One of the most popular Christmas traditions in Costa Rica is making tamales.

This delicious typical dish – prepared almost exclusively in December to eat during the year-end parties and celebrations – comes from a millennial tradition. Tamales are made with a corn base dough called masa and usually filled with pork, rice, and vegetables.

Making and cooking tamales is generally an activity which involves the participation of all family members.

It is a slow, careful and laborious process. As some family members prepare the corn dough, others will be chopping and mincing additional ingredients and yet others will be preparing the plantain leaves and strings that will be used to wrap the tamales for steaming.

Grandmothers and mothers will teach granddaughters and daughters how to make tamales; making sure the tradition is kept alive. All through the month of December no Costa Rican home will be found without tamales.

It might seem as if they don’t get tired of eating them; some, even three or four times a day! They are eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner and they are absolutely fundamental for coffee break time. During the season, invitations to eat tamales at friends’ and relatives’ homes are common.

If you are lucky enough to be here during the month of December I’d encourage you to get in the Christmas spirit and at least try one.

For more information about condos, homes and land for sale in the beach town of Jaco and surrounding areas please contact our Recommended Realtors in Jaco Shawn Fletcher and his wife Hannah Fletcher using the simple form below:

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.