No Liquor. Banks Closed. A Time To Relax. That is Semana Santa
For many, Semana Santa began last Friday. However, the real holiday is Thursday and Friday, two days where everything is closed, including the sale of liquor, beer and wine.

Beginning at midnight tonight (Wednesday), all bars will be "taped up" - the traditional placing of a tape over the doors of a bar or liquor cabinets of restaurants and sections of supermarkets - to prohibit the sale of alcohol until midnight Friday night. Effectively, bars, restaurants and supermarkets will resume the sale of alcohol on Saturday.

Critics say the law is archaic and outdate to today's modern times. The sale of liquor, beer and wine increases as much as 20% today, according to retailers and some legislators, who say are being realistic, people are still going to during during Jueves and Viernes Santo (Good Thursday and Good Friday) and the get behind the wheel of their vehicle with tragic consequences.

Ricardo Toledo of the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC) who was Ministro de la Presidencia for the current government until resigning to run for president in the February 2006 elections, spearheaded a move following the election to change the "Ley Seca" but did not get the bill through the Legislature in time.

Beginning tomorrow all banks - state and private - and financial institutions will be closed. The banks will reopen on Tuesday morning. Only Automated Teller Machines (ATM'S) will be available for cash withdrawls.

Most businesses will be closed until Tuesday as well. Many retail shops will be closed for Thursday and Friday, however, malls will be open. Downtown San José will feel deserted over the next several days as many take advantage of the beaches and mountain resorts. Thos who could not leave the city will be at the many parks around town, principally the Parque La Sabana.

Many bus routes will not operate Thursday and Friday and those that do will be on holiday schedule. For instance, buses to and from Grecia will not operate, while the number of buses operating to and from Alajuela and Heredia will be reduced. Fewer buses will mean longer waiting times.

Hospitals and emergency clinics will be open, however, will have a reduced staff. Fewer taxis will be on hand to provide service.

Semana Santa is traditionally a time for reflection and spending with family. However, in Costa Rica today, it is a time for vacation. This year Semana Santa is one day longer than normal, as the Aniversario de la Batalla de Rivas - a national holiday - fell during Semana Santa. The holiday is being celebrated on Monday, adding one more day to the vacation.