival with loads of activities and entertainment available for attendees to participate in and enjoy.
6) Costa Rica Blues Festival
Credit: Costa Rica Blues Festival
When: TBC, 2024
Where: Guanacaste, Costa Rica
https://www.facebook.com/CostaRicaBluesFestival2011/
The Costa Rica Blues Festival’s first event was held in 2008 when the leader of the local blues band, Mo Ledezma, decided to produce his own blues festival with a group of friends. Ledezma formed his blues band in Costa Rica in 2001, the Blues Devils.
The establishment of the Costa Rica Blues Festival has succeeded in bringing talented artists from across the globe to Costa Rica to display their skills, including big names like Diunna Greenleaf, Sonny Boy Terry, and Donnie Walsh. The festival has become an accomplished event that brings tourism to the area, promotes culture, and keeps the blues alive in one outstanding, enriching celebration.
7) Limón Carnival
When: October 12, 2024
Where: Limón, Costa Rica
One of the recognized music festivals in Costa Rica, the Limón Carnival is the best way for visitors to immerse themselves in the cultures and traditions of the area.
On the first day of the festival, called the Dia de las Culturas, there is a focus on calypso, an Afro-Caribbean genre of music that originates from Tobago and Trinidad, along with dancing and singing. Different ethnicities, including indigenous and Chinese, who live in the area are recognized and celebrated.
The Limón Carnival spans a week, where colorful and feathered costumes, upbeat music, and a joyous atmosphere fill Puerto Limon. Try local cuisines, such as coconut rice and aqua de sapo, while enjoying the live music, fiestas, and parades that fill the town during Limón Carnival for an unrivaled trip.
8) Festival De La Luz
Credit: Festival De La Luz
When: December, 2024 (always the second Saturday in December)
Where: San Jose, Costa Rica
https://www.festivaldelaluz.cr/
https://www.facebook.com/festivaldelaluzcr/
The Festival De La Luz is where the best bands in the country join together alongside eye-catching floats for one of the top parades in Costa Rica!
The end-of-the-year celebration coincides with the Christmas holiday season. It craftily establishes a grand spectacle of breathtaking performances and artistic floats in a joyous atmosphere that welcomes all to join in to experience the fun.
In the 15 years of its running, the Festival De La Luz has continued to be one of the most famous festivals in Costa Rica. The event overruns the streets of the capital of Costa Rica with some of the most creative and eye-catching displays and sounds. It’s no wonder people flock to San Jose to experience the soul-touching joy of this magnanimous event!
9) BPM Festival Costa Rica
Credit: BPM Festival Costa Rica
When: January 24-28, 2024
Where: Tamarindo, Costa Rica
https://thebpmfestival.com/costa-rica/
https://www.facebook.com/thebpmfestival/
Established in 2008, the BPM Festival started in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, until it eventually became an internationally renowned music festival. The festival has extended its global reach to numerous locations, including Tamarindo, Costa Rica.
Standing for “Bartenders, Promoters, Musicians,” the BPM Festival began as a post-New Year’s gathering and celebration for industry professionals and has swiftly become one of the top music festivals in Costa Rica and the world. The festival won the award for “International Festival” in 2013 and won “Best Festival” in 2015 and was in the running as a nominee for many more.
The week-long electronic music festival can be experienced in its world-class entirety on the beautiful coast of Tamarindo. Thousands of fans travel worldwide to experience the grandness of this electric festival, and so should you!
Am I missing any epic music festivals in Costa Rica?
In the past decade, Costa Rica has become quite a popular destination for destination music festivals! If you know of any that should be added to my list of upcoming Costa Rica Festivals – please do reach out and let me know!
Looking for more music festivals around the world?
My travel blog is filled with articles just like this that will help you find some of the most fun, magical, and awesome music festivals and parties around the United States. Check out a few of my favorites below, and feel free to reach out to me and let me know about any that I’m missing!
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