Costa Rica News – As Thursday night’s publish will be in essence our weekend edition we will give a run down of a few events happening in Costa Rica in different areas that we think our readers might enjoy attending. This is by no means all the weekend events but ones that appeal to our curiosity or excitement bug.
It is Semana Santa (Easter) weekend in Costa Rica. The time of year where San Jose becomes somewhat barren and the beaches become flooded with local and foreign tourists. You might find yourself unable to find alcohol in certain areas of Costa Rica, depending if the municipality is allowing alcohol sales. With Catholicism being a large part of the Costa Rican culture a lot of the country becomes shut down.
San Joaquin de Flores Easter Procession
There are processions throughout Costa Rica that you will be able to experience but this one might rank as the one you should see if you only see one. San Joaquín de Flores is famous in Costa Rica for their Holy week processions. The representations are “live” and actors play their roles with much devotion.
During the week the actors rehearse so that everything goes perfect the day of the presentation.
The church in Llorente de San Joaquín is located east of Intel on the road between Intel and Heredia. The central church is in San Joaquín proper – 2 blocks north of the main road between Alajuela and Heredia. The times below are the normal times these events happen, but are subject to change.
FRIDAY
9:00 am
Procession of the Stations of the Cross (Santo via Crucis) begins in the church in Llorente (Templo de Llorente) and 
proceeds to the central church (Templo Parroquial)
3:00 pm
The Passion of Christ (Celebración del Pasión del Señor) at the central church followed by a procession with the corpse of Christ (Procesión del Santo Entierro)
SATURDAY
7:00 pm
Vigil (Vigilia Pascual) followed by a bonfire (Fuego y del Cirio Pascual) at the central church
SUNDAY
3:00 pm
Communion (Eucaristía) followed by a procession of the risen Christ (Procesión del imagen del Resucitado) at the central church
San Joaquin is located about 10 minutes from the airport and the bus leaves from in front of the Cathedral with the red steeples downtown San Jose.
The 3rd annual Semana Santa Classic, Date 29 Mar 2013, Time 6:00 – When it Ends
The 3rd annual Semana Santa Classic is a community event that supports the lifeguards of Playa Dominical. They save numerous lives each year from being taken by the large surf and strong rip currents that Dominical is known for. The lifeguards on this beach are privately funded and are always in need of more staff and equipment. Come out for a day of sun and fun on the beach and support this community effort. Some of the areas best surfers will be vying for cash prizes and bragging rights. The entire town will be on hand. Once the surfing is done, the party moves to Tortilla Flats where there will be a bikini contest!
