Many Costa Ricans take advantage of the time off from work and school to travel. The beaches are crowded this week. Although the mountain town I visited (Monteverde) was not particularly busy, we were stuck for a long time on the roads due to traffic. It is a special time to spend with family and enjoy Costa Rica's natural beauty.
In the city of Cartago, there is a large processional that happens on Friday of Holy Week. This involves a performance of the crucifixion and ressurection of Jesus. This is a very involved reenactment, including costumes and props. Many people come to Cartago to witness this event. There are similar processionals in other cities, including San José, but the one in Cartago is the largest and most significant.
Easter is an extremely important Christian holiday, celebrated and recognized all over the world and in many different branches and denominations. Although this holiday looks different all over the world, it holds great religious and cultural significance. Although I am not Catholic, I am Christian and grew up with my own Easter traditions. It has been interesting to compare my experiences with the customs here in Costa Rica. Here, given the strong national Catholic identity, Semana Santa and Easter feels more universal across the country than in the U.S. It also seems to retain more of a directly religious connection. For example, many people in the U.S. do Easter egg hunts or talk about the Easter Bunny regardless of their religion, and, to me, it feels a bit more commercial.
