It’s almost Halloween! That means people in the U.S. are beginning to make final touches to their costumes, buying them last minute, or just waiting until Halloween is over for some discounted candy. However, being abroad is different as not every country celebrates Halloween quite the same as the U.S. In Costa Rica Halloween is less a day for trick-or-treating and more so a day for young adults to dress-up, go to parties, and drink. Walking around the past month, I’ve literally seen no signs of Halloween except for a decorate car (see below) and stores that are selling your traditional sexy Halloween costumes. So, to learn more about how exactly Halloween functions, I’ve decided to interview a couple of my friends here, Pablo and Jazmín, at La Universidad Nacional en Heredia, Costa Rica.
Car decorated for Halloween outside a store selling costumes close to la UNA. Photo by April Vollmer.
What is Halloween to you?
Jazmín: It’s a day where people wear costumes, watch horror movies, and tell scary stories, but I think in Costa Rica it’s much more commercial than a celebration. Also, Halloween is just like another normal day for me.
Pablo: Halloween doesn’t mean anything to me, as it is not a celebration from my own culture. It is not a celebration that I grew up with, but it is considered a fun activity to celebrate among young adults in Costa Rica.
How popular is Halloween in your community?
Jazmín: It’s more popular than years before because nowadays teenagers like to organize costume parties, but I think it’s not so popular.
Pablo: This celebration is known by everyone from globalization, but again, here it is mostly celebrated by young adults.
Do you celebrate Halloween? If so, how?
Jazmín: I don’t celebrate Halloween.
Pablo: I do celebrate Halloween, but my mom hates it. The first time I celebrated it was last year by going to a house party of a classmate and drinking and dancing.
Pablo’s selfie dressed up for Halloween as “Katrina,” the representation of death in Mexican culture.
Do children go trick-or-treating? Do they wear costumes?
Jazmín: Children never go trick-or-treating, but there are some schools and high schools where they can wear costumes!
Pablo: No, it unusual for people here to do that kind of thing.
What do you like about Halloween the most?
Jazmín: I like Halloween parties because people can wear costumes.
Pablo: I like that Halloween is a time to get dressed up, drink, party with friends, and maybe kiss people. :3 Also, it’s my homie’s birthday! :)