Costa Rica News – Christmas is coming in Costa Rica and we thought we would give you some of the things to expect if you are travelling this way or you are experiencing your first Costa Rica Christmas.Bright, tropical flowers highlight decorations for Christmas in Costa Rica.
Special trips are made to gather the wild orchids that bloom in the jungle areas. The manger scene is called a portal and is decorated with these brilliant flowers and colorful fresh fruit. Wreaths of cypress leaves and red coffee berries are very popular.
The supper after Midnight Mass consists of tamales and other local dishes. Children used to leave their shoes out for the Christ Child, el Niño Jesus, to fill, but Santa Claus is relieving Him of this task now.
Customs of the Christmas Season in Spanish speaking countries have many similarities, and many variations. All of Latin America and Spain are predominantly Catholic. For many of these countries Baby Jesus, el Niño Jesus, brings gifts for children.
In Costa Rica, also Colombia, and parts of Mexico, the gift bearer is el Niño Jesus, “the infant Jesus.” In Brazil and Peru, he’s called Papai Noel.
In Puerto Rico, children receive gifts from the Three Kings on January 6th, also called the celebration of Epiphany, the three Kings’ Day. Each child puts grass under their bed for the camels. In the morning the grass is replaced with gifts. Also, Puerto Rico, being part of the United States, does its major gift giving on December 25, with the Christmas Tree and Santa Claus – in this sense, Puerto Rico is totally Americanized.
