Held annually every January in Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, the Festival de Santa Cruz is a local fair or “fiesta” in celebration of the revered patron saint, "El Santo Cristo de Esquipulas." These fiestas are Guanacaste’s most emblematic way of kicking off the year, held from January 14th to January 21st. Santa Cruz and visitors to the community engage in a myriad of activities to honor their patron saint and celebrate local Guanacaste traditions creating a lively atmosphere. The festivities include traditional cuisine, spirited bullfighting, a “tope” or procession of horse riders, diverse concerts, and animated masquerades winding through the streets with plenty of lively marching bands called “cimarronas.”
The journey from Las Catalinas is only an hour and fifteen minutes, so those looking for an enjoyable cultural activity, the Fiestas Civicas de Santa Cruz are highly recommended.
Check out the full schedule here.