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Guanacaste Day Celebration features a full lineup of free activities.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Culture
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Things To Do This Weekend




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Published on Friday, July 24, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff





Get ready for an exciting weekend packed with fun! From live concerts and captivating plays to vibrant festivals, cultural celebrations, and dazzling shows, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.



Have a local event happening in your community? Share the details with us at news@amcostarica.com, we’d love to spread the word!






On Friday and Sunday





Experience one of the world's most beloved comic operas as the Melico Salazar Theater in San José presents "The Barber of Seville," inspired by the classic two-act opera composed by Gioachino Rossini in 1775. The curtain goes up at 7 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are available at the theater box office or online.






On Saturday



 


Looking for something different this weekend? Every Saturday, El Pescado Loco Rooftop Patio in Dominical Beach, Puntarenas, hosts friendly pickup ball hockey games beginning at 9:30 a.m. Players of all skill levels are welcome to join or simply watch the action. The games regularly attract participants from Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Switzerland, and the United States, making it a fun international community event. Admission is free.











On Saturday and Sunday




Latin Dance Spectacular at the Eugene O'Neill Theater in San José. Get ready for an evening filled with energy, music, and incredible performances as it presents a dance showcase featuring Stage Arts Academy and Expresarte Academy. With more than 30 dancers on stage, the production takes audiences on a vibrant journey through Latin rhythms with an exciting blend of music and artistic expression. The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the theater box office.








On Sunday





Spend a nice morning with live folk music as the San José Municipality Band performs a free concert at the National Museum in downtown San José. The free concert begins at 11 a.m. and offers a relaxed way to enjoy traditional Costa Rican sounds in one of the city's most iconic settings.







This Weekend





Guanacaste Day Celebration to honor the 202nd anniversary of the Annexation of Nicoya territory to Costa Rica. Organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Nicoya, the celebration features a full lineup of free activities, including dance performances, plays, concerts, a fair showcasing locally made products, stands serving traditional regional food, a horse parade, bullfights, an amusement park, and much more. The festival will be held in several areas throughout the city, with the main venues at Recaredo Briceño Park and the San Blas Fairgrounds. Activities begin at 9:00 a.m., and admission is free for everyone.




Head to
Máximo Fernández Square in San José for a fun-filled weekend as the Montes de Oca Community Fair brings the town to life with activities for all ages. Visitors can enjoy carnival rides, live concerts, sports activities and food trucks. Festivities begin at noon each day, and admission is free.




Spend the weekend at
the Naranjo Canton central park in Alajuela, where the Naranjo Community Fair is packed with entertainment, family-friendly activities, and local flavor. The celebration includes parades, live concerts, and a great selection of local food vendors. Festivities begin at noon each day, and admission is free.











Expresivo Theater in San José is bringing back the popular comedy "Addicted to You," a hilarious play about five women who unexpectedly find themselves stranded in an airport. Along the way, the story dives into topics like health, illness, grief and emotional codependency with plenty of humor. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 6 p.m. Grab your tickets at the theater box office or online.






Catch the dramatic play
"Condominium" at the Vargas Calvo Theater in San José. The production explores the ups and downs of family relationships, touching on love, rivalry and the search for happiness. Recommended for audiences 15 and older, performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with a Sunday show at 5 p.m. Tickets are available at the theater box office or through the National Theater website, which sponsors the production.





Lucho Barahona Theater in San José is serving up laughs with "Everything Can Get Worse." The play follows a chain reaction of hilarious mishaps that begin with a small lie and quickly spiral into one outrageous catastrophe after another. Shows run Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 5 p.m. Tickets are available at the theater box office or online. This comedy is intended for audiences 18 and older.












Tricycle Theater in San José is putting a fun twist on mystery with “Shear Madness,” based on the German play “Scherenschnitt” by Paul Pörtner. This interactive comedy drops you right into a unisex hair salon where a famous pianist upstairs gets murdered—and suddenly everyone’s a suspect. Expect laughs, surprises, and a chance to be part of the action. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 5 p.m. Tickets are available at the theater box office or online.






