Published on Thursday, March 26, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Costa Rica will begin its Holy Week school break Friday, with more than 1 million students from public elementary and secondary schools, public universities and public academies set to start one week vacation, the Ministry of Public Education (MEP) announced.

The Catholic observance of Holy Week will run from Sunday, March 29, through Sunday, April 5, commemorating the final days of Jesus Christ’s life, including his passion, death and resurrection.

According to MEP, this year, the school break for public education institutions will run from Friday, March 27, through Friday, April 3. Classes are scheduled to resume Monday, April 6, for students, teachers and administrative staff.

The holiday period traditionally marks one of the busiest travel weeks of the year for Costa Rican families, many of whom will head to beaches and rural destinations. The period will also coincide with a surge in international arrivals tied to spring break travel.

 

Despite campus closures, education officials said about 230 public schools in socially vulnerable communities will keep cafeterias open during the break, providing lunch to approximately 159,000 students from low-income households.

The meal program is part of an ongoing government initiative to support students living in poverty, with the goal of improving well-being, academic performance and school retention.

While public institutions follow the national academic calendar, some private schools in Costa Rica operate on a U.S.-based schedule. Those schools began classes in September 2025 and will conclude the academic year in June 2026. Their calendar typically includes a spring break period around Easter, a summer break from June through August and a December holiday recess spanning Christmas and New Year’s.

The Ministry of Public Education (MEP) oversees the country’s public education system and is responsible for implementing programs and policies to provide free, universal basic education.

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What have you heard about children in your community who rely on meal assistance programs? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com