The dance is a celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe, which takes place in Nicoya.

La Yeguita, which means The Little Mare, is a traditional folkloric dance that is performed in Costa Rica on every 12th of December. It wasn’t until the 2000’s until this dance was eventually given folkloric dance status and is now part of Costa Rica’s identity.

What makes this dance even more unique is that the traditional dance community looked down on this dance and at one point during the 1970’s, was even prohibited in many dance halls in Costa Rica. The dance steps were of course, adjusted to suit Costa Rica’s traditional music. This dance unique to Costa Rica is actually derived from the popular swing dances of the United States. Suin Criollo, otherwise known as Swing Criollo, is a traditional dance that is relatively younger than the other folkloric dances. The bright colors of the costumes as they flare about alongside the energetic music and the racy rhymed verses is meant to represent the flamboyant way Costa Ricans would go about flirting. The men will then follow suit, whilst fanning their hats, waving their scarves, and even shout out verses. They begin dancing around the room, with the women’s skirts flaring and waving as they dance with their respective partners. The dancers form a circle, with the men surrounding the women. The dance itself is meant to reflect the traditional rites of courtship amongst young men and women. Punto Guanacasteco is considered to be Costa Rica’s most popular traditional dance, so much so that many consider it to be the country’s national dance. Here are some of the most popular folkloric dances in Costa Rica 1. You’ll see them being performed during celebrations and festivals, and in tandem with their very colorful costumes, are a feast for the eyes. Costa Rica’s Traditional Folkloric DancesĬosta Rica’s folkloric dances are very entertaining to look at and are very festive. This eventually amalgamated into the traditional dances Costa Rica has today, each steeped in the centuries-worth of history, culture, and legends of the land. Even the African slaves that the Europeans brought over added their own influence. Some of the older dances were developed by pre-Columbian natives older than even the Aztecs.Įventually, when the Spanish did colonize Costa Rica, they added their own flavor to the music that accompanied these dances. Although many of their folkloric dances have European and African influence, these traditions go back for hundreds of years, even before the Spanish first landed on Costa Rica’s shores. Costa Ricans are no exception to this rule. It may sound a bit stereotypical, but people living in Latin America not only love to dance but are pretty good at it. The History of Costa Rica’s Folkloric Dances Watching any one of these Costa Rica Folkloric dances is both fun and educational so here is a brief look into Costa Rica’s traditional dances and folklore, what they represent and how they came to be. Traditional folkloric dancing in Costa Rica is a way to pass on its people’s culture and traditions, It not only is wonderful expression of Costa Rica but is also a way of telling a story. They all tell a story about the history of Costa Rica and its people.Įvery culture in the world has their own folkloric dance, and Costa Rica is no exception to this. The traditional Costa Rica dances and folklore are Punto Guanacasteco, Suin Criollo La Yeguita Diabloe and Chorotega.

Rico tico in suit