The dry season generally runs from December to April, while the green season lasts from May through November. Each offers a different experience for visitors exploring the region, so it is worth considering the weather conditions when planning a trip.

Dry Season: Sunshine and Beaches in Guanacaste

From December to April, Guanacaste experiences its driest months, with plenty of sunshine and little rainfall, particularly in January, February, and March. These conditions are ideal for visiting beaches such as Tamarindo, Playa Avellanas, and Playa Langosta, as well as enjoying excursions and outdoor activities.

Thanks to the favorable weather, this period also coincides with the peak tourist season. Accommodation and other services may be more expensive, so booking in advance is recommended, especially around Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter Week.

Green Season: Lush Landscapes and Fewer Crowds

From May to November, rainfall transforms the landscape. Forests become green again, the surrounding countryside takes on vibrant shades of green, and nature becomes an even greater part of the experience. During May, June, and November, rainy periods often alternate with sunny mornings, allowing visitors to make the most of the day by heading to the beaches and enjoying excursions. July and August can also be good months to visit, although weather conditions tend to be more variable.

September and October, on the other hand, are usually the rainiest months in the province. For this reason, they are less suitable for travelers planning a vacation focused primarily on beach activities.

When Does the Dry Season Begin in Guanacaste in 2026?

According to forecasts from Costa Rica’s National Meteorological Institute (IMN), the 2026–2027 dry season is expected to begin setting in across the North Pacific region during the week of November 9–15. This includes Guanacaste, where a significant decrease in rainfall is expected.

However, the transition will be gradual, meaning that rainfall will not disappear overnight. Rain showers may still occur throughout November due to atmospheric systems and weather patterns associated with the seasonal transition. By late November and early December, increasingly dry conditions are expected across the North Pacific, marking the beginning of the province’s sunnier months.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Guanacaste?

The best time to visit depends on the kind of experience you are looking for. From December to April, weather conditions are generally ideal for enjoying the beaches and outdoor activities, although these months also bring larger crowds and higher prices.

May, June, and November, meanwhile, are interesting alternatives for travelers who prefer fewer crowds and want to experience Guanacaste’s lush green landscapes. If spending time at the beach is the main priority, September and October require more careful consideration because of the heavier rainfall.

Ultimately, Guanacaste has something to offer throughout the year. Understanding the characteristics of each season makes it easier to choose the right time to discover its beaches, explore its landscapes, and experience the natural beauty of this Costa Rican province.

Sensorial Sunsets

Although both projects operate in Costa Rica’s Pacific region, their immediate goals differ. One seeks to reduce the thermal stress affecting cultivated corals, while the other focuses on restoring marine habitats. Their results may provide useful information to guide future conservation efforts.

Coral Bleaching and Its Consequences

Corals have a close relationship with microscopic algae called zooxanthellae, which live in their tissues and provide a significant portion of the energy they need. This association supports the growth and maintenance of coral reefs. When water temperatures remain above the levels corals can tolerate for an extended period, their relationship with these algae is disrupted. Corals may expel the algae and lose their characteristic coloration. This phenomenon is known as coral bleaching.

Bleaching does not mean that every affected coral will die. However, the loss of these algae reduces the corals’ energy supply and can hinder their growth and recovery. If thermal stress continues, the risk of mortality increases. The situation can also affect other marine species. Reefs provide food, shelter, and breeding grounds for fish, crustaceans, and numerous invertebrates. Their deterioration can disrupt ecological relationships and harm human activities that depend on marine resources, such as fishing and tourism.

The El Niño episode poses a challenge for coral conservation projects along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Warmer water can disrupt the relationship between corals and zooxanthellae, microscopic algae that are essential to coral nutrition. In response to this risk, UNED moved the 2,700 corals in its Isla Tortuga project to a depth of 13 meters to reduce their exposure to high temperatures. The corals’ response will need to be assessed through ongoing monitoring by the scientific team.

Changes to the Isla Tortuga Project

On Isla Tortuga, in the Gulf of Nicoya, UNED introduced changes to its coral restoration project to reduce the organisms’ exposure to high temperatures. According to information released by the university on October 14, 2026, the team moved 2,700 corals from their cultivation structures to a greater depth.

The nurseries were moved from five to 13 meters underwater. With this measure, the researchers aim to find more favorable temperature conditions for the corals during the current ocean-warming episode. The initiative is supported by the National Learning Institute (Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje, INA) and Bay Island Cruises.

The team also temporarily suspended some restoration activities, including coral fragmentation, coral gardening, and the installation of new structures. These decisions allow the team to focus its efforts on protecting the organisms already involved in the project. Scientific monitoring is another important part of the response. Researchers assess the corals’ condition and record water variables such as temperature and salinity. These data will help evaluate how the corals respond to the change in depth and determine when it will be appropriate to resume the suspended activities.

The relocation is an adaptive measure in response to current conditions, but its effectiveness must be verified through continuous observation. Monitoring the corals over the coming weeks and months will provide a better understanding of their recovery prospects.

Playa Blanca Turns to Underwater Structures

In Playa Blanca, on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast, Punta Leona Beach Club and the MareBlu Foundation are developing a marine restoration initiative that began in 2020. The project uses artificial structures to provide surfaces for marine organisms to colonize and spaces where different species can find shelter.

According to information released in 2026, the initiative has more than 75 structures in place. The goal is to gradually expand this network to 200 units and help connect two natural reefs separated by a sandy area. The structures can provide surfaces for marine organisms to settle and offer shelter to different species. The project also involves attaching live coral fragments to these surfaces to support their growth and contribute to habitat recovery.

