We'll be in Arenal on Independence Day (September 15). Does anyone know if there will be a festival or public celebration?

Independence Day is celebrated throughout Costa Rica, but in a fairly understated way. Schoolchildren will parade, there will be fireworks, and at 6pm everyone will stand and all together sing the national hymn. It is really quite lovely and moving. A nice time to visit.

This nationwide singing of the national anthem is always at 6 p.m. the night before. That's my favorite part of the celebration.

Thank you both for your replies! We look forward to the holiday. I don't have a feel for Arenal yet. I assume there's a main street, a school somewhere near it and a plaza? Is that where we need to be at 6 p.m.?

The nearby town is La Fortuna, and I would imagine it's main plaza is where the Independence Day celebrations take place. The school is just three blocks down the street, so I assume that the parade on the morning of the 15th would take place between the two places. (And any parade that time of year would be in the morning before the afternoon rains come.) The town is quite small, so if there's something going on, you won't miss it. But if you are soaking in the springs at Tabacon at 6 p.m. on Sept. 14, no, nobody there is going to sing the national anthem.