Costa Rica holidays left in 2026 and how they are paid
The remaining public holidays: December 1, Christmas and New Year's Day. Which are mandatory paid holidays, when you get double pay and what to do if you are not paid correctly.
The year is almost over, but there are still public holidays left in Costa Rica: two in December and January 1. They aren't all paid the same way. Here's what to know, whether or not you work those days.
Remaining holidays
| Date | Holiday | Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, December 1 | Army Abolition Day | Not mandatory |
| Friday, December 25 | Christmas | Mandatory |
| Friday, January 1, 2027 | New Year's Day | Mandatory |
Christmas and New Year's Day fall on Fridays, so there will be two long weekends in a row. December 24 and 31 aren't holidays: they're regular workdays unless the employer decides otherwise. Banks and government offices may have reduced hours.
How is a holiday paid?
- Mandatory paid holiday (December 25 and January 1): if you don't work, you're paid anyway. If you work, you're entitled to double pay for that day.
- Non-mandatory paid holiday (December 1): if you work, you're paid a regular day. If you don't work and you're paid weekly or by the day, the employer doesn't have to pay it. If you're paid monthly, the day is already included in your salary.
- An employer can ask you to work a holiday, but must pay it under these rules.
Example: if your daily wage is ₡20,000 and you work on December 25, you must be paid ₡40,000 for that day.
What if I'm not paid correctly?
Check your pay stub. If a mandatory holiday you worked wasn't paid double, you can ask or file a complaint with the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS) at mtss.go.cr or on line 800-TRABAJO.
Before the year ends
- The private-sector aguinaldo must be paid by December 20.
- The marchamo is due December 31.
- The Gordo Navideño is drawn on Sunday, December 20.
This article is for information only and doesn't replace guidance from the Ministry of Labor or a labor lawyer.