Surveys Reveal Changes in Marine Life

Data released in 2026 indicate that more than 60 fish species and 5,708 invertebrate individuals have been recorded around the structures. These figures provide a reference for the diversity observed in the area and help researchers track changes in the marine community associated with the project.

However, these records must be interpreted carefully. The presence of numerous species is a relevant indicator, but it does not, by itself, demonstrate that the ecosystem has recovered all its functions. Assessing the effects of restoration also requires studying population trends, coral survival, and environmental changes over time.

The project also includes an underwater museum consisting of nine sculptures. This space combines educational and tourism activities with the marine restoration initiative. It may help visitors learn about the underwater environment, provided that activities remain compatible with habitat protection.

The project’s long-term progress also depends on addressing other environmental pressures. Pollution, fishing activities, high temperatures, and boat traffic can affect marine organisms and the installed structures. Restoration efforts must therefore be accompanied by measures to reduce these impacts on the ecosystem.

Recovery Requires Long-Term Monitoring

The experiences of Isla Tortuga and Playa Blanca show that marine restoration requires measures tailored to local conditions. While UNED seeks to reduce thermal stress on its corals, the Playa Blanca project focuses on creating habitats that encourage marine organisms to establish themselves.

Both initiatives require ongoing monitoring to determine whether their actions produce lasting benefits. The number of relocated corals, installed structures, and recorded species are useful indicators, but they are not enough on their own to demonstrate full ecosystem recovery.

As the ocean warms, protecting coral reefs requires a combination of scientific research, habitat protection, and measures to prevent other sources of degradation. Monitoring these projects can provide valuable information to guide future restoration efforts along Costa Rica’s coasts.

Sensorial Sunsets

The phenomenon is already being closely monitored by scientists because of its potential effects on temperatures and rainfall. In Costa Rica, its impacts tend to vary depending on the country’s different climate regions. This is compounded by the latest sub-seasonal forecast from the National Meteorological Institute (IMN), valid from September 28 to October 25, 2026. The institute forecasts a rainfall deficit across much of the country during this period.

October Could Bring Drier Conditions

The outlook issued by the IMN changes as October progresses. Between September 28 and October 11, dry conditions are expected in the Pacific and Central Valley. During those weeks, the Caribbean, Northern Zone, and Northwest Northern Zone are expected to remain within normal conditions for this time of year. The situation is expected to change from October 12 onward, when the IMN forecasts the expansion of drier conditions to other parts of the country.

Between October 12 and 18, the North Pacific, Central Pacific, and Central Valley are expected to show the strongest signals, with conditions classified as very dry. The South Pacific, Caribbean, and Northern and Northwest Northern regions are also expected to experience drier conditions. During the final week covered by the forecast, from October 19 to 25, the dry pattern is expected to extend across the entire country. The North Pacific, Central Pacific, and Central Valley would remain among the areas experiencing very dry conditions. This forecast covers a period of several weeks and does not mean that it will stop raining throughout the entire period. In fact, the IMN has also recently reported humid conditions, heavy showers, and thunderstorms in different parts of the country.

How Is This Scenario Related to El Niño?

El Niño is part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a climate pattern resulting from interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere. One of the factors used to identify and monitor its development is the surface temperature of the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Temperature variations recorded in the Niño 3.4 region help determine whether El Niño, La Niña, or neutral conditions are occurring, as well as the event’s intensity.

Its effects are also not uniform across Costa Rica. The Pacific generally experiences lower rainfall and higher temperatures during El Niño events, while the Caribbean tends to receive more rainfall. The distribution of moisture changes as the phenomenon alters atmospheric circulation. For this reason, understanding the effects of El Niño in Costa Rica requires considering both the region and the time of year.

A Natural Phenomenon That Should Be Distinguished from Climate Change

El Niño and climate change are both related to the climate system, but they are not the same phenomenon. El Niño is a natural variation in the ocean-atmosphere system that has occurred for centuries. Climate change, on the other hand, refers to a sustained warming trend primarily associated with human activities.

The possible influence of global warming on the intensity or effects of El Niño remains under study, although there is no conclusive evidence establishing a direct causal relationship. This distinction is important because it allows forecasts to be interpreted without automatically attributing every change in temperature or rainfall to a single cause.

Agriculture Is Vulnerable to Changes in Rainfall

Changes in rainfall can quickly become a problem for agricultural production. In the Pacific regions, a prolonged period of low rainfall can reduce the amount of water available for crops and increase pressure on other water sources used by productive activities. If the situation persists, the effects can extend to aquifers and generate economic and social consequences for communities that depend on agriculture.

If the situation persists, the effects can extend to aquifers and generate economic and social consequences for communities that depend on agriculture. Excessive rainfall poses another set of risks. Heavy downpours can contribute to flooding, erosion, waterlogged soils, crop losses, and landslides. This means that both too little and too much water can create challenges for the agricultural sector.

Planning Before Conditions Change

Forecasts cannot determine with absolute certainty what will happen several months from now. Models produce probabilistic scenarios that are updated as new information becomes available. Precisely because of this uncertainty, having up-to-date information can help reduce exposure to changing conditions.

Producers can consider adjusting planting schedules, managing irrigation water more efficiently, monitoring soil moisture, and using ground cover. Crop diversification and the installation of water storage systems can also form part of the adaptation strategies mentioned by the specialist.

Water Will Require Particular Attention

Water availability could become one of the main concerns during a dry period. The needs of communities, agriculture, and other sectors must be met with a water supply that can vary depending on rainfall and local conditions.

In this context, IMN forecasts provide a reference for monitoring how rainfall could behave over the coming weeks. The forecast currently extending through October 25 indicates that the deficit could become more pronounced, particularly in the Central Pacific, North Pacific, and Central Valley. However, conditions can change, and forecasts should be consulted as they are updated.

