Events & Festivals

Pelagic Rockstar Offshore Tournament

The 10th anniversary of the Pelagic Rockstar Offshore Tournament at Marina Pez Vela, Quepos. One of Costa Rica's premier billfish tournaments featuring world-class anglers competing for significant cash prizes. Three days of offshore competition targeting sailfish, marlin, and dorado in some of the Pacific's most productive waters. Prize packages and social events throughout the tournament week.

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Los Sueños Ladies Only Billfish Tournament

Exclusive ladies-only billfish tournament at Los Sueños Marina. Practice day on January 20th followed by tournament competition concurrent with the Signature Triple Crown Leg 1. Open to boats with slip rental agreements at Los Sueños Marina and resort homeowners. The tournament celebrates women anglers and provides a competitive but supportive environment for female fishing enthusiasts. Lines in at 8:00 am both days.

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Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown - Leg 1

First leg of the premier offshore fishing tournament series in Central America. The Los Sueños Triple Crown attracts the world's top sportfishing teams to compete in Costa Rica's billfish capital. Three consecutive days of intense competition with 30-40+ sailfish releases per boat common during peak season. Safe Harbor Los Sueños Marina provides world-class facilities, and the consistently productive offshore waters within 8-12 miles deliver championship-level fishing. Points from all three legs determine the overall Triple Crown champions.

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Pescadora Billfish Championship

The world's most unique ladies' billfishing event held at Marina Pez Vela in Quepos. This groundbreaking tournament brings together women of all nationalities and experience levels to crown the World's Top Lady Anglers. Three days of competitive fishing combined with social events, networking, and celebration of women in sportfishing. The Pescadora has grown into an international gathering that combines serious competition with camaraderie and empowerment.

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Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown - Leg 2

Second leg of the prestigious Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown billfish tournament series. Three consecutive days of elite sportfishing competition in Costa Rica's world-renowned billfish waters. February typically delivers excellent sailfish action with calm seas and consistent weather. Teams competing for cumulative points toward the overall Triple Crown championship intensify their strategies. Marina Village comes alive with tournament energy, evening gatherings, and fishing stories from the day's action.

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Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown - Leg 3

Final leg of the Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown billfish tournament series. The culmination of one of the world's most competitive sport fishing events, with overall champions crowned based on cumulative points from all three legs. March represents the peak of sailfish season with the highest strike rates of the year. The final weigh-in and awards ceremony at Marina Village celebrates the season's champions and closes out three months of world-class competitive fishing.

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Bisbee's Costa Rica Offshore Tournament

Historic first international event by the legendary Bisbee's tournament organization, held at Marina Pez Vela in Quepos. Bisbee's brings decades of tournament experience from Los Cabos to Costa Rica's Central Pacific, marking a major expansion of their tournament footprint. The April timing targets transitional fishing as sailfish season winds down and marlin season begins. Expect significant prize purses, professional tournament management, and the Bisbee's reputation for fierce but fair competition.

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Costa Rica National Surf Circuit - Grand Final

Grand final of the Costa Rica National Surf Circuit at Playa Hermosa in Jacó, offering 2,500 ranking points. The culmination of a five-stop tour featuring 19 categories from juniors to open divisions. Playa Hermosa's powerful, consistent waves provide the perfect proving ground for crowning national champions. Live broadcast on Canal 6 (Grupo Repretel) every Sunday from 9am-noon. Organized by the Costa Rican Surf Federation (FEDESURF). The event draws top national talent and international visitors, with beach festival atmosphere, vendor booths, and live music between heats.

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Semana Santa (Holy Week)

Costa Rica's most significant cultural and religious celebration. Holy Week transforms the Central Pacific coast as thousands of Costa Rican families from San José and the Central Valley descend on beaches for the traditional vacation week. Official national holidays include Maundy Thursday (April 2) and Good Friday (April 3), when virtually all businesses, banks, and government offices close. Expect packed beaches, heavy traffic, fully booked hotels, and festive family atmosphere. Palm Sunday processions, traditional foods like sopa negra and arroz con leche, and religious observances mark the sacred days. Many restaurants limit menus or close entirely on Thursday and Friday. Plan ahead, book accommodations early, and embrace the local tradition or avoid the coast during this peak week.

