Costa Rica celebrates Juan Santamaría Day
Costa Rica, lacking an army since 1948, doesn’t have many war heroes. The most notable exception is Juan Santamaría, a poor drummer boy from Alajuela.
Celebrated every year on April 11, Juan Santamaría Day commemorates the Costa Rican victory in the Battle of Rivas in 1856 against the U.S. citizen William Walker and his mercenary army.
Thursday is a day of celebration in Alajuela and across Costa Rica. But what was Walker doing here in the first place? What was mid-1800s life like in Costa Rica?
And what do we know about Santamaría himself? Check out the stories below for answers:
Who was Juan Santamaría? Five (debated) things you should know
Life in Juan Santamaría’s Costa Rica: A look back
If you want to learn more about Juan Santamaría and Costa Rican history, Museo Histórico Cultural Juan Santamaría in downtown Alajuela is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free.
This story was made possible thanks to The Tico Times 5% Club. If only 5 percent of our readers donated at least $5 a month, we’d have our operating costs covered and could focus on bringing you more original reporting from around Costa Rica. We work hard to keep our reporting independent and groundbreaking, but we can only do it with your help. Join The Tico Times 5% Club and help make stories like this one possible.
You may be interested
Photos: Go Skateboarding Day in Costa Rica
The Tico Times - June 23, 2019Friday was worldwide Go Skateboarding Day, and skateboarders in Costa Rica were happy to oblige. Here are our favorite photos…
Slothy Sunday: Saving sloths together
Sam Trull / Co-Founder and Director of The Sloth Institute - June 23, 2019The first time I met Leslie Howle, the founder of Toucan Rescue Ranch, we were at a wildlife conference in…
From Río San Juan to San José: A Nicaraguan refugee in Costa Rica tells his story (Part 2)
Jacob Spetzler - June 22, 2019Nelson Jesus Zeas Paz, 25, is one of the 55,000 Nicaraguan refugees and exiles who have fled to Costa Rica. …