Preparing Also Means Understanding Uncertainty

The possibility that El Niño will continue developing does not mean that all of its effects can be known in advance. The phenomenon’s eventual intensity and its behavior over the coming months depend on how the climate system evolves. For this reason, the available information should be used as a planning tool rather than as an absolute prediction.

For the agricultural sector, this distinction can be important. Waiting until a drought or period of excessive rainfall fully develops limits the available response options. Consulting forecasts, assessing local conditions, and preparing alternatives can help producers make decisions before persistent changes in the climate result in greater losses.

Costa Rica has monitoring and forecasting tools that make it possible to track changes in rainfall and temperatures. Using them regularly can help producers and communities respond earlier to the climate scenarios that may develop in the coming months. The climate outlook for 2026 has been shaped by the evolution of El Niño, making continued monitoring important for anticipating its potential effects on sectors such as agriculture, water resources, and electricity generation.

Sensorial Sunsets

They eventually found that place in Montezuma, on the Nicoya Peninsula. There, they began a life devoted to nature and, over time, helped launch one of the projects that would shape the history of conservation in Costa Rica: the creation of Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve.

A Dream on the Nicoya Peninsula

During the 1950s, large areas of forest on the Nicoya Peninsula were being cleared for agricultural activities. The colonization policies of the time encouraged the use of lands considered available, accelerating the loss of forest cover.

Wessberg and Mogensen watched this process with concern. Cabo Blanco particularly caught Nicolás’s attention because of its diversity of plant and animal life. The Swedish naturalist visited the area to collect seeds and became convinced that this forest needed to be protected.

The couple then began seeking support to acquire the land. Conservation organizations in Sweden and Denmark helped raise the necessary funds, while Costa Rican individuals and institutions also took part in the process. According to documentation from the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), the International Union for Conservation of Nature and other collaborators also played a role in the efforts that led to the creation of the reserve.

A particular friendship helped support some of these efforts. Karen Mogensen and Karen Olsen de Figueres, the wife of former president José Figueres Ferrer, were both born in Denmark and became friends. This relationship helped secure support for the early conservation efforts.

After several years of work, the project became a reality. On October 21, 1963, through Executive Decree No. 10, Cabo Blanco was designated an Absolute Natural Reserve. SINAC recognizes it as the first protected wild area in Costa Rica and Central America. Its creation also helped lay the foundations for the protected-area system that the country would develop in the following decades.

Cabo Blanco, a Refuge by the Ocean

Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve lies at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. Its territory encompasses terrestrial and marine ecosystems that form part of the same conservation area. The reserve protects forests where species from both humid and dry environments coexist. It also preserves areas of secondary forest that have recovered after decades of landscape transformation.

Among the trees found here are madroño, guácimo, jobo, gumbo-limbo, and guarumo. The reserve is also home to large trees such as pochote, kapok, and espavel. The area also preserves plant species with a more limited distribution on the peninsula.

The wildlife is equally diverse. Its forests are home to mantled howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, deer, lowland pacas, armadillos, anteaters, raccoons, and white-nosed coatis. Wild cats have also been recorded, including ocelots, margays, and jaguarundis. Birds are another major attraction in Cabo Blanco. Numerous terrestrial and marine species have been recorded, while the coast and Cabo Blanco Island provide important sites for different bird species.

The island that gives the reserve its name lies off its southern tip. Its rocks, covered with deposits of guano, gave rise to the name Cabo Blanco, meaning “White Cape.” The site is used by various seabirds and forms part of the landscape that characterizes this area of the peninsula. Protection also extends to the marine environment. The reserve includes an area of ocean that helps conserve species associated with coastal ecosystems.

The Personal Cost of Conservation

The project undertaken by Wessberg and Mogensen was not easy. During those early years, protecting a forest could conflict with economic interests connected to the land.

Historical documentation from SINAC indicates that some people viewed conservation efforts as a threat to their interests. Similar tensions also surrounded efforts to protect other natural areas in the country.

In 1975, Nicolás Wessberg traveled to the Osa Peninsula to support efforts to protect the territory where Corcovado National Park would later be established. He was murdered during that trip. Different accounts have circulated about the circumstances of his death. SINAC documents indicate that, at the time its management plan was prepared, the person or people responsible for the murder had not been identified.

Wessberg’s death did not bring an end to the work he had begun with Karen. In 2025, 50 years had passed since his death, providing another opportunity to remember the role they both played in the early organized conservation efforts in Costa Rica.

Karen Mogensen Continued the Mission

After Nicolás’s death, Karen remained committed to conservation. Her financial situation became extremely difficult, even as she continued managing resources to maintain the areas she had helped protect.

According to SINAC documentation, she even turned her home in Montezuma into a small guesthouse to earn an income. She rented out the rooms while sleeping in a rear section of the house. Her financial difficulties were related, among other factors, to taxes and charges imposed on her properties.

Until her final years, Karen remained determined to ensure the permanent protection of the property where she had lived with Nicolás. Before her death in 1994, she arranged for the property to become a conservation heritage site under the administration of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE).

Today, this area is known as the Nicolás Wessberg Absolute Natural Reserve, named in honor of one of the main figures behind Cabo Blanco and the country’s early conservation efforts. SINAC maintains the reserve as part of Costa Rica’s national system of protected wild areas.

The Legacy Continues at Karen Mogensen Reserve

Karen’s work also led to the creation of another conservation area on the Nicoya Peninsula. The Karen Mogensen Reserve began to take shape in 1996 with the acquisition of the first 364 hectares by the Ecological Association of Paquera, Lepanto and Cóbano (ASEPALECO), with support from international organizations. Over the years, the protected area expanded to nearly 960 hectares, according to Foreste per Sempre.

