Costa Rica is celebrating Thanksgiving Day as an official holiday for the fourth consecutive year, following Congress' declaration in February 2022.

The holiday marks the official start of the peak tourism season, with most visitors arriving from the United States. It also supports the restaurant sector, which was heavily affected by closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Jonathan Prendas, a former deputy who introduced the initiative to make Thanksgiving an official observance in Costa Rica, "the goal is to attract more American tourists eager to spend their vacation in a country with warmer weather than the frigid winter season that has begun in North America."

Costa Rica's Thanksgiving is largely symbolic and observed outside of work hours because employees are not permitted to take the day off.

The origin of Thanksgiving dates back to the United States. According to the Virginia Historical Society, the 1621 Plymouth feast and Thanksgiving celebration followed a successful harvest. Pilgrims marked the occasion with Native Americans, who had helped them survive the previous winter by providing food during a time of scarcity. The day evolved into one of giving thanks for the harvest and the year’s blessings.

In the United States, most employees take Thursday and Friday off, creating a four-day weekend often used for long-distance travel to visit family and friends.

In observance of the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 27. The embassy will reopen on Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The creation of this holiday reflects Costa Rica’s commitment to celebrating positive values and fostering social harmony. Inspired by Thanksgiving yet rooted in Costa Rican identity, the holiday blends global traditions with local culture.

For those looking to celebrate the holiday in Costa Rica, many restaurants across the country are serving classic Thanksgiving dishes such as turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, gravy, pumpkin pie and more.

El Jardín restaurant in Atenas, Alajuela, is offering Thanksgiving dinner beginning at 2 p.m. Price: $46 per person for the full menu. Reservations: 8430-2419.

Signature Picnic restaurant in Tamarindo Beach, Puntarenas, is offering a Mediterranean-style Thanksgiving menu starting at 5:30 p.m. Reservations: 7088-4400.

Alma del Pacífico Beach Hotel & Spa in Esterillos Beach, Puntarenas, is offering Thanksgiving dinner beginning at 6 p.m. Reservations: 8582-1404.

Chubbs Sport Bar, with locations in Escazú, Morazán and La Sabana in San José, is offering a Thanksgiving menu starting at 2 p.m. Price: $25. Reservations: 2289-2135, 2222-0835 or 2296-5584.

Four Seasons Resort in Peninsula Papagayo, Guanacaste, is offering Thanksgiving dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. Reservations: 2696-0000.

OZ Restaurant in Jacó Beach, Puntarenas, offers Thanksgiving lunch and dinner for $30 beginning at noon. Football games will be screened, including Packers vs. Lions, Chiefs vs. Cowboys and Bengals vs. Bills. Reservations: 6252-0888.

Hotel Bahía del Sol in Potrero Beach, Guanacaste, is offering Thanksgiving dinner at 5 p.m. Price: $40. Reservations: 2654-4671.

El Manglar Restaurant in Jacó Beach, Puntarenas, is offering a Thanksgiving menu starting at 5 p.m. Reservations: 4704-9318.

Poro Poro Restaurant at Exclusive Resorts in Papagayo Peninsula, Guanacaste, is offering Thanksgiving dinner at 5:30 p.m. Price: $88 for adults; 50% discount for children. Reservations: 2690-8370.

Sal y Fuego Restaurant in Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, is offering Thanksgiving dinner for $100 starting at 6 p.m. Reservations: 6391-0002.

InterContinental Hotel in Escazú, San José, is offering a Thanksgiving menu at The Market restaurant beginning at 2 p.m. Price: $58. Reservations: 2208-2142.

Gran Hotel Costa Rica by Hilton in downtown San José is offering a Thanksgiving menu starting at noon. Price: $55. Reservations: 2103-9000.

Marriott Hacienda Belén Hotel in Heredia is offering Thanksgiving dinner beginning at 6 p.m. Price: $55. Reservations: 2298-0000.

Courtyard San José Airport Hotel in Alajuela is offering Thanksgiving dinner starting at 7 p.m. Price: $30. Reservations: 7009-0744.

AC Hotel in Escazú, San José, is offering Thanksgiving dinner at 6 p.m. Price: $50. Reservations: 7009-0744.

Residence Inn Hotel in Escazú, San José, is offering Thanksgiving dinner beginning at 7 p.m. Price: $50. Reservations: 7019-3128.


Caballo Negro Restaurant in Nuevo Arenal, Alajuela, is offering Thanksgiving dinner beginning at 4 p.m. Price: $35. Reservations: 2694-4515 or 8709-1423.


Fuego Brew Restaurant in Dominical Beach, Puntarenas, is offering Thanksgiving lunch or dinner for $35 beginning at noon. Reservations: 7059-9753.

Aurola Delta Hotel in downtown San José is offering Thanksgiving dinner for ₡50,000 at 6 p.m. Reservations: 2523-1000.

Denny’s restaurants located at Plaza Airport Boulevard in Alajuela, Plaza Irazú in Uruca and Momentum Pinares in Curridabat are offering a Thanksgiving lunch and dinner menu. No reservations required.

Costa Rica’s Thanksgiving holiday embraces values of gratitude and unity while honoring the country’s own traditions. It offers an opportunity for people to come together, reflect on their blessings and strengthen community bonds.

 

The AM Costa Rica team will take one day off in observance of the holiday.

Our next publication will be released on Friday, Nov. 28. However, if major news occurs, the newspaper will continue to keep readers informed.

Have a "Pura Vida" Thanksgiving Day!