Dia de Guanacaste in Costa Rica: the history of a voluntary choiceJuly 25th is a day when Costa Rica celebrates one of its most significant national holidays. The Day of Guanacaste, also known as the Day of Nicoya's Annexation, is not just a date on the calendar; it is a reminder that the country owes its territory not to conquests, but to the free will of people who wanted to become part of it. This festival holds a profound meaning that shapes the national identity of Costa Ricans.Historical basis: how Guanacaste became part of Costa RicaAt the beginning of the 19th century, after gaining independence from Spain, the lands of modern Central America were part of the Federal Republic of Central America. The territory that is now the province of Guanacaste belonged to Nicaragua at the time, bordering the northern part of Costa Rica. However, the political situation was unstable: Nicaragua was engulfed in civil wars, while Costa Rica appeared to be a more stable and peaceful state.The residents of the three largest cities of Guanacaste — Nicoya, Santa Cruz, and Liberia — began open discussions about their future. As a result, a referendum was called to decide the fate of the region. The voting showed division: the residents of Nicoya and Santa Cruz voted for annexation to Costa Rica, while Liberia spoke out for maintaining ties with Nicaragua. However, the overall result was in favor of annexation.On July 25, 1824, the Central American Federal Republic passed a corresponding law that officially allowed the province of Guanacaste to become part of the territory of Costa Rica. This event laid the foundation for the festival that is celebrated annually on July 25.Meaning of the festival: the will of the people as the main valueThe main meaning of the Day of Guanacaste lies in the fact that this territory became part of Costa Rica not as a result of military actions or coercion, but through the voluntary choice of its residents. The residents of Guanacaste, known as Guana ... Read more