The reserve protects regenerating forests and water sources that are important to local communities. It also serves as a space for environmental education, research, and ecotourism.

Its history shows that conservation involves more than simply declaring a territory protected. It also requires restoring forests, maintaining them over the long term, and working together with nearby communities.

Science to Understand the Forest

The conservation of the Karen Mogensen Reserve also incorporated a scientific component. Foreste per Sempre, an Italian organization that works with ASEPALECO, supported the creation of a biological and meteorological station in the reserve. The facility was inaugurated in 2014 and collects information on biodiversity, weather conditions, and environmental changes.

The station makes it possible to study the relationship between the forest and climatic conditions. It also supports research on species, forest regeneration, and ecosystem functioning. One of its objectives is to monitor the effects that climate change may have on biodiversity. Long-term weather data can complement biological research and help researchers understand how the forest changes over time.

The project also has an educational component. The station can serve as a site for university research, fieldwork, and activities for students and groups interested in conservation.

A Legacy That Lives On

The story of Nicolás Wessberg and Karen Mogensen is connected to a time when conservation did not yet have the prominent role it holds in Costa Rica today. Their work helped demonstrate that forests could have a value that extended far beyond their economic use. Cabo Blanco became a precedent for the later development of Costa Rica’s protected wild areas.

Today, Cabo Blanco continues to protect terrestrial and marine ecosystems on the Nicoya Peninsula. The Nicolás Wessberg Absolute Natural Reserve preserves another part of this legacy, while the Karen Mogensen Reserve keeps alive the name of the woman who continued defending conservation after her partner’s death.

More than six decades after Cabo Blanco was established, the vision of this European couple remains part of Costa Rica’s environmental history. Their names are associated with protected forests, research projects, and communities that continue to see conservation as a way to protect their natural resources.

Sensorial Sunsets

But why are lanterns used? The answer is connected to the events that took place in Guatemala during the night of September 14 and the morning of September 15, 1821, when residents of Guatemala City took to the streets to support the separation from Spain.

One of the figures most closely associated with those events is María Dolores Bedoya de Molina, a woman who actively participated in the independence movement. At a time when women had very limited political participation, she took on a public role during those historic days.

A Night of Uncertainty in 1821

At the beginning of the 19th century, Central America was still under Spanish rule. However, the region’s political situation had begun to change. Independence ideas were gaining strength, while other sectors defended the continuation of the existing political order. Communication was also very different from what it is today. Modern means of communication did not exist, and news could take days or weeks to travel from one city to another.

Costa Rica was also unaware of what was happening in Guatemala at the time. In fact, news of the independence proclaimed on September 15 did not reach Costa Rica until October, through communications that traveled from the north. On October 13, 1821, a courier arrived in San José with information about the events in Guatemala and León.

In addition, the streets had no electric lighting. After nightfall, people depended on portable sources of light to move around. Torches and lamps helped illuminate the roads and could also make a gathering of people more visible. It was in this context that one of the episodes later associated with the lantern tradition took place.

Dolores Bedoya and the Mobilization of September 14

María Dolores Bedoya de Molina was born on September 20, 1783, and died on July 9, 1853. She was married to Pedro Molina Mazariegos, a physician and leader of the independence movement who later became Head of State of Guatemala. Bedoya was part of circles that supported independence. Her participation is particularly significant because women had very limited involvement in formal political life at the time.

On the night of September 14, 1821, Bedoya took to the streets of Guatemala City accompanied by Basilio Porras. They sought to gather residents who supported the cause of independence. Historical tradition remembers Bedoya walking through the streets with a torch and calling on people to demonstrate in favor of independence. Her involvement was not limited to that night.

The following day, while representatives of the Province of Guatemala discussed the political situation, Bedoya remained with a group of citizens near the place where the deliberations were taking place. According to historical tradition, the crowd made its presence known through shouting, music, and gunpowder.

The pressure from outside contributed to an atmosphere of tension as the representatives debated whether they should declare independence. Finally, on September 15, 1821, the Act of Independence of Central America was signed. This is why Dolores Bedoya became closely associated with that historic day. In 1821, she was 37 years old and about to turn 38.

What Does This Have to Do with Costa Rica’s Lanterns?

The connection between those events and Costa Rica’s lantern parade is mainly symbolic. The image of people gathering at night and lighting the streets with torches and other sources of light gradually became a reference for Independence celebrations. However, it is important to clarify that Costa Rica’s current Lantern Parade did not exist in 1821. The organized tradition began much later as a school activity.

In 1953, five years after the 1948 Civil War, teacher Víctor Manuel Ureña Arguedas, then the provincial director of schools in San José, officially organized the Lantern Parade. His purpose was to strengthen civic spirit among the population, especially children.

Ureña established that the activity would take place every September 14 at 6 p.m. and asked teachers at schools and secondary schools to promote it among their students. The first parade had broad participation from students from schools in San José, accompanied by their teachers and families. From then on, the celebration gradually spread to other communities throughout the country.

A Tradition That Spread from Schools to Families

Over the decades, lanterns ceased to be merely an element of a school activity. Making them also became a family tradition. Every year, students create lanterns in different sizes and designs. Some families make them at home, while others purchase ready-made models. What matters is that the lantern becomes part of a collective celebration held on the night before September 15.

At 6 p.m., communities hold civic ceremonies and sing the National Anthem of Costa Rica. The lantern parade then begins through the streets. The Ministry of Public Education recognizes this activity as part of the patriotic celebrations held throughout the country. The tradition is also connected to the Independence Torch, whose flame symbolically represents freedom and links the Central American celebrations held in September.

