Halloween in Costa Rica

Our North American Halloween is not a celebration in Costa Rica. Instead, November 2nd is All Soul's Day - a very important day in the Catholic and Tico calendar. Locals honour their departed, flowers are placed on gravestones, and masses are held in the churches. It's different from the Mexican Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

We finally abandoned Halloween when we lived in Canada. We got fed up with having to buy overpriced junk candy to give to kids that we didn't even know. And the doorbell rang for so long and upset our cat. So we became one of those households that turned the outdoor lights off on October 31st.

But here, in our little town of Atenas, a bit of the Halloween tradition is carried on. Every year, we have two Halloween goblins show up at our gate and we are happy to carry on the traditions from their home country (the U.S.A.).

It almost didn't happen this year ... we had a major rain and lightning storm for most of the afternoon. Our laneway out to our gate was flooded, making it impossible to walk to the gate to open it.

In the nick of time, the storm abated, the water receded and we were able to greet our goblins.

 

Goblins At Our Gate

Halloween is not a Costa Rican custom. Instead, mascarada parades are held. You can read all about them here.

November 2nd is the Day of the Dead, or Dia De Los Muertos. Costa Ricans remember their deceased loved ones by visiting cemeteries and decorating the grave sites with flowers and candles. I drove past the Atenas cemetary yesterday and it was crowded with families and flower sellers.

This year on October 31st, friends got together to create a Halloween for two young ladies, one of whom just recently moved to Costa Rica. Since Costa Rican kids do not go trick or treating, the parents of both girls arranged for friends to hand out candy so one of the traditions from home could be carried on here.

The girls came to our gate dressed in their costumes and received their candy loot.

Then up the road they went to the next house, more candy, more photos. The final stop was a good one, because it included cupcakes. Next year, I think I will get dressed up and go along with them so I can get some goodies too.

The Goblins

The Cupcakes

 

 

Posted with Blogsy