Published on Thursday, November 28, 2024
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Costa Rica is celebrating Thanksgiving Day for the third year in a row after Congress declared it as an official holiday in February 2022.

The main reason for commemorating this holiday is that it marks the official start of the peak tourism season, with most visitors coming from the United States.

According to Jonathan Prendas, a former deputy who presented the initiative for making Thanksgiving an official holiday 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."

In the United States, most employees take Thursday and Friday off to create a four-day weekend, during which they may travel long distances to spend time with family and friends.

In Costa Rica, the U.S. Embassy and Consular Section will be closed on Thursday and Friday due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The diplomatic headquarters will reopen to the public on Monday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Costa Rica Thanksgiving is more of a symbolic holiday to enjoy outside business hours because employees are not permitted to take the day off.

For those looking to celebrate the holiday in Costa Rica, here are many restaurants where you can have a classic Thanksgiving meal that normally includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, gravy, pumpkin pie, and beer.

Radisson Hotel in downtown San José offers Thanksgiving dinner and a live music show at $50 at 7 p.m. Reservation by calling 2010-6000.

Nuvola Restaurant in Coronado Canton, San José offers Thanksgiving dinner at $20 at 7 p.m. Reservation by calling 8993-5597.

Taller del Artista Club in La Union Canton, Cartago, offers Thanksgiving dinner at $50 at 7 p.m. Reservation by calling 8348-3785.

Park Inn Hotel in Sabana Canton, San José offers Thanksgiving dinner at $39 at 6 p.m. Reservation by calling 4110-1100.

Marriott Hacienda Hotel in Belen Canton, Heredia offers Thanksgiving lunch and dinner at $40 beginning at noon. Reservation by calling 2298-0000.

Courtyard Hotel in Los Mangos Canton, Alajuela offers Thanksgiving dinner at $30 at 7 p.m. Reservation by calling 2429-2700.

AC Hotel in Escazu Canton, San José offers Thanksgiving dinner at $60 at 7 p.m. Reservation by calling 2588-4500.

Residence Inn Hotel in Escazu Canton, San José offers Thanksgiving dinner at $47 at 6 p.m. Reservation by calling 2588-4300.

Lucky Bug Restaurant in Arenal, Alajuela offers Thanksgiving dinner at $35 at 4:30 p.m. Reservation by calling 2694-4515.

OZ Restaurant in Jaco Beach, Puntarenas offers Thanksgiving lunch and dinner at $30 beginning at noon. Reservation by calling 2643-2162.

Fuego Brew Restaurant in Dominical Beach, Puntarenas offers Thanksgiving lunch at $35 beginning at noon. Reservation by calling 7059-9753.

Aurola Holiday Inn in downtown San José offers Thanksgiving dinner at $25 at 6 p.m. Reservation by calling 2523-1000.

Ginger Bread Restaurant in Arenal, Alajuela offers Thanksgiving dinner at $20 at 6 p.m. Reservation by calling 2694-0039.

Denny's American Restaurants located in Alajuela, Curridabat and Escazu in San José,  are offering a Thanksgiving menu. Reservations are not required.

The U.S. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.

According to the Virginia Historical Society, the 1621 Plymouth Feast and Thanksgiving were prompted by a good harvest, which the Pilgrims celebrated with Native Americans, who helped them pass the last winter by giving them food in a time of scarcity. It began as a day of giving thanks and sacrifice for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year.

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What are you grateful for this year?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com