FIESTA DE JUAN SANTAMARIA

Celebration of the hero Juan Santamaría in Alajuela. National hero of the Republic of Costa Rica, Juan Santamaría is famous for having fought against William Walker's troops during the war against the American freebooters. He lost his life on April 11, 1856, at the age of 24, to William Walker's men in his hometown, Alajuela. This day of commemoration was declared a public holiday in Costa Rica, and many businesses and services are closed on this day. Several parades are organized in the city of Alajuela.