-Independence Day, September 15. Commemorates the declaration of independence of Central America in 1821.

-Battle of Rivas Day, April 11. Anniversary of victory over Confederate invaders in 1856. William Walker was an American who planned to enslave Central American countries in the name of the Southern Confederacy. He had already taken over the Nicaraguan government in 1855 and declared himself president of that nation, and entered Costa Rica next. The president of Costa Rica, Juan Rafael Mora, raised an army consisting mainly of farmers armed with machetes. They forced Walker and his troops back into Nicaragua. Walker was eventually caught and shot in Honduras in 1860.

-Guanacaste Day, July 25. A public holiday celebrating the annexation of the Guanacaste province on this day.

-Mother's Day, August 15. Honors all mothers on Assumption Day.

-Abolition of the Armed Forces Day, December 1. Costa Rica's army was abolished in December 1948 after anti-Government forces took over following a dispute of the presidential election results.

-Our Lady of the Angels, August 2.

Your interntaional cell phone rentals can help you keep track of these many festivals.