Lantern Parade: From a Political Mobilization to a National Celebration

The history behind the lantern helps explain why this object has a meaning that goes beyond its appearance. In 1821, the light carried by those who walked through the streets of Guatemala was part of a context of political mobilization. More than a century later, Costa Rica transformed that image into an element of a civic celebration initially aimed at children.

The transformation is significant. The torches and lamps of that period served to illuminate the streets during a night of uncertainty. Today’s lanterns, by contrast, light up festive processions and accompany students, families, and communities on the eve of Independence Day.

For this reason, every September 14, when lanterns fill the streets of Costa Rica, the tradition symbolically recalls the events that took place in Guatemala in 1821. It also keeps alive the memory of a woman who played a prominent role in that mobilization: María Dolores Bedoya de Molina.

The Costa Rican celebration began in 1953, but it found in the events of 1821 the historical reference that explains why, every year, the country’s streets fill with lights on the eve of September 15.

Sensorial Sunsets

For centuries, turtles were part of life for the people who inhabited this region. Pre-Columbian peoples, explorers and early settlers used their meat and eggs as food. Their shells were also used to make different products.

Antes de llamarse Tortuguero, el poblado era conocido como Turtle Bogue o Boca Tortuga. A principios del siglo XX, especialmente durante la década de 1920, comenzaron a establecerse familias afrocaribeñas procedentes de Limón y Parismina, junto con migrantes de Barra del Colorado y Nicaragua.

Before becoming known as Tortuguero, the settlement was called Turtle Bogue or Boca Tortuga. In the early 20th century, particularly during the 1920s, Afro-Caribbean families from Limón and Parismina began settling in the area, along with migrants from Barra del Colorado and Nicaragua. Logging was one of the main reasons people came to the region. The extensive forests contained valuable tree species, including cativo and almendro, while the canals made it easier to transport logs. Agricultural activities also developed, mainly through crops such as coconuts and mangoes. The small settlement consisted of a few families and a sawmill where part of the timber extracted from the forests was processed.

Change Began with the Turtles

Tortuguero’s history took a new direction during the 1950s, when American zoologist Archie Carr of the University of Florida arrived in the region to study sea turtles.

Carr became particularly interested in the green turtles that came to nest on Tortuguero’s beaches. His research helped demonstrate the area’s international importance as a nesting site. In 1959, the Caribbean Conservation Corporation was established, promoting sea turtle research and conservation in Tortuguero. Today, the organization is known as the Sea Turtle Conservancy.

These studies also helped reveal the region’s natural wealth. Tortuguero was important not only because of its turtles, but also because of its forests, wetlands, rivers, canals and numerous species of flora and fauna.

The Creation of Tortuguero National Park

Growing interest in conservation led to the creation of Tortuguero National Park on September 24, 1970, through Executive Decree No. 1235-A. Its boundaries were later modified in 1980, 1995 and 1998 to incorporate additional territory. Today, the park covers 76,937 hectares, including 50,284 hectares of marine area and 26,653 hectares of land.

The creation of the park gradually transformed the community’s relationship with its surroundings. Natural resource extraction gave way to conservation, research and tourism. By the mid-1980s, the first travelers began arriving, drawn by the canals, forests and sea turtles. Today, Tortuguero is one of Costa Rica’s leading ecotourism destinations.

A Refuge of Great Ecological Importance

Located in northeastern Costa Rica, Tortuguero National Park protects nesting beaches for four species of sea turtles: the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta).

The park also protects the habitat of the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), the jaguar and numerous threatened species. In addition, it conserves the yolillal, a characteristic ecosystem of the Caribbean lowlands dominated by the yolillo palm (Raphia taedigera).

Tortuguero’s biodiversity includes at least:

• 734 plant species
• 442 bird species
• 138 mammal species
• 118 reptile species
• 58 amphibian species
• 460 arthropod species

Among the species that can be observed are the great green macaw, spectacled caiman, black river turtle, wattled jacana, anhinga, strawberry poison dart frog, spider monkey and white-faced capuchin.

A Landscape Shaped by Water and Forest

Tortuguero is characterized by its extensive network of rivers and canals. Its ecosystems include tropical forests, wetlands, lagoons, marshes and Caribbean beaches. The region receives heavy rainfall throughout the year. Annual precipitation can reach 6,000 millimeters, while average temperatures range from 25 °C to 30 °C.

One of the area’s natural attractions is Tortuguero Hill, a formation approximately 119 meters above sea level. Its origins date back around 1.8 million years, and it represents one of the highest elevations in the region. From this point, visitors can appreciate part of the wetlands, forests and landscapes that characterize Costa Rica’s northern Caribbean region.

From Turtle Bogue to a Global Conservation Landmark

Tortuguero’s history reflects an important transformation. What began as a small settlement associated with the exploitation of turtles, timber and agricultural products became one of Costa Rica’s most important conservation areas.

Today, the turtles that were used as a source of food for centuries have become one of the region’s main symbols. Scientific research, the creation of the national park and the development of ecotourism changed the future of Tortuguero.

Sensorial Sunsets

Costa Rica’s extraordinary natural diversity is also reflected in its national symbols. Among them is the Morpho butterfly, which was officially recognized as a national symbol of the country’s lepidopteran fauna on May 31, 2022.

The species Morpho helenor narcissus is particularly notable for the intense blue color visible on the upper surface of its wings when they are fully open. This effect is not simply the result of pigmentation, but rather of the microscopic structure of the scales covering its wings, which produces their characteristic iridescent appearance. Some specimens can reach a wingspan of nearly 20 centimeters.