Embark on an unforgettable journey at the Wildlife Rescue Center in Barrio San José, Alajuela. Take a guided tour through the animal sanctuary and wildlife conservation center, where you’ll explore beautiful botanical gardens and meet over 125 species of rescued animals including sloths, monkeys, jaguars, tapirs, birds, and reptiles. These incredible animals cannot be returned to their natural habitat, but they are lovingly cared for at the center. Tickets are available at the venue box office or on the center's website. Don’t miss this chance to connect with nature and support wildlife conservation.







A fun-filled day of activities designed just for teenagers at Libertad Park Club in San José. From painting and dance to music, sports, and arts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Best of all, the event is free and pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along for the fun. The event kicks off at 9 a.m.




Dive into an unforgettable adventure at the Kids Saving the Rainforest Wildlife Sanctuary in Quepos Beach, Puntarenas! This amazing non-profit is home to nearly 50 incredible animals that can't be released back into the wild, and you can meet them all on one of their fascinating tours. Reserve your spot today by emailing Chip@kstr.org or calling 8827-8243. Don’t miss this chance to connect with nature and support a wonderful cause.





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Get ready to witness the incredible arrival of sea turtles at Ostional National Park in Guanacaste. Starting at 6:30 a.m., you'll be guided by an expert from the Ostional Tourist Guides Association for an unforgettable experience.




Kick off an exciting day at Punta Pirata Beach Club in Puntarenas City, Puntarenas. With games, playgrounds, and pools, it's the ultimate spot for kids to have a blast. The doors open at 8 a.m., and tickets are available at the park box office.










Jump into endless fun at Ojo de Agua Water Park in San Antonio Belen, Heredia. Enjoy free swimming, Zumba, aerobics, sports games, fitness, diving, and so much more. This amazing club also features a parking area, a restaurant, multiple swimming pools for adults and kids, a playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, and even a soccer field! Doors open at 7:30 a.m.Tickets are available on-site.




Visit
Lankester Botanical Gardens in Dulce Nombre, Cartago, for a day surrounded by stunning nature! The gardens open at 9 a.m. and feature lagoons, forests, and beautiful landscapes. Tickets are available on-site. It’s a perfect spot to explore Costa Rica’s natural beauty.










Get ready for a day of fun and discovery at the Children's Museum in downtown San José! Packed with exciting activities for kids, this is the perfect spot for family adventures. Doors open bright and early at 9 a.m., and tickets are available on-site or on the museum's website.



Head over to Kalambu Hot Springs Water Park in La Fortuna, Alajuela, for a day full of fun and relaxation! With over 10 aquatic activities and hot spring pools to enjoy, it’s the perfect spot to unwind. The park opens at 10 a.m. Tickets are available on the venue box office. Plus, kids under 4 get in for free.













Go ride hopping at the Parque de Diversiones in La Uruca, San José. The amusement park has more than 17 rides such as roller coasters, carousels, twists and bumper cars among many others. Enjoy their food court zone and picnic area. The park opens at 9 a.m. For more information visit the park's website.



The System of Conservation Areas invites visitors to explore some of Costa Rica's most beautiful national parks, including Chirripó in Cartago and Limón, Poás Volcano in Alajuela, Tortuguero in Limón, San Lucas Island in Puntarenas, Irazú Volcano in Cartago, and Manuel Antonio Beach in Puntarenas.  You can make reservations directly on the organization's website.







The Guanacaste Conservation Area invites visitors to explore both Santa Rosa and the Horizon Experimental Forest Station in Guanacaste. Tickets can be purchased on
organization's website.




The Diquis Museum
in Palmar Sur, Osa, Puntarenas offers walking tours through the archaeological zone of Finca Sitio 6. Tours are available from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are available on-site.








The Art Museum in downtown La Sabana, San José, presents private collections of Latin American artists. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are available on-site.


 


The Gold Museum in downtown San José presents an exhibition of Costa Rican bills and coins since 1850. Also, in the exhibit are the 700 pieces of handcrafted gold made by the first population in Costa Rica. The museum opens at 9 a.m.




The National Museum in downtown San José, presents an exhibition of Costa Rica's history and handmade artifacts, including some more than 12,000 years old, made by the first peoples of the region. Museum hours are from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 





Have a "Pura Vida" weekend chilling out with family and friends.


    


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