San Mateo Day: A Celebration at the Heart of Our Canton

Every September, San Mateo comes alive for one of the most important celebrations of the year. This is a tradition that connects faith, family, neighbors and the history of the place we call home.

For those who are new to the area, September 21 may look like another date on the calendar. For generations of local families, however, the celebration of San Mateo Apóstol has been part of the cultural and religious identity of the canton.

San Mateo takes its name from Saint Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist, whose feast day is celebrated on September 21. The local Catholic Church at the center of town is called Parroquia San Mateo. It dates to 1856, making the tradition surrounding the parish and its patron saint part of a history stretching back more than 170 years.

But San Mateo Day is about more than its religious origins. Like many patronal celebrations throughout Costa Rica, the festivities have become an occasion for people to come together. Neighbors and families spending the day together, local businesses welcoming visitors, and traditions being passed from one generation to the next.

For those of us living at Ecovilla San Mateo, the celebration is also a reminder that our village is part of a much larger place.

We may live among the forests and hills just outside town, but our home is San Mateo. The roads we travel, the businesses we frequent, the people who work alongside us and the families whose roots here extend back generations, are all part of the life of this canton.

Participating in local celebrations is one small way to become more connected to that life. It is an opportunity to leave our gates, experience a Costa Rican tradition close to home, meet our neighbors, and better understand the history and culture of the place we have chosen to live.

And if you have never experienced San Mateo Day before, this year is a wonderful time to start.

There will be plenty of food, music and festivities to enjoy. Say hello to someone you recognize. Meet someone you don’t. Sometimes becoming part of a place begins with simply showing up.

¡Feliz Día de San Mateo!

(The schedule of events have not yet been officially published, but we will be sure to share details once available.)