The Christmas Paperwork Trap: What Closes & What Doesn’t

Christmas in Costa Rica does not bring urgency or disorder—but it does bring a real administrative pause that many expats misunderstand. While daily life remains calm and functional, government offices are effectively closed from Dec. 20 through Jan. 4, even though only two days are official public holidays.

Understanding what truly closes, what slows, and what continues operating lets you plan responsibly—and avoid frustration in January.

How Christmas Really Works in Costa Rica

Costa Rica treats Christmas as a family-centered, year-end transition, not a productivity sprint. The slowdown is cultural, predictable, and widely respected.

From mid-December onward:

• Staffing drops sharply
• Decision-makers step away
• Files pause instead of closing
• January fills quickly with backlogs

This rhythm repeats every year.

Government Offices: Closed in Practice Dec. 20–Jan. 4

Although Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 are the only official holidays, most Costa Rican government offices are effectively closed from Dec. 20 through Jan. 4.

From Dec. 20 to Jan. 4, plan as if government filings are on hold.
If something is time-sensitive, it should be completed before Dec. 20 or deliberately planned for after Jan. 4.

During this period:

• In-person submissions are typically not available
• Reviews and approvals do not occur
• Files do not advance in any meaningful way

Most affected institutions

• Migración (immigration and residency matters)
• Registro Nacional (property and corporate filings)
• Municipal offices
• Ministries and regulatory agencies

This functions as a year-end administrative recess, not a slowdown.

Banks: Open, but Operating Carefully

Banks remain open through the holidays, but with:

• Reduced hours
• Limited senior staff
• Slower compliance reviews
• Delayed international transfers

If you are expecting:

• Wire transfers
• Account openings
• Compliance confirmations

Allow extra time and avoid last-minute assumptions.

Notaries, Lawyers, and Professional Offices

Most professional offices remain open, but operate with rotating or reduced staff.

Typical December realities:

• Fewer signing appointments
• Senior professionals on staggered vacation
• Non-urgent matters deferred
• New projects scheduled for January

This is normal and expected.

What Continues to Function During Christmas

While government offices pause, private and automated systems continue:

• Banks remain operational
• Online tax and fee platforms remain accessible
• Appointment scheduling for January continues
• Email communication continues, though slowly

Think of late December as a planning window, not a completion window.

What Expats Should Not Leave Until January

This is where mistakes are most common.

Try to complete before Dec. 20:

• Matters tied to an expiring entry stamp
• Residency trámite follow-ups requiring government review
• Bank compliance requests with deadlines
• Corporate obligations due early January
• Municipal or registry filings with penalties

Waiting does not usually invalidate a process—but it often pushes completion well into February.

Why January Feels So Busy

January is one of the busiest administrative months in Costa Rica:

• Backlogs clear
• New filings surge
• Appointments fill quickly
• Offices restart at full pace

Tasks postponed in December rarely resolve immediately in early January.

A Smarter Way to Approach Christmas in Costa Rica

A Costa Rican Christmas rewards:

• Calm preparation
• Early filing
• Respect for the pause
• January planning done in advance

Costa Rica doesn’t stop—it steps back deliberately.

Learning that rhythm is part of settling in successfully.

Christmas in Costa Rica is not about rushing or catching up. It is about timing, order, and awareness. Know what closes, accept the pause, and plan around it. Do that, and January becomes manageable instead of stressful.