September 15: Honoring the Country We Call Home
Article and Art by Staff Writer Claudia
Today, Costa Rica joins Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua in celebrating 205 years of independence from Spain. All five share September 15 as Independence Day, a reminder of their connected histories.
San Mateo, Costa Rica
A lively local celebration taking place today in the town square directly across from the church.
On this date in 1821, Central America declared independence from Spanish rule. The five countries did not immediately become the separate republics we know today. They later formed a regional federation, which began dissolving in 1838 as each followed its own path. September 15 commemorates their shared break from colonial rule and the beginning of that journey toward self-government.
For me, this day also holds personal meaning. In the years following independence, some of my Spanish ancestors settled in Guatemala and Costa Rica. My grandfather was born in Costa Rica, and my parents were born in Guatemala. I am grateful for those roots and for the opportunity to call this region home today. Living here connects my family’s past with the life we are building, and makes celebrating alongside our Costa Rican neighbors especially meaningful.
For our community at Ecovilla San Mateo, where most of us come from other countries, this day also carries meaning. We arrived with our own traditions, languages, and ideas about how communities should work. We also chose to make our homes in a country with a history and identity that long precede our arrival. Independence Day offers an opportunity to deepen that connection: to ask Costa Rican neighbors what the holiday means to them, learn alongside our children, and take part in local celebrations.
The holiday also invites reflection on how we build ESM. Respect for Costa Rica’s people, laws, culture, and institutions belongs at the heart of our village. Listening to local knowledge, supporting nearby businesses, learning Spanish, and building friendships beyond our community are everyday ways to put that respect into practice.
¡Feliz Día de la Independencia to Costa Rica and to our Central American neighbors celebrating today!