Palm Sunday brought large crowds to Cartago on Sunday as Catholics gathered at the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles for Masses, blessings of palm branches, and the start of Holy Week observances in one of Costa Rica’s most important religious centers. The date also marks the beginning of Semana Santa in 2026, with Easter falling on April 5.
The basilica remains a focal point of faith in Costa Rica because it is the national shrine dedicated to Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, the country’s patron saint. Palm Sunday services in Cartago traditionally recall the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, and this year’s program included Eucharistic celebrations and the blessing of palms as worshippers moved through the area around the sanctuary.
Church and local authorities have also been preparing for continued activity in Cartago through the rest of Holy Week. Municipal officials said areas around the basilica will receive special service coverage during the week, including sanitation operations in the surrounding sectors, as the city handles the higher flow of visitors tied to religious events.
Transport this year appears more mixed than usual. While road access and bus travel between San José and Cartago continue, rail service will not be available during most of Holy Week because INCOFER announced a total suspension of passenger routes from March 30 through April 3 as part of bridge works in the Greater Metropolitan Area. That means many visitors heading to Cartago for services later in the week will need to rely on buses, private vehicles, or other road transport.
Palm Sunday in Cartago once again showed the strength of a tradition that remains deeply rooted in Costa Rican life. With processions and liturgical events continuing across the country through Easter Sunday, the basilica is expected to remain one of the main gathering points for worshippers during the most solemn week on the Catholic calendar.
