Fun, fireworks, and your next favorite Costa Rica tradition – there’s something magical about New Years in Costa Rica and its tropical blend of beach bonfires, family feasts, and deep-rooted traditions passed down through generations.
If you’re in Tamarindo, you’ve now seen how Costa Rica (and the beach) ring in the New Year: An entire town’s worth of events, most steeped in sand with a sprinkling of good drink, oceanfront fireworks,midnight countdowns, and plenty of live music, DJ stylings, and all the fun you could handle. Hope all that celebration doesn’t hurt too much today!
While events for New Year’s in Costa Rica are epic, they’re only half the story. Because behind the DJs and countdowns are time-honored Costa Rica traditions that go beyond champagne toasts and midnight kisses. These are the rituals that ground the celebration in meaning – small acts meant to summon luck, love, health, and prosperity in the year ahead.
So if you’re ringing in the New Year in Tamarindo (or just want to bring a little pura vida to your own traditions), here are six of our favorite Costa Rica traditions to welcome a new beginning:
1. Fireworks at Midnight (and Beyond)
It wouldn’t be New Years in Costa Rica without fireworks – lots of them. As in, the entire skyline lights up with bursts of color, sound, and sparkle. Families set them off in backyards, hotels host displays over the ocean, and streets echo with the familiar pop-pop-pop well into the night (and, yes, into New Year’s Day, too).
Pro tip: If you’re traveling with pets or sensitive little ones, bring noise-canceling headphones or plan to be indoors by midnight. Costa Rica loves its fireworks – and holds nothing back!
Borrowed from Spanish tradition and now widely practiced as a Costa Rica tradition, this one’s sweet and simple: Eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight – one for each month ahead. Each grape represents a wish, a hope, or a resolution for the coming year.
You’ll find grapes piled high in supermarkets and local markets in the final days of December. (Be sure to buy them early – they sell out fast!) To make it even more meaningful, set intentions or whisper a wish with each grape. It’s a fun way to reflect and look forward with purpose.
Want to attract good luck, more money, or true love? In Costa Rica, it starts with what you’re wearing underneath. One of the most playful Costa Rica traditions of the season, this superstition is all about color-coded underwear:
- Red for love and passion
- Yellow for good luck or success
- Green for prosperity and money
- White for peace and health
Even bathing suits count, so pack accordingly! And yes, many Costa Ricans still swear by it. No judgment – we’ve worn yellow more than once.
Food is at the heart of every Costa Rica tradition, and New Years in Costa Rica is no exception. One of the most beloved ways to celebrate the first day of the year is with a big family barbecue – usually featuring chicken, chorizo, and pork ribs slow-cooked over coffee wood, which imparts a distinct, smoky flavor.
The feast often includes traditional sides like gallo pinto, fried plantains, yucca, and plenty of salsa Lizano. You may also spot tamales still lingering from Christmas week or a round of ceviche to kick things off.
Not in the mood to cook? Our private chefs, as well as many restaurants in Tamarindo, offer New Year’s Day specials with traditional dishes. Let us know – we’re happy to recommend a spot!
While some cultures toss salt to ward off bad energy, Costa Ricans have a more… hydrating take. On New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, you may see people flinging water over their shoulders or into the street.
This Costa Rica tradition is symbolic: It represents “throwing away” the hardships of the old year to make room for a fresh start. It's also a playful way to invite renewal and let go of what no longer serves you. Try it yourself – just make sure no one's standing behind you! Bonus points if you do it barefoot in the sand.
While not native to Costa Rica, the practice of lighting sky lanterns has become a growing trend, especially in coastal towns like Tamarindo. As the clock strikes midnight, families release lanterns carrying written wishes into the sky, sending their hopes and dreams upward on the breeze.
If you’d like to join in, be sure to choose a biodegradable lantern made from safe, non-toxic materials. Remember, Tamarindo is home to sea turtles and other delicate ecosystems, so every choice matters. For a more sustainable twist, consider floating your wishes as flowers or writing them down and planting them beneath a tree. It’s a beautiful, earth-friendly way to honor the tradition.
BONUS TRADITION: SUITCASE LAPS AROUND THE BLOCK
Here’s one of our favorite lesser-known traditions: Grab an empty suitcase and run a lap around the block at midnight. Why? Because in Costa Rica, this quirky ritual is said to attract a year full of travel and new adventures.
Not a runner? Walk it. Or just wheel your suitcase around the living room. (We won’t tell.) It's all in good fun – and who doesn't want more travel in the year ahead?
A NEW YEAR, THE COSTA RICAN WAY
At its heart, New Years in Costa Rica is about togetherness, intention, and gratitude. Whether you’re dancing in the streets of Tamarindo, cooking with your family, or simply sipping something bubbly under the stars, the night is filled with a joyful energy that’s hard to describe and impossible to forget.
So, go ahead – eat the grapes, wear the red underwear, toss the water, light a lantern. Join in the Costa Rica traditions that make this celebration so special. And whatever your plans, we wish you a New Year filled with love, laughter, and new adventures.
¡Feliz Año Nuevo from all of us at Stay in Tamarindo!