San Joaquin in Christmas time

San Joaquín de Flores, The Costa Rican Town that Lights Up at Christmas

Every December, a small neighborhood in San Joaquín de Flores, transforms into a festive paradise to celebrate Christmas. For 28 years, the community in La Cruz del Norte has come together to decorate their homes with colorful lights and large ornaments, turning their streets into a destination for visitors from all over Costa Rica.

The event is more than just a visual spectacle. It’s a chance to experience Costa Rican Christmas traditions in all their splendor. Visitors can enjoy lively cimarronas (brass bands) and vibrant masquerades, both staples of local festivities. Of course, no celebration is complete without food—plenty of traditional Costa Rican dishes are available to savor.

Festive street in San Joaquín de Flores at night, featuring a glowing 'Feliz Navidad' sign, colorful holiday lights, and people enjoying the vibrant decorations
La Cruz del Norte Neighborhood

Getting to San Joaquín de Flores

San Joaquín de Flores is located between the cities of Alajuela and Heredia. The city is easily accessible, as it is located 7 km from the Juan Santamaría airport and only 14 kilometers from San José. Its central location facilitates access by various types of transportation, such as buses, cabs and even by train.

By Car

To drive down to San Joaquín de Flores from Alajuela or San José, the most common route is Route 1, also known as the General Cañas Highway. Another route is Route 3 which also joins Alajuela with Heredia and San José . Both routes are smooth and well-maintained but these are ones of the busiest roads in Costa Rica, especially on weekdays. Expect some traffic, particularly during rush hours from Monday to Friday.

Once you arrive in San Joaquín, finding parking can be a challenge, as there are no public parking lots in the area and you must park on the street. So it is best to arrive early to secure a spot. As more visitors arrive, traffic tends to slow down and available parking spaces become scarce. In past years, some neighbors with larger properties have offered paid parking spaces, but this is not guaranteed to be available every year. I only know of one neighbor who has been the most consistent over the years, which you can find marked on the tourist map for reference.

Nighttime scene in San Joaquín de Flores featuring a brightly lit train passing by a towering Christmas tree adorned with colorful lights and stars, surrounded by festive crowds.
Train Station in San Joaquín

By Public Transportation

If you are traveling from San Jose, there are direct buses to San Joaquín that run 1t an interval of 15 to 20 minutes on weekdays and every 30 to 40 minutes on weekends. The first bus starts its route early in the morning, between 5 and 6 a.m., and runs until 7 or 8 p.m.

Another option is the Tuasa bus service, which operates the Alajuela-Heredia-San José route and passes through San Joaquín. These buses are more frequent and run on a longer schedule, from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., making them a convenient choice for visitors coming from any of the three provinces. This route can be especially useful if you’re traveling outside of standard bus hours.

Cimarrona in San Joaquín’s Plaza

For a different experience, you can take the train to San Joaquín. The small train station in the town is located just 100 meters from La Cruz del Norte, making it a convenient option for visiting the Christmas decorations. However, train schedules are limited, operating only on weekdays during peak commuting hours—between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m., and again from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Apart from traveling via buses or train, you can also take Uber and cabs. Prices start at around 5,000 colones, but the price may still vary depending upon the time and traffic. Book taxis will prove to be a more expensive option than public buses, but it’s very convenient.

Living Nativity scene in San Joaquín de Flores with actors dressed as Mary and Joseph leading a donkey through a crowd, recreating the Christmas story during a nighttime event
Live Nativity Scenes

Entrance Fee & Opening Times

Visiting the Christmas decorations in San Joaquín de Flores doesn’t cost anything. The neighborhood is on public streets, and most activities are free to enjoy. However, it’s a good idea to bring some cash if you plan to buy food or handicrafts from local vendors, as many don’t accept cards.

The event typically runs from the last week of November and end in the first week of January. Every evening, the lights are turned on at 6 pm and the streets can be walked around, even late at night.

Table at a San Joaquín de Flores event displaying traditional food items, including homemade breads, custards, jellies, and bottles of rompope, all packaged and ready for sale
Costa Rican Typical Food

The History Behind It

The tradition of decorating the neighborhood in San Joaquín de Flores began in the 1990s. A small group of neighbors decided to brighten up their community for Christmas by decorating their homes with lights and setting up traditional Christmas portals. The neighborhood gets its name, “La Cruz del Norte,” from its layout—a cross-shaped area located north of the San Joaquín Catholic Church.

As the years passed, they began adding more elements to the festivities, including the sale of food. At first they only sold meat skewers and popcorn, but as more neighbors joined, the variety of food increased. These days, traditional treats like rice pudding, tamales, stuffed churros, sorbetera ice cream, and homemade bread and chocolates became part of the experience.

Many of the ornaments which are seen today are made by the neighbors. Particularly by a neighbor named Jorge Ramirez who is not only in charge of the decoration of his house but also of the decoration of the street. Talking with Don Jorge’s wife, she told me that Don Jorge designs, draws, creates and welds the Christmas figures. Once they are made, other neighbors help him decorate them with lights.
Don Jorge’s house is one of the best illuminated and his wife told me that every year he designs different figures and he climbs up to the roof to install them.

House in San Joaquín de Flores decorated with intricate Christmas lights depicting a village scene, including a church, trees, a train, and festive designs, with visitors seated and admiring the display

As the event grew, the organization also improved. The neighbors began coordinating with the municipality to include other activities, like living nativity scenes featuring farm animals that children could interact with. Over the years, more events were added, such as food festivals with food trucks, Christmas tree lightings, concerts, and fireworks. These additions made the celebration more enjoyable for visitors and helped attract people from outside the community.

I have lived in San Joaquin de Flores since I was a child, and I remember when this event was rather modest. When I went with my family, we would just go to see the lights and sometimes we could go into the houses to see the “Portales” o “Pasitos”, as we call the Nativity Scene , these were the main stars. There were hardly any food stands, and there was not the hustle and bustle as we know it today. It’s impressive to see how this small neighborhood activity has turned into a tradition not only within this community but also by people from all over the country.

Elaborate Nativity scene in San Joaquín de Flores featuring figurines of the Holy Family, shepherds, animals, and the Magi, set among lush greenery, miniature buildings, and decorative lights.
Nativity Scene in La Cruz del Norte

Tips for Visiting

  • Be patient and expect traffic, especially on holidays and weekends, as the area gets very busy during the event.
  • It is also advisable to arrive at the site as early as possible where necessary so that one can find parking space or not have to deal with so many people.
  • Bring an umbrella or waterproof jacket, as there may still be occasional rain at the end of the rainy season.
  • Pack a sweater, as December nights in San Joaquín are cooler and often windy.
  • Keep an eye on your belongings and avoid leaving items unattended in crowded areas.
  • Carry cash, as most vendors selling food or crafts do not accept credit cards.
Fireworks light up the night sky over a crowd gathered in front of the church in San Joaquín de Flores, creating a festive and vibrant atmosphere.
Fireworks in San Joaquín
San Joaquín Catholic Church

San Joaquín Tourist Map

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