Beyond their visual appeal, butterflies have held a significant place in Costa Rica’s cultural history. Since pre-Columbian times, they have been represented on various archaeological artifacts found in the Central Valley. These representations may have been associated with practices and rituals related to death and the work of those involved in funerary practices.

A Butterfly Garden in the Heart of San José

For those who want to observe these species up close and learn more about their life cycle, the Butterfly Garden at the National Museum of Costa Rica offers a natural refuge in the middle of San José.

The garden is one of the first experiences visitors encounter during their tour of the museum. Covering approximately 1,000 square meters, it is home to 28 butterfly species, along with plants that provide them with food and the conditions they need to complete their development.

A visit offers the opportunity to observe much more than adult butterflies. Among the vegetation, visitors can find eggs, larvae, pupae, and chrysalises, as well as butterflies that have recently emerged from their pupal stage, basking in the sun, feeding, or taking flight.

The garden is also connected to one of the most significant events in Costa Rica’s history: the abolition of the National Army. Part of the garden is located alongside the historic brick wall where, in 1948, then-President José María Figueres Ferrer, popularly known as Don Pepe, performed a symbolic act by striking the wall with a sledgehammer to represent the end of the country’s military operations.

The garden is fully accessible to visitors in accordance with Law No. 7600, the Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act.

A Space for Learning About Metamorphosis

The garden’s importance goes beyond providing a place to admire the beauty of these insects. It also serves as a natural laboratory and educational space where students, teachers, families, and visitors can gain hands-on knowledge about butterflies.

One of its main attractions is the opportunity to follow the different stages of their metamorphosis. Visitors can observe how a tiny egg develops into a larva that feeds and grows, eventually reaching the pupal stage before emerging as an adult butterfly. The pupae remain visible to the public, allowing visitors to witness one of nature’s most remarkable transformations. At certain times, it is even possible to see new butterflies emerging from their chrysalises.

Information panels throughout the garden provide details about the species found there, their feeding habits, the plants they depend on for their development, and the duration of the different stages of their life cycle.

Plants That Sustain the Butterflies’ Life Cycle

The garden depends on the close relationship between butterflies and the vegetation surrounding them. For this reason, the space features different types of plants, including herbs, shrubs, trees, and vines, each serving specific functions within this small ecosystem.

The garden has eight species of host plants, which butterflies use during their early stages of life, as well as six nectar-producing plants that provide food for adult butterflies. Among the host plants are various species of passionflowers, also known as passion vines, and aristolochias, as well as trees such as sangrillo, chaperno, targuá, and guarumo.

Nectar-producing plants include species such as red shrimp plant, Mexican sunflower, gavilana, camaroncillo, and rabo de zorro, along with other plants such as chinas, cambrai, viborana, and pata de gallo. Together, this diversity of vegetation creates favorable conditions for butterflies to feed, reproduce, and complete the different stages of their development.

Butterflies of Forests and Open Areas

The species found in the garden represent butterflies associated with both forest environments and open areas. Among the forest species is the Morpho helenor, along with the numilia butterfly (Catonephele numilia) and the clearwing butterfly (Heliconius hecale). Open areas are home to species such as the Julia butterfly (Dryas iulia) and the yellow swallowtail (Heraclides thoas).

An important characteristic of the garden is that the butterflies displayed there are native species of Costa Rica’s Central Valley. Maintaining this condition helps prevent the introduction of non-native species that could disrupt local ecosystems.

A Symbol of Costa Rica’s Biodiversity

The designation of the Morpho butterfly as a national symbol recognizes not only its unique beauty, but also the value of the biodiversity that defines Costa Rica.

Its presence is a reminder that behind every butterfly lies a complex process of transformation and a close relationship with the plants and ecosystems that make its survival possible. Learning about these insects therefore also means understanding the importance of preserving the natural environments they depend on.

The Butterfly Garden at the National Museum offers precisely that opportunity: to connect with nature without leaving the heart of San José and to discover, among leaves and flowers, the different stages these small inhabitants of Costa Rica go through.

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This year’s edition brings together a broad representation of the publishing industry, with 129 stands and the participation of 68 publishing houses, bookstores, and ventures related to the world of books. More than 60 national and international authors will also take part in the various activities scheduled throughout the event.

One of the spaces seeking to give greater visibility to emerging voices is the collective bookstore space, which will feature 25 self-published authors. The initiative aims to create opportunities for independent writers and bring their publications closer to readers.

Guatemala, Guest Country of Honor

One of the highlights of FILCR 2026 is Guatemala’s participation as the guest country of honor. Throughout the fair, a special program will showcase the country’s literary, artistic, and cultural production.

This participation seeks to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries while giving Costa Rican audiences the opportunity to discover different Guatemalan authors and literary expressions.

A Fair for All Audiences

FILCR will be open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., except on Sunday, August 30, when activities will end at 6:00 p.m. In addition to the areas dedicated to books, visitors will find a food area featuring 10 food vendors and four food trucks.

The program includes book presentations, talks, workshops, poetry readings, exhibitions, artistic performances, and activities for children.

Book Fair: Featured Authors and Activities

Over the weekend, the schedule includes meetings with writers and activities exploring different literary genres and traditions.

On Saturday, the closing activities will include the talk El oficio de narrar la oscuridad, focused on crime fiction, as well as a discussion on the current landscape of Guatemalan literature. Both activities are scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Sunday’s program will begin at 11:00 a.m. with several activities, including the presentation of a commemorative 50th-anniversary edition of Mirrusquita, a work that received the Carmen Lyra Prize, as well as the presentation of El quetzal colibrí gigante by writer Enrique Noriega.