Juan Santamaría Day

National holiday commemorating Costa Rica's national hero, Juan Santamaría, who sacrificed his life to defeat American filibuster William Walker at the Battle of Rivas in 1856. April 11 is a day of national pride and remembrance, with parades in Alajuela (Santamaría's hometown) and civic celebrations throughout the country. Banks, government offices, and many businesses close. Families often extend Semana Santa vacation or take long weekend trips to the beach. Expect continued high occupancy along the Central Pacific if this falls adjacent to Holy Week.

Earth Day Costa Rica

International Earth Day holds special significance in Costa Rica, a country that has positioned itself as a global environmental leader. Coastal communities organize beach cleanups, mangrove restoration projects, tree planting events, and environmental education activities. Jacó and Playa Hermosa typically host community beach cleanups in the morning, followed by environmental awareness activities. Local schools, conservation organizations, and tour operators participate. Many businesses offer eco-focused promotions and sustainable tourism messaging. A great opportunity for visitors to engage with Costa Rica's conservation culture and contribute to local environmental efforts.

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Labor Day (Día del Trabajo)

National public holiday celebrating workers and the labor movement. May 1st is a mandatory day off for most Costa Rican workers, with only essential services and tourism infrastructure operating. Banks, government offices, and many businesses close, while restaurants, tour operators, and beach-facing businesses remain open to serve locals enjoying a long weekend at the coast. Expect increased beach traffic from San José residents taking advantage of the three-day weekend (Saturday-Monday). Not a major tourism event, but a day to respect local culture and plan around potential closures.

Los Sueños Marina Village Farmers Market

Every Thursday • 3pm-7pm

Weekly community market at Marina Village bringing together local farmers, artisans, prepared food vendors, and live music. Fresh organic produce from the Central Valley highlands, locally caught fish, artisan breads, empanadas, tamales, tropical fruits, handmade crafts, and Costa Rican coffee. The market draws a mix of resort residents, yacht owners, tourists, and locals from Herradura and Jacó. Live acoustic music creates a festive evening atmosphere. Prices are more accessible than Marina Village restaurants, and the quality is consistently high. Cash preferred, though some vendors accept cards. Arrive early (3-4pm) for best selection; the market gets busier as the sun sets and the temperature cools.

Jacó Organic Farmers Market

Every Friday • 4pm-8pm

Weekly community market at Plaza Coral featuring local organic produce, artisan goods, prepared foods, and live music. One of the Central Pacific's best farmers markets, drawing vendors from surrounding mountain communities, local fishermen, bakers, and food artisans. Fresh vegetables, tropical fruits, grass-fed beef, fresh-baked sourdough, kombucha, honey, handmade jewelry, and ready-to-eat meals fill the stalls. The market has become a Friday evening social gathering spot for locals, expats, and visitors. Live music ranges from acoustic guitar to local bands. Bring reusable bags, cash (not all vendors take cards), and an appetite. Perfect for stocking vacation rental kitchens with fresh ingredients at a fraction of supermarket or restaurant costs.

Playa Hermosa Beach Cleanup

First Saturday of each month • 7am-9am

Monthly volunteer beach cleanup organized by local surf shops, conservation groups, and community members. Volunteers gather at the main beach access to collect trash, plastic, and debris from the sand and coastal vegetation. The cleanup protects the critical sea turtle nesting habitat and keeps the beach pristine for surfers and visitors. Coffee, trash bags, and gloves provided. Family-friendly event that welcomes tourists and locals. After the cleanup, many participants gather at local cafes for breakfast and socializing. A meaningful way to give back to the community and environment during your visit. Contact local surf shops or @ReservePlayaTortuga on Instagram for exact meeting location and updates.

Olive Ridley Turtle Nesting Season

Peak nesting season for olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) on the protected sections of Playa Hermosa. Female turtles crawl ashore at night between July and November to dig nests and lay 80-120 eggs each. Nesting activity peaks during new moon phases when beaches are darkest. Nighttime guided turtle-watching tours are available through licensed local conservation organizations; these tours follow strict protocols to minimize disturbance to nesting turtles. Baby turtle releases (liberaciones) typically occur in October and November, about 45-60 days after eggs are laid. Conservation groups monitor nests and announce releases via social media (@ReservePlayaTortuga on Instagram). Releases happen at dawn to give hatchlings the best chance of reaching the ocean safely. Participating in a turtle release is one of Costa Rica's most memorable wildlife experiences. Playa Hermosa's turtle program is community-led and scientifically managed, with portions of the beach roped off during nesting season to protect critical habitat.

