Public Holiday in Costa Rica in 2026
According to Article 105 of the Political Constitution, the constitutional presidential term begins on this day, when the new president must take office. Since it falls on a Friday, it opens the possibility of a long weekend for a specific segment of the population.
Although the Labor Code does not recognize May 8th as a holiday for the private sector, political tradition dictates that the outgoing government declares a day off for public employees. This measure aims to facilitate citizen participation in the democratic process and allow families to follow the official ceremonies of the transfer of power, an event that brings government offices to a standstill.
