Inconveniences This Week: Holiday Closures and Alcohol Bans

Spring travel is underway and many of our car rental customers are already out enjoying their Spring Holiday vacations.  While most restaurants and tourist destinations will appear to be completely unaffected by holidays, it is important to note that certain business and services may not be available this week leading up to Easter Sunday, known as Semana Santa in Spanish-speaking countries.

Alcohol

Does your Spring car rental destination prohibit the sale of alcohol during some or all of Easter week?  The sale of alcohol is prohibited on Good Friday in the Republic of Ireland, and for three whole days throughout most of Costa Rica; beginning midnight Wednesday and lasting until midnight Saturday.  However, the law in Costa Rica changed last year, allowing each region to decide make the decision if alcohol sales would continue through Semana Santa.  A list of the areas rejecting the traditional ban in Costa Rica can be found in the Tico Times.

Banking, Health, and Security

Finding the ATM closed when you need more cash to fund your vacation can be really inconvenient!  Plan ahead and find out what days will be official bank holidays in your car rental destinations this Spring.  Some smaller banks traditionally take the entire week off, while most others will be closed on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  Many elective and supportive health services, as well as security services that you may expect to be available will also be on holiday.  Public hospitals will be operating with a reduced staff, though the emergency, pharmacy, lab services, and maternity units typically stay open and available to accept patients.