At 2:00 p.m., the talk Karine Bernal: Entre sombras y coronas will take place, accompanied by a book presentation and signing. Among the international guests is Mexican writer Guillermo Arriaga, who will present his book Hombre at 5:00 p.m.

At the same time, Liesel Derezinski Selva will present Nuestra Odisea. A 91-year-old survivor of World War II, she shares in the book her German family’s experiences during the conflict. Sunday’s program will conclude at 6:00 p.m. with a discussion addressing the challenges of publishing and book distribution in Central America.

New Challenges for the Publishing Industry

The 2026 edition also introduces changes to the way the fair is organized. These include modifications to the physical layout of the spaces, the structure of the activities, and the way visitors are served.

Another noteworthy initiative is a book donation campaign that aims to provide books to school and high school libraries across the country. Through this effort, the fair extends its reach beyond the Antigua Aduana venue and seeks to contribute to greater access to reading materials in educational institutions.

FILCR is also taking place at a time of significant transformation for the publishing industry. The growth of self-publishing and the expansion of digital platforms have changed traditional approaches to producing, distributing, and purchasing books. In response to these developments, the industry is seeking to adapt through new approaches and processes that reflect the habits of today’s readers.

Strengthening Reading and Regional Connections

With its return to the Antigua Aduana, FILCR 2026 combines a historic San José venue with a proposal designed to expand the participation of authors, publishers, and independent projects.

Guatemala’s presence as guest country of honor, the participation of international writers, and the promotion of self-published literature also reflect an effort to strengthen cultural and commercial connections throughout the region.

The organizers hope this edition will contribute to creating new partnerships within the publishing industry, increasing the fair’s international reach, and encouraging more people to read. In this way, FILCR aims not only to celebrate books over nine days but also to establish itself as a meeting point for writers, readers, publishers, and cultural projects from Costa Rica and Central America.

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The Origins of Mother’s Day in Costa Rica

According to information from the Ministry of Public Education (MEP), the origins of Mother’s Day in Costa Rica date back to 1932. The initiative emerged at Escuela Nicolás Ulloa in Heredia, where the idea of establishing a special day to honor mothers was proposed.

The proposal received the support of the government of Cleto González Víquez, and on August 10, 1932, Law No. 79 was passed, officially designating August 15 as Mother’s Day in Costa Rica. The law allowed schools, colleges, nursing homes, and charitable institutions to dedicate this day to honoring mothers.

The celebration, however, had precedents. According to the MEP’s historical account, the so-called “Mother’s Day” had been celebrated in October 1923, while “Women’s Day” took place in January 1927. These initiatives preceded the official establishment of Mother’s Day in 1932.

Evangelina Solís Salvatierra, the Teacher Behind a Celebration

Evangelina Solís Salvatierra, a teacher from Heredia and advocate for important social causes, is remembered as one of the figures associated with the origins of Mother’s Day in Costa Rica. She completed her primary education in Heredia and later attended high school at the Colegio Superior de Señoritas. In 1905, she entered the teaching profession and worked at various schools until she became the first principal of the Nicolás Ulloa School, where she spearheaded initiatives to benefit her students.

Her commitment to the community extended well beyond the classroom. Evangelina Solís Salvatierra co-founded the Red Cross in Heredia and served as its treasurer. She also developed various initiatives to raise funds for education, including organizing activities around Plaza de Flores and film screenings at the school. She retired in 1940 but continued participating in various social initiatives until her death on November 17, 1974. In recognition of her work, the Municipality of Heredia named her an Honorary Daughter of Heredia and placed her photograph in the Municipal Council Chamber.

Why Does Costa Rica Celebrate Mother’s Day on August 15?

The date chosen by Costa Rica coincides with a celebration of particular importance in the Catholic tradition: the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which is also commemorated on August 15.

Evangelina Solís Salvatierra’s initiative originally called for celebrating mothers on July 14, but the official date that was ultimately established was August 15. This date coincided with the Catholic celebration of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a feast day that also falls on that day.

This coincidence has given the date a particular significance for many Costa Rican families. For some, the day is not only an opportunity to celebrate mothers but also a time to remember those who have passed away. For this reason, some families take the opportunity on August 15 to visit cemeteries and bring flowers to their mothers, grandmothers, or other relatives who have passed on.

Since its official establishment, Mother’s Day has remained one of the most significant dates on the Costa Rican calendar. Every August 15, families across the country see this tradition as an opportunity to celebrate, express gratitude, and honor those who have served as mothers.

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The First Oratory

A few years after the settlement was established, a small house of prayer dedicated to Saint Isidore the Farmer was built near the present-day San Antonio school. This first oratory had a simple purpose: its doors were opened only for Sunday Mass, celebrated by the priest from San Vicente, now Moravia.

As the population grew eastward, residents began settling on the land donated by José Ana Marín. On a flatter section of this land, a wooden chapel was built, which would later play an important role in determining the location where the administrative center of San Isidro would be established.

During the 1860s, the government appointed a commission to determine the most suitable land on which to establish the town center. The commission, which included engineer Frantz Kurtze and the priest of San José, Father Marco Bonilla, determined that the most suitable site was the hill where the chapel had been built, or alternatively the areas of Los Anonos or San Antonio, where the first oratory had stood.

The Second Church

Once San Isidro was designated as the town center, the residents decided to build a larger church that would have a more prominent presence within the settlement. Permission for its construction was obtained in 1862, and the community actively participated in financing the project.

Contributions were not limited to money. Residents donated products and materials such as corn, firewood, pigs, calves, and construction materials. Among the largest contributors was José Ana Marín.

