The Fiesta de los Diablitos, or Festival of the Little Devils, is a four-day Indigenous celebration held every year from December 30 to January 2 in Boruca, a village in southern Costa Rica. Masked “devils” battle a man-powered bull that stands for the Spanish conquerors, and the bull is burned on the last day.
The Boruca (also called Brunca) people have staged some version of this ritual for close to 500 years. It’s open to the public, and a neighboring community, Rey Curré, holds its own version in late January or early February. This guide explains what the festival means, what happens each day, and how to visit respectfully.
| Fiesta de los Diablitos | At a glance |
|---|---|
| What it means | “Festival of the little devils”; also called the Juego or Danza de los Diablitos |
| Where | Boruca village, Boruca Indigenous Territory, Buenos Aires canton, Puntarenas |
| When | December 30 at midnight to January 2, every year |
| Second festival | Rey Curré (Yímba), late January or early February; dates vary |
| Cost | Free to watch; photo permits are sold during the Boruca festival |
| From San José | About 5 hours by car; the last stretch is a rough, partly unpaved road |
The meaning
What Does Fiesta de los Diablitos Mean?
Fiesta de los Diablitos translates as “festival of the little devils.” The name comes from the Spanish, who called the Indigenous people who resisted conversion “devils.” The Boruca took the insult and turned it into a symbol of pride. In the ritual, the diablitos represent the Boruca, and the toro (bull) represents the Spanish invaders.
The festival retells the conquest with a different ending. The devils fight the bull for days, fall and rise again, and finally defeat it. That victory is a statement about survival: the Boruca kept their land, their crafts and their identity when many other groups did not.
Photo: Tico Times
Day by day
What Happens at the Fiesta de los Diablitos
- December 30, midnight: an elder blows a conch shell to call the diablitos together. Masked men then come down into the village with drums and flutes, and the party runs through the night.
- December 31 and January 1: the bull appears. It’s a costume of burlap over a wooden frame with a carved bull’s head, and men take turns inside it. The bull charges the diablitos as the group moves house to house through the village. Devils are “killed” and come back to life.
- January 2: the diablitos finally overpower the bull. In a last melee, they bring it down, cover it with kindling and set it on fire. Celebrations carry on into the night.
Throughout the festival, families make and share chicha, a fermented corn drink, along with tamales and other food. Chicha is strong, and many participants drink it from morning to night.
The masks
The Boruca People and Their Diablito Masks
The Boruca Indigenous Territory covers about 138 square kilometers in the hills of Buenos Aires canton, south of the town of Buenos Aires and a few miles from the Pan-American Highway. A few thousand Boruca live in the territory. Spanish is the everyday language; the Brunca language has only a handful of fluent elderly speakers, and the local school teaches it to children. The Boruca are one of Costa Rica’s eight recognized Indigenous peoples; for another, see our guide to the Maleku people.
Crafts are central to life here, and most residents take part in some form of artisan work. The diablito masks are the best known. Each is carved by hand from a single piece of balsa or cedar. Older masks were often left unpainted; today most are painted in bright colors and show jungle animals, birds, faces or devils. Boruca weavers also make textiles on back-strap looms, using natural dyes from plants and sea snails.
Masks worn during the festival are sometimes sold afterward. If you want one, buying directly in Boruca puts the most money in the carver’s hands. Read more in our guide to Boruca masks, and see our list of Costa Rica souvenirs for other handmade crafts.
Rey Curré
The Juego de los Diablitos in Rey Curré
The neighboring Rey Curré (Yímba) community holds its own Juego de los Diablitos each year in late January or early February. It follows the same story, from the midnight “birth” of the diablitos to the burning of the bull on the last afternoon. Recent editions ran January 25 to 28, 2024, and January 30 to February 2, 2025.
Curré sits closer to the Pan-American Highway, about 25 minutes from Palmar Norte and Buenos Aires, which makes it easier to reach than Boruca. Entry is free. The community has no hotels, so organizers suggest staying in Buenos Aires, Palmar Norte or Térraba. Dates change each year, so check the program from Costa Rica’s Ministry of Culture before you plan around it.
Visiting
How to Visit the Fiesta de los Diablitos
Getting to Boruca
- By car: about 5 hours from San José via San Isidro de El General and the Pan-American Highway toward Buenos Aires. The final climb to Boruca is steep and partly unpaved, and a 4×4 is strongly recommended. See our guide to driving in Costa Rica.
- By bus: local buses run from the town of Buenos Aires to Boruca a couple of times a day, and taxis make the trip from Buenos Aires as well. Schedules change, so confirm locally.
- From the coast: Boruca is closer to the southern Pacific beaches than to San José. If you’re staying around Dominical or Uvita, plan an overnight rather than a day trip. See our Dominical guide.
Where to stay
Boruca has a few rustic cabinas and family homestays, which fill up fast for the festival. Book well ahead through the community’s tourism contacts, or stay in Buenos Aires or Palmar Norte and drive in. Expect simple rooms and shared meals in the village.
Etiquette and tips
- Buy a photo permit. During the Boruca festival, the community sells photography permits, and the money goes back to the village. Ask before photographing people up close.
- Treat it as a ceremony. You’re a guest at a ritual that matters deeply to the community. Stay out of the action unless invited.
- Bring cash. Carry colones for food, crafts and permits; don’t count on cards in the village.
- Pack for heat and dust. It’s the dry season: bring a hat, sunscreen, water and closed shoes.
- Visit the museum. The small community museum in the village center covers Boruca history and crafts and sells signed work by local artisans.
Spending the holidays in Costa Rica? See our guides to Christmas in Costa Rica, the Fiestas de Zapote and the January Palmares festival, plus our overviews of traditional dances and folklore and Costa Rica’s celebrations and holidays.
Good to know
Fiesta de los Diablitos FAQ
What does Fiesta de los Diablitos mean?
It means “festival of the little devils.” The Spanish called the Indigenous people who resisted them devils, and the Boruca adopted the name. In the ritual, the diablitos represent the Boruca and the bull represents the Spanish.
When is the Fiesta de los Diablitos?
In Boruca, every year from midnight on December 30 to January 2. The Rey Curré version takes place in late January or early February, with dates that change each year.
Where is the Fiesta de los Diablitos held?
In the village of Boruca, in the Boruca Indigenous Territory in Buenos Aires canton, Puntarenas, in southern Costa Rica. A second festival is held in nearby Rey Curré.
Can tourists attend the Fiesta de los Diablitos?
Yes. The festival is open to the public and free to watch. Photo permits are sold in Boruca, and visitors are expected to keep a respectful distance from the ritual.
What happens to the bull at the end?
On the final day, the diablitos overpower the bull, cover it with kindling and burn it, which symbolizes the Boruca’s victory over the Spanish.
What are Boruca masks made of?
Each mask is hand-carved from a single piece of balsa or cedar, then usually painted in bright colors with animals, faces or devils.
The short version
The Fiesta de los Diablitos runs December 30 to January 2 in Boruca, with a second version in Rey Curré in late January or early February.
Masked devils fight and finally burn a bull that stands for the Spanish conquest.
It’s free and open to visitors; book lodging early, buy a photo permit and keep clear of the bull.