Today, August 31, Costa Rica observes a national holiday that may be less familiar to some than August 2 or September 15, but one that carries an important part of the country’s story.
Today is the Day of Black People and Afro-Costa Rican Culture, a celebration dedicated to recognizing the historical, cultural, and social contributions of Afro-Costa Ricans. The date also coincides with the United Nations’ International Day for People of African Descent, observed around the world every August 31.
The day invites us to celebrate a heritage that is deeply woven into Costa Rican identity, but whose history and influence have not always received the same visibility within the broader story of the country. From the Caribbean coast to communities throughout Costa Rica, generations of Afro-Costa Ricans have helped shape the country through their traditions, knowledge, work, creativity, music, food, language, art, and contributions to everyday life.
This influence is especially visible in Limón, on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, where Afro-Costa Rican heritage has played a defining role in the culture and identity of the region. Yet its legacy reaches far beyond one province, forming part of the Costa Rica we know today.
Costa Rica has commemorated the Day of the Black Person since the 1980s, and over the years its recognition has continued to grow. In 2018, August was officially declared the Historical Month of Afro-Descendance in Costa Rica, with August 31 serving as a meaningful culmination of a month dedicated to sharing and celebrating Afro-Costa Rican history, traditions, music, gastronomy, and cultural expression.
Today, we join that celebration with appreciation for the richness of Afro-Costa Rican culture and for the people and communities whose stories, traditions, and contributions continue to shape Costa Rica’s past, present, and future.
Today, we celebrate and honor Black People and Afro-Costa Rican Culture.