September 15th is Independence Day in Costa Rica, and the whole country celebrates this important event with parades of bands, lanterns (faroles), the song, “Diana” (Independece Hymn), a torch relay race and other activities.

Costa Rica gained its independence from Spain on September 15th, 1821. Before it became independent, Costa Rica was Spanish territory, and Guatemala was a center of regional government. In September 1821, Guatemala declared its independence from Spain, simultaneously declaring the independence of Costa Rica as well. On September 14th, 1821, at dusk, Guatemalans gathered to celebrate their independence. During this meeting, the Guatemalan celebration was made with lanterns (faroles) and for this reason the lanterns are now an integral part of the celebration of independence in Costa Rica. The parade of lights starts at 6:00 pm every September 14th in every community. Traditionally the National Anthem is sung during each of these activities and parades, and several radio stations transmit the National Anthem at 6am on September 15th.

The lanterns displayed in the Parade of Lights can be simple or elaborate

Students in elementary schools and high schools play an important role in the celebrations of September 15th. The Costa Rican educational system is the pride of the country; Costa Rican patriots have always said that the future of the country’s independence is in the hands of its youth. Students are the major players in the parade of lights, parade of bands, torch relay race. It is not unusual to see people decorate their homes, offices, businesses, cars and parade with flags this month.

Costa Ricans have always celebrated the fact that their patriotic celebrations are an activity of students and citizens, and not a military group activity.

A curious fact in the history of the Independence of Costa Rica is that our country didn’t know about its independence until October 1821, because in those days, news took a month to get from Guatemala.

School children participate in the flag display that celebrates Independence Day

Today is “Día del Niño” in Costa Rica.

On November the 20th of 1954, the General Assembly of the United Nations agreed that all countries in the world should hold a day to reaffirm the universal rights of minors.

They concluded that every country should specify a date that each one believed most convenient. For this reason all countries Children’s Day is celebrated on a different date, although Universal Children’s Day is still observed on November 20th.

On this special day, schools will be participating in artistic and cultural activities and many people give gifts to children. For adults, Children’s Day is also an occasion to recall our own childhoods and try to bring the best aspects of a child’s outlook and perspective back into our lives.

However, more importantly, this day is a way to remember the children rights and to respect them.

So happy Children’s Day to the children of Costa Rica and the world…and also to the child who lives in every one of you!

Mother’s Day is a national holiday in Costa Rica. Banks, schools, government offices, and many private business are closed and everyone honors their mother (or her memory) in the style that most befits their budget.

Some families give Mom the day off from her normal love-fueled family management tasks and prepare a special meal for her in the home. Others lavish her with flowers, candy and gifts. Nearly everyone tries very hard to spend at least part of the day with their mother. Mother’s Day is only behind Christmas and Easter in terms of prominence in Costa Rican holidays.

So whether your mother is furry, feathered or flesh, why not wish her a happy Costa Rican Mother’s Day for all that she has done for you?

Leisure time is precious to us all. There’s so much we’d like to do and seemingly very little time to do it all. Every gadget and new digital “assistant” has to serve multiple functions to allow us to be the multi-tasking machines we need to be these days.

Even our leisure time itself has to fulfill multiple demands like providing us with rest and relaxation, a change of scene, and maybe a little adventure. How great it would be if our vacation could also provide us a chance to do some of those other little things we’ve always wanted to do but could never slow down long enough to try?

Guests can choose a cooking class with a professional chef

Tulemar Vacation Homes now offers our visitors that opportunity with some fun and exciting classes arranged with our friends and partners here in Manuel Antonio. Except for the Spanish classes, these aren’t the sort of classes that have books and No. 2 pencils. They’re the active, hands-on, life-enhancement sort of classes that you can do in an afternoon or a few hours.

From gourmet cooking to surfing, photography to yoga, “Tulemar Tech” has something stimulating and interesting for everyone. There’s no long-term commitment required, and your grade won’t go on your permanent record. But you will get a permanent memory of how wonderful your vacation was and how great it felt to have the opportunity to slow down a little and do something just for you.

Enrollment is always open and easy to set up with your concierge. Just let him or her know what you’d like to do and all the details will be worked out for you.

July 25th marks the anniversary of the annexation of Guanacaste by Costa Rica in 1824, and in addition to being a national holiday, it’s a celebration of peace and democracy.

The people of Guanacaste held a referendum in 1824 and voted to leave Nicaragua and become part of Costa Rica, whom they believed they had more cultural affinity for than Nicaragua.

The holiday is celebrated throughout the country, but especially in Liberia, the capital city of the Guanacaste province. There are parades, music & dance, food — and a celebration of all things Costa Rican!

School children practice for the dances that celebrate the annexation of Guanacaste

The Tulemar crew has been hard at work opening a new hiking trail for our guests to enjoy. This is the third and newest segment of our North Beach Trail, and it reaches a previously unreachable peak. It offers an excellent mirador or lookout and is frequented by lots of wildlife, including monkeys and sloths.

Fantastic view from the new hiking trail

It’s just another reason Tulemar Vacation Homes has the best to offer in Costa Rica villa rentals for you and your family. It’s not too early to plan for your winter getaway.