The faithful people of Santa Cruz are a few weeks away from enjoying processions, oxherder parades, bull rides, fireworks, clowns, marimbas, concerts, horse parades and other traditional activities to honor the Santo Cristo of Esquipulas (Black Christ of Esquipulas).

The celebration starts on January 15th, and is one of the most popular festivities in Costa Rica because it gathers the essence of the Costa Rican folklore.

The event will cover an area of 9 hectares, divided in three sectors: the church, the park Los Mangos and behind the marketplace.

The people of Santa Cruz are faithful to the Santo Cristo of Esquipulas since the XIX century, extending to other towns as time has passed by, and today there are thousands of people that celebrate the life of the Black Christ. This tradition is also celebrated in the rest of Central America.

This Black Christ is an image of a crucified Jesus, worshiped by millions of people in Central America. In the city of Esquipulas, Guatemala, there’s an image of this Christ in the Basilica of the same name.

With a menu full of activities, Santa Cruz expects to satisfy all those who are spending these days with them, with the streets filled with music of marimbas, its arenas crowded with daring riders and the community filled with happiness.

If you’re going to these celebrations, remember that the Hotel Parque del Lago is you entrance and exit door to the country, with a perfect location that promotes the culture of Costa Rica.