Green Season Begins

May marks the transition from dry season to Costa Rica's 'green season' (what locals call the rainy season). Afternoon thunderstorms begin arriving with increasing frequency, typically between 2-5pm, bringing brief but intense downpours that cool temperatures and turn the landscape intensely green. Mornings remain sunny and clear, making this an excellent time for wildlife viewing, surfing, and beach activities before the afternoon rains. Tourism traffic drops significantly after Easter week, creating uncrowded beaches, lower accommodation rates (often 30-40% below high season), and a more relaxed local vibe. Surf swells increase in size and consistency. Rivers and waterfalls swell with fresh water. Sea turtle nesting begins in July, and transitional months like May see the last of dry-season visitors and the first of adventurous green-season travelers who appreciate the lush scenery and fewer crowds.

Offshore World Championship 2026

One of sportfishing's most prestigious events returns to Marina Pez Vela in Quepos for 2026, bringing together hundreds of teams from more than 40 countries across every hemisphere. The OWC uniquely invites both Champions (winners of qualifying events) and Challengers (open-entry teams) to compete, with private boats permitted and omni sonar use carrying adjusted scoring for fairness. Three days of intense offshore competition under strict IGFA rules with video verification for every catch, with teams able to depart from multiple Costa Rican marinas and all fish tallied at Marina Pez Vela. The championship rings, trophy, and extensive sponsor packages make this one of the most coveted titles in global billfishing.

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FEDESURF National Surf Circuit - Leg 2 (Santa Teresa)

Second stop of the 2026 Costa Rica National Surf Circuit at Santa Teresa de Cóbano, on the Puntarenas coast of the Nicoya Peninsula, approximately 2-3 hours from Jacó. The event awards 1,500 national ranking points across 19 competitive categories, from juniors to open divisions, drawing 150+ of Costa Rica's top surfers to Santa Teresa's world-class beach break. Finals broadcast live on Canal 6 (Grupo Repretel) from 9am-noon. Part of the FEDESURF calendar building toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics qualification pathway, sponsored by Banco LAFISE, Corona Cero, and Suzuki.

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Costa Rica 200 Ultramarathon

Epic 207-mile (335km) nonstop ultramarathon that starts on the Caribbean coast and finishes on the Pacific Ocean in Quepos, crossing the entire country through 15 microclimates, jungle trails, cloud forests, and volcanic terrain. The 2026 edition is part of the One Hundred Endurance World Championship series. Pre-race prologue (14km beach run) takes place April 26 in the Quepos area, with the main race launching April 27 via boat to the Caribbean start line. Elite runners converge in Quepos in late April to prepare for the challenge, and local businesses see increased activity leading up to and after the finish. A sister race, the 111km 'La Ruta Sukia', debuts on April 30 and also finishes in Quepos on May 2.

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Scarlet Macaw Nesting Season — Carara National Park

Peak nesting and breeding season for Costa Rica's iconic scarlet macaws (Ara macao) at Carara National Park, located just 15 minutes north of Jacó on the Costanera highway. From January through April, paired macaws nest in tree cavities and can be observed at dawn and dusk in spectacular flocks along the Tarcoles River estuary and the park's transitional forest. Carara sits in a unique ecological transition zone between dry and humid tropical forest, supporting one of the country's densest macaw populations. Early morning visits (6-9am) offer the best sightings as birds fly to feeding grounds. The adjacent Tarcoles River bridge is also one of the world's best spots to see American crocodiles year-round.

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North Pacific Humpback Whale Season

Annual migration of North Pacific humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) to the warm waters off Manuel Antonio and Quepos, where females give birth and nurse their calves from December through mid-March. This is the Central Pacific's first whale watching season of the year, with mother-calf pairs commonly spotted within a few miles of shore. Local tour operators run morning whale watching excursions from Marina Pez Vela, combining humpback sightings with spinner dolphin encounters and Manuel Antonio National Park scenery. Peak activity is January-February; by March the population is beginning its northward migration. A second humpback whale season from the Southern Hemisphere arrives July-October, making the Quepos coast a year-round whale watching destination.

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