If your traditional Christmas is cold and grey and wrapped up in wool, have you ever thought about splashing out and taking a Caribbean Christmas with your toes in the ocean instead of socks?
Caribbean Christmas starts here
Here on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, Caribbean Christmas is anything but traditional and that’s the fun of it. Sure, if you absolutely must have turkey and all the trimmings you can find it but you might choose a sea fresh lobster instead for your Caribbean Christmas Dinner. And you may put yourself under a decorated Christmas palm tree with a mojito — no wool clothing required.
Barefoot Luxury Christmas at Casa Bromelia, Geckoes Lodge
I’ve always loved the Caribbean Christmas — what’s not to like about strolling through Puerto Viejo decorated for the festivities stopping for a pina colada and watching the pelicans diving for fish, instead of having to rush home to warm your freezing feet?
Pelicans fishing in Caribbean Costa Rica
Puerto Viejo really lives up at Christmas with live music adding atmosphere to beach bars selling Christmas Caribbean cocktails and restaurants offering special tropical menus to happy (warm!) visitors.
Happy Warm Christmas!
Costa Rica loves Christmas and Ticos begin by preparing their festive tamales whilst swathing their Caribbean coloured houses in lights and decorations.
Making tamales for Christmas in Costa Rica
Tamales completed for Christmas eve in Costa Rica
House in Puerto Viejo well and truly decorated
There’s also many Nativity scenes throughout the country, both at private houses and public buildings and enactments of the Nativity.
Nativity Scene, Costa Rica
Live Nativity Scene, Costa Rica
Christmas in Costa Rica is a vibrant celebration with music, dance festivals, street fairs and parades. One of the most famous parades is El Tope, a horseback parade with magnificent horses and riders dressed in their finest: a gorgeous sight!
Detail of El Tope
So if you’re feeling like a change this year, need to escape the stress, get off the beaten path and immerse yourself in Barefoot Luxury, your Caribbean Christmas awaits!
Caribbean Costa Rica coast line
Just add a mojito…
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