Costa Rica’s love for a good party is contagious and the New Year celebrations are no exception. All throughout Costa Rica from the suburbs of San Jose to the beaches along the coastline, families and businesses alike build excitement for the New Year’s celebration right after the end of the Christmas festivities.  Typically, Costa Ricans head to the beach for the New Year as opposed to staying at home, where they spent family time over the Christmas period. Starting on December 26^th, the once mildly populated beaches become alive with people, festivities, music, barbeques and a general buzz of happiness.  Many restaurants, hotels and clubs offer special New Year’s Eve events for both locals and visitors alike. Elaborately themed menus, hand crafted cocktails, dancing and live music are hot ticket items and are sure to please. As this time of year marks the busiest time of the year, visitors are encouraged to book ahead to ensure they get a piece of the pie.

New Year in Costa Rica – is realy great! Street parties and fireworks shows bustling with live bands and street dancing are a time-old tradition in many beach towns and for those of us in the Manuel Antonio-Quepos area, this was no different.  The once quiet fishing town of Quepos and the once boutique community of Manuel Antonio, burst with color and culture this New Year’s as we rang in 2015.  A live salsa band, street vendors selling typical food, and hundreds of people including elderlies, the youth and children alike all enjoyed the downtown Quepos party this year.  The midnight countdown and the fireworks show along the ocean boardwalk proved as fantastic as ever and made the local community proud of being such a part of a family-oriented and tourist-friendly area.

As many people around the globe welcomed the New Year with a kiss, Costa Rica’s beach communities boasted safe and family-friendly environments proving once again why Costa Rica is an ideal tourism-destination and a great place to bring in the New Year.  We look forward to a great 2015 ahead!