Does anyone know what really happens during Semana Santa (Holy Week) as far as transportation, national parks, activities, etc.? We will be in Costa Rica just during that time and wonder if and how much this is going to affect what we want to do. We're thinking of going to Tortuguero, Arenal and Monteverde and fly out of San Jose on Easter Sunday. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Semana Santa
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I would suggest getting in touch with a travel agent there. I would think most tourism activities would be available - Costa Rica is VERY tourist-friendly because it is their main industry.
I've had good experience with this website (link at the top right), and they even have a "live chat" where you can talk to an agent if you have specific activities in mind:
http://www.anywherecostarica.com/
I haven't traveled during that time but from reading other people's trip reports, I know that the beaches get very crowded with locals, and there's a time period where liquor sales shut down. You could e-mail your hotels and also Desafio and Sunset Tours to see specifics if no one else chimes in.
First, make hotel reservations now if you haven't already, and have some altervnatives in mind. It's the busiest week of the year for tourists and places fill up far in advance.
Tours run every day and national parks are open.
Nearly every regular business closes on Thursday and Friday. Restaurants in tourist locations are open, but elsewhere very little is open. By law, you cannot buy alcohol in any form on Thursday or Friday of Holy Week. Bars and liquor stores are required to close, and restaurants cannot serve alcohol on those two days.
It used to be that all public transportation shut down on Good Friday. That has loosened up, but schedules are still greatly limited over a normal Friday.
Traffic is a mess late in the week. Many people don't have the whole week off, but do go somewhere Thursday through Sunday, and that's when there are a LOT of vehicles on the road.