The new church was built of brick and wood. Its walls were very thick and, according to the document, were probably joined using the system known as “header and stretcher bond.” Although the building was made of brick, its interior finishes and towers were made of wood.

Also, the church displayed Neoclassical influences. Its main façade featured a semicircular arched opening with a two-leaf wooden door. Above it was a glass transom forming the main entrance. On either side were three attached pilasters, while the building was topped by a pediment. At the northern and southern ends were small towers intended to house the bell towers.

The church was inaugurated on November 21, 1880. Later, on January 1, 1882, Bishop Bernardo Augusto Thiel granted it parish status. Its first parish priest was Father José Victoriano Mayorga, who had already been in charge of the church since 1881.

The Birth of the Present-Day Church

Over time, and particularly as a result of earthquakes, the second church began to suffer damage. The 1910 earthquake was particularly significant in this process.

In 1925, the parish priest of San Isidro, Father Carlos Meneses, promoted among the residents the idea of building a new church. That same year, he was replaced by Father Rubén Fernández Meléndez, who continued the initiative.

To finance the new construction, Father Fernández organized a series of community fairs with the residents. Due to their scale, these events became known as turnos. They attracted people from nearby communities and made it possible to raise significant amounts of money.

The first turno was held in 1925. The canton was divided into three districts, and each organized its participation. Stalls with shelters and dining areas were set up, where various foods were sold, including tripe soup, stews, picadillos, bizcocho, and tamales. There were also cigarette stalls and other activities intended to generate income.

They were held on the first Sunday of February, and approximately ten were organized in total to contribute to the construction of the new church. Community involvement was not limited to fundraising. Residents also directly participated in the construction work. Among the testimonies collected in the document is that of Carmen Arroyo Granados, who recalls participating, together with another young woman named Claudia Brenes, in collecting materials, removing bricks from the old church, and gathering wood.

The Plans by Teodorico Quirós

In 1928, the plans for the new church were commissioned from the national architect and painter Teodorico Quirós Alvarado, who charged four thousand colones for their preparation.

The plans were taken to Germany by Father Koch, a professor at Colegio Seminario, so that the structural framework required for the construction could be manufactured there. Months later, Father Mach informed Father Rubén Fernández that the plans had been approved by the engineers of the Krupp company. The company subsequently sent the budget and specifications for the roof structure.

While waiting for the framework, it was necessary to prepare the site. Large trenches and deep holes were excavated where the structure would later be installed.

The work was supervised by engineer Nicolás Fournier, while teams of workers operated under the direction of foreman Jacinto Rodríguez, a member of the local community.

At the time, there was no material transportation service in the canton, so construction materials were transported by carts. Little by little, stone and sand were stockpiled to begin construction. According to one of the testimonies collected, there were eventually thirty-nine carts dedicated to transporting materials, which was quite a spectacle for the residents of the time.

A Structure Manufactured in Germany

At the end of 1930, the German-made structure arrived at the Pacific Electric Railway Station in San José. From there, it was transported by carts to Coronado and placed in the square in front of the church.

Its installation marked an important milestone in the progress of the project. Large metal plates and considerable-sized bolts were required to assemble the structural components. The central nave was erected first, followed by the side naves.

The construction also required a significant mobilization of workers. For the process of pouring the walls, logs from nearby farms were used and sawn into formwork. The sand and stone had already been stockpiled in the square.

The participation of local residents was fundamental. Because of the nature of the construction process, once the pouring of a section began, it had to continue until it was completed. As a result, the men of the town worked very long shifts and, on some occasions, worked throughout the night.

The Windows, Ceiling, and Old Clock

In 1951, once the main body of the church had been completed, plans were made to acquire the windows in Europe. Twenty-three windows were planned for the upper section of the central nave, along with thirty-seven in the body of the church, including the chapels, as well as a rose window above each side entrance. Their total cost was approximately thirteen thousand dollars.

The ceiling had originally been planned in concrete to cover the iron framework. However, the residents considered wood to be safer, since a lighter material would pose less danger to worshippers in the event of an earthquake or other incident. The carpentry work for the ceiling was carried out by Rigoberto Solano, a young member of the community who was only 22 years old.

Another element brought over from the old church was the clock. Once the tower had been built, the clock from the former church, donated by José Trinidad Mora, was installed there. To adapt it to the new tower, three clock faces had to be added and its mechanism modified. This work was carried out by Rigoberto Solano and his brother Rafael.

The Bells of San Isidro de Coronado

The bells were also part of a lengthy process. In 1934, Father Fernández had begun negotiations with a French company to acquire them. However, it was not until 1957 that they could finally be installed.

Named after the notes E and G, the bells were called Isidoro, in honor of Saint Isidore the Farmer, and Rafaela, in honor of the district of San Rafael. Ricardo Zúñiga and his wife, Beatriz Méndez, donated the Isidoro bell. Several families from the community donated the second bell.

The church was practically completed by 1954, with only the bells still missing. However, the document also states that 1937 is considered the completion date, when the bells were blessed during a solemn consecration ceremony held on November 14 and presided over by the Archbishop of San José, Monsignor Rafael Otón Castro.

A Church Built by the Community

Community participation lies at the heart of the history of the Church of San Isidro de Coronado. From the first contributions toward building the second church to the construction of the present-day building, residents contributed money, goods, materials, and labor.

Through the turnos and fairs, funds were raised, while carts transported stone and sand, residents supplied wood and other materials, and numerous people took part directly in the different stages of construction.

Built through the efforts of several generations of Coronado residents, the church stands as a testament to their collective work and preserves elements connected both to the former church and to the community effort that made the present-day building possible.

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