Costa Rica Festivals and Celebrations​

April

Dia de Juan Santamaria

       Dia de Juan Sanataria celebrates one of Costa Rica's only war heros. Juan Sanataria. Sanataria was a drummer boy from Alajuela whose bravery was instrumental in defeating the infamous William Walker and his army of mercenaries who had overthrown the government in Nicaragua and were moving south to Costa Rica to try to form a private slave-holding empire in Central America.
​       As the story goes, in 1856, Costa Rican soldiers were unable to penetrate Walker's defenses and the young, 14 year old Santamaria was able to set a fire in the house that Walker's mercenary troops had taken and was using as their base. The fire destroyed the building and killed many of Walker's men. Santamaria was killed and his bravery secured a victory at what is known as the Battle of Rivas. His bravery and heroism is celebrated around the country each year on April 11, highlighted by a parade and celebration in his home town of Alajuela. The house was reconstructed and is now a national monument located in Santa Rosa national Park.