Rawayana Plays Costa Rica on 12 December 2026

COSTA RICA · CONCERT

The Grammy-winning Venezuelan band brings its postponed Costa Rica show to a December Saturday near the capital. Tickets bought for June still work, and refunds close on 1 November.

Rawayana, the Venezuelan band that won a Grammy in 2025, plays Parque Viva in La Guácima, Alajuela, on Saturday, 12 December 2026. The show starts at 7 p.m. local time, which is 8 p.m. US Eastern.

The date replaces a June concert that the band postponed after deadly earthquakes in Venezuela. For US visitors, the venue sits about 18 minutes by road from Juan Santamaría International Airport, the main gateway near San José.

Why Rawayana Matters to US Fans

Rawayana won the 2025 Grammy for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album with ¿Quién trae las cornetas?, the Recording Academy says. The category sits within the main Grammy Awards in the United States, not the separate Latin Grammys.

The band brings its ¿Dónde es el after? tour, a party-focused show, according to the Costa Rican paper El Observador. The paper lists Feriado, High, Sin Ti and Binikini among the songs fans know best.

El Observador also says the band played Costa Rica in 2023, so December marks a return visit. The concert lands in the busy year-end season, when many US visitors are already in the country.

Why the Show Moved From June

The concert was first set for Saturday, 27 June 2026, at 7 p.m., with general ticket sales from March. On Thursday, 25 June, the band and the show’s producers moved it to 12 December, citing solidarity with the Venezuelan people.

Costa Rican outlets CRHoy and Teletica linked the move to the deadly earthquakes that struck Venezuela in late June. The band’s statement, as quoted by CRHoy, ended: “Hoy nuestro corazón está con Venezuela; de esta nos levantamos.”

In English, that means its heart was with Venezuela and the country would rise from this. CRHoy reported that the band also postponed a concert in Panama for the same reason.

The notice on eticket says current tickets remain valid for the new date. Buyers who still plan to attend need to take no further step.

Buyers who cannot make 12 December can ask for a refund through a BAC Credomatic form linked from eticket. The deadline is Sunday, 1 November 2026, and late requests will not be accepted.

Refunds go back to the card used for the purchase, and only whole orders are refunded, not part of one. BAC cards receive the money in three to five days, while other banks follow their own timelines.

Tickets and Prices in US Dollars

The official seller is eticket.cr, which lists prices in Costa Rican colones with service charges included. Conversions here use the open.er-api.com rate of CRC 455.96 per US dollar on 15 October 2026.

The cheapest ticket is standing room on the lawn, called Gramilla, at CRC 35,000 (about US$77). Standing terraces A and B cost CRC 38,000 (about US$83), and the 500 Especial section costs CRC 40,000 (about US$88).

Side seats cost CRC 45,000 (about US$99) in the 500 sections and CRC 50,000 (about US$110) in the 400 sections. Central seats in both the 400 and 500 blocks cost CRC 60,000 (about US$132).

The top tier, Golden Circle, costs CRC 85,000 (about US$186). Every tier showed as in stock on the eticket listing on Thursday, 15 October 2026.

The seller offers a buy-now-pay-later option and lets buyers add tickets to Apple or Google Wallet. Refunds go only to the card used on eticket, so tickets bought from resellers carry extra risk.

Getting to Parque Viva

Parque Viva is a multi-venue complex in La Guácima, a district of Alajuela in the Central Valley. The concert takes place in its amphitheatre, which now carries the name Anfiteatro Imperial.

The venue says it lies 18 minutes from Juan Santamaría airport and 10 minutes from Route 27. That highway links the San José metropolitan area with the Central Pacific coast.

The complex has 3,900 parking spaces, and drivers can buy parking in advance through a link on the venue website. Taxis, Uber and other private transport use separate entrances, with a set zone for drop-off and pick-up.

The bus company Zúñiga e Hijos runs the regular route to the venue and adds buses for large events. The Alajuela bus firm TUASA also runs a marked special route when big shows are on, the venue says.

For some big events, Parque Viva has set up satellite car parks in San José with return shuttle buses. It has not yet said whether that service will run for this concert.

The US State Department strongly advises visitors to avoid public buses because of pickpocketing. A licensed taxi or a well-known ride-hailing app is the safer choice after a night show.

The Festival de la Luz Falls on the Same Night

San José holds its Festival de la Luz Christmas parade on the same Saturday, 12 December. La Nación and Teletica report a new route from Plaza de la Democracia west to Torre Mercedes on Paseo Colón.

Mayor Diego Miranda told La Nación the 2026 parade will have no floats, with giant balloons and bands instead. Concertgoers staying in downtown San José should expect closed streets and heavy traffic, so leaving early is wise.

Entry and Safety Tips for US Visitors

US citizens need no visa for tourist stays under 180 days, although officers may grant less, the State Department says. Travellers need a passport valid for the whole stay and proof of a return or onward ticket.

The department rates Costa Rica at Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, because of crime. It warns that petty theft is common and that armed robbers often target phones, wallets and purses.

If someone with a weapon confronts you, the department says, do not resist. Keep phones out of sight when leaving the venue and avoid walking alone in isolated areas at night.

Drivers should know that thieves use signal jammers to block car key fobs, so check that the car is locked. Traffic fines for routine violations can exceed US$500, and rental firms may charge unpaid tickets to your card.

What It Means for You

For US travellers, the show fits a long weekend, since flights land at Juan Santamaría close to the venue. Costa Rica stays on UTC minus six all year, so the 7 p.m. start equals 8 p.m. US Eastern in December.

December is high season in Costa Rica, so book hotels near the airport or in Alajuela early. Holders of June tickets who now cannot travel must file for a refund by 1 November.

For expats in the Central Valley, the concert is a short drive from most suburbs west of San José. Planning a route that avoids Paseo Colón on parade night will save time.

What Is Not Known

Neither eticket nor Parque Viva has published a gate opening time; the venue page shows 4 p.m. without saying what it marks. No opening act or set length has been announced.

Parque Viva has not said whether satellite parking or shuttle buses from San José will run. The start time of the Festival de la Luz parade has also not been published.

Connected Coverage

The Rio Times San José city guide covers neighbourhoods, costs and daily life near the venue. For other shows this season, see What to Do in San José in October 2026 and the Festival of Light parade guide.

Before the trip, read Costa Rica Traditional Food You Must Try and Costa Rica Travel Costs 2026 for US Visitors. For the wider picture, Costa Rica Explained covers the country’s politics and economy.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where does Rawayana play in Costa Rica?

Rawayana plays Parque Viva in La Guácima, Alajuela, on Saturday, 12 December 2026, at 7 p.m. local time. That is 8 p.m. US Eastern time.

How much do Rawayana tickets cost in Costa Rica?

Prices on eticket.cr run from CRC 35,000 (about US$77) for lawn standing to CRC 85,000 (about US$186) for Golden Circle. Service charges are included in those prices.

Are tickets for the June date still valid?

Yes, tickets bought for the postponed 27 June show are valid on 12 December. Buyers who cannot attend can request a refund through eticket until 1 November 2026.

Sources: eticket, Rawayana event page and rescheduling notice; Parque Viva, Rawayana event page; Parque Viva, routes and transport; Recording Academy, Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album 2025; US State Department, Costa Rica country information; CRHoy, postponement; CRHoy, ticket sales; Teletica, postponement; El Observador; La Nación; Teletica, Festival de la Luz route; open.er-api.com exchange rates (all accessed 15 October 2026).