2021 COSTA RICA HOLIDAYS

2021 Public Holidays Costa Rica Service

The above is the list of 2021 public holidays declared in Costa Rica which includes federal, regional government holidays and popular observances. We also provide Costa Rica holiday calendar for 2021 in Word, Excel, PDF and printable online formats.

The Republic of Costa Rica enjoys public holidays that are predominantly based on cultural and religious traditions. According to Costa Rica’s Labor Code, workers get entitled to eight paid holidays per year.

Being widely a Christian Roman Catholic country, the majority of private and public businesses close shop for about two weeks during Easter Holy week and the subsequent week. The Costa Ricans call this the Semana Santa. In addition to Easter weeks, the majority of businesses, banks, and public offices are closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day. The week (more or less) that is between Christmas and New Year’s Day is essentially an extended holiday. One does not expect to perform any business at that time. You may not find anyone answering the phone or returning your mail. Tourist businesses are the exception, of course since these are the two most heavily toured periods in the industry.

Following Costa Rica’s Labor Code, employees get about eight paid holidays each year. In public holidays, all banks, post offices, museums, and government offices close on public holidays, which also applies to many businesses. Employees may receive paid days off for additional holidays and national or religious observances, including Columbus Day, All Souls’ Day, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and New Year’s Eve. These days and celebrations are permitted at the discretion of the employer in keeping to terms outlined in an employment contract or union bargaining agreement. If an employee is obliged to work on a public holiday, he or she will be rewarded at a rate equal to double the regular salary.