Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers for choirs, directors and ensembles interested in Choral Fest Costa Rica for Peace.
Planning an international choir journey requires clarity. Choir directors, singers, families and institutions often need to understand the process before making a decision.
This page answers common questions about Choral Fest Costa Rica for Peace, including participation, application, costs, logistics, repertoire, travel, concerts and customized choral experiences in Costa Rica.
About the festival
What is Choral Fest Costa Rica for Peace?
Choral Fest Costa Rica for Peace is a non-competitive international choral festival that brings together choirs from different countries through music, cultural exchange and a shared message of peace.
The festival is designed for choirs that want to perform, learn, connect with other ensembles and live a meaningful experience in Costa Rica.
Is Choral Fest Costa Rica a competition?
No. Choral Fest Costa Rica for Peace is a non-competitive festival.
Choirs do not participate to win prizes, rankings or medals. The focus is artistic growth, cultural exchange, shared singing, community and peace through music.
When will the 2027 festival take place?
The 2027 edition of Choral Fest Costa Rica for Peace is scheduled for June 23–27, 2027.
The final program may vary according to venues, participating choirs, invited conductors, local partnerships and logistical needs.
Where does the festival take place?
The festival takes place in Costa Rica. Activities may include concerts, workshops, cultural exchange and community encounters in selected venues and communities according to the final confirmed program.
A festival designed for meaningful choral leadership
This festival is not built around competition, rankings or medals.
It is built around encounter.
For choir directors, this means the experience is centered on artistic sharing, cultural exchange, learning and the human values that choral music can teach: listening, discipline, respect, presence and community.
Here, your choir is invited to perform, but also to connect. To sing, but also to listen. To travel, but also to grow.
Participation and application
How can my choir apply for participation?
Your choir can begin by completing the participation request form on the Apply page.
The form helps us understand your ensemble, country, director, contact information and interest in the festival. After receiving the request, the organization reviews the information and contacts the responsible director with the next steps.
What information may be requested from my choir?
The organization may request basic information about the choir, the director, country of origin, contact details, estimated number of participants and general interest in the festival.
Additional materials may also be requested, such as a recent recording, proposed repertoire, a short biography of the choir and conductor, and recent photos for promotional or organizational purposes.
Is there an application fee?
There is no cost to submit an initial participation request.
If the choir moves forward in the process, participation costs and conditions will be explained according to the selected modality and confirmed program.
Does submitting the form confirm participation automatically?
No. Submitting the form begins the participation process.
The festival team reviews the information and contacts the responsible director with guidance about next steps, availability, costs, logistics and participation possibilities.
How is choir participation confirmed?
Choir participation is confirmed after the required steps and conditions indicated by the organization have been completed.
This process helps ensure that each ensemble receives clear information and that the festival can coordinate the artistic and logistical aspects responsibly.
Who can participate?
The festival welcomes different types of choirs and vocal ensembles, including:
- Children’s choirs
- Youth choirs
- School choirs
- University choirs
- Community choirs
- Church choirs
- Adult choirs
- Chamber choirs
- Vocal ensembles
A minimum of 16 participants is recommended to support group logistics and the overall festival experience.
Costs and logistics
Is there a participation fee?
Yes. Once a choir moves forward in the process, a participation cost may apply according to the confirmed modality, group size, lodging, meals, transportation, activities and final program.
Directors are encouraged to request costs and logistics information so the organization can provide clearer guidance according to the needs of the ensemble.
What can participation include?
Depending on the confirmed modality and final program, participation may include lodging, meals according to the selected plan, internal transportation related to official activities, concert coordination, workshops, shared activities, festival materials and general organizational support.
Final inclusions may vary according to the confirmed proposal for each choir.
Are international flights included?
International flights are generally not included in the standard participation information unless a specific arrangement is made separately.
Choirs are usually responsible for arranging their travel to and from Costa Rica.
What airport should choirs use?
The main arrival airport for most participating choirs is Juan Santamaría International Airport, near San José, Costa Rica.
Airport reception and transfers may be coordinated according to the confirmed itinerary and participation plan.
Can companions travel with the choir?
In many cases, companions may be included as part of the group, depending on lodging availability, final conditions and confirmed logistics.
Directors should include the estimated number of companions when requesting information.
Can our choir arrive before or depart after the festival?
Yes. Some choirs may need to arrive earlier or depart later because of airline schedules or travel plans.
Additional nights, extensions or complementary activities can be discussed as part of the planning process.
Repertoire and concerts
What kind of repertoire should we prepare?
Each choir may prepare a program that represents its artistic identity, country or community.
Music connected to peace, hope, coexistence, cultural heritage or meaningful human themes is especially welcome.
How long should the choir’s program be?
A choir program may generally be planned within an approximate range of 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the concert, venue and final festival structure.
The exact length may be confirmed during the planning process.
Will there be common songs or shared singing?
The festival may include common songs, collective singing moments or shared musical activities, depending on the final program and artistic planning.
These moments represent the spirit of the festival: different voices joining in one shared message of peace.
Are concerts open to the public?
Some concerts may be open to local audiences and communities, according to the final confirmed program, venues and organizational arrangements.
Travel to Costa Rica
Is a visa required to enter Costa Rica?
Visa requirements depend on nationality, passport, travel route and current immigration regulations.
Choirs should verify the official entry requirements for each participant before traveling. The festival can provide general orientation, but each traveler is responsible for complying with official immigration requirements.
Are vaccines or immunizations required?
Health requirements may vary depending on the traveler’s country of origin, transit countries and current Costa Rican regulations.
Choirs should verify official health and vaccination requirements before traveling.
What should singers pack?
Singers should bring concert attire, comfortable casual clothing, appropriate shoes, personal medications, toiletries, travel documents and any items needed for rehearsals or performances.
Because Costa Rica has different climates depending on the region, practical and comfortable clothing is recommended.
Should we exchange money before traveling?
Costa Rica uses the Costa Rican colón. U.S. dollars are widely used in many travel-related contexts, and credit cards are commonly accepted in many places.
Choirs should still plan responsibly for personal expenses, exchange rates and possible cash needs during the trip.
Meals and special needs
Do you offer vegetarian or vegan food options?
Dietary needs may be considered during the planning process.
Choirs should provide accurate information about vegetarian, vegan, allergy-related or special meal needs as early as possible so the organization can review available options according to the confirmed program.
Can the festival accommodate special needs?
The organization will do its best to understand and review special needs related to mobility, diet, age, schedule or group requirements.
Directors should communicate these needs clearly during the planning process.
Sing with Purpose in Costa Rica
What is Sing with Purpose in Costa Rica?
Sing with Purpose in Costa Rica is a customized choral travel option for choirs that cannot travel during the official festival dates or wish to come to Costa Rica at another time of the year.
It allows each ensemble to experience music, cultural exchange, community and peace through a program designed according to its schedule, interests and goals.
Is Sing with Purpose the same as the main festival?
No. The main festival takes place during the official Choral Fest dates.
Sing with Purpose in Costa Rica is a customized experience for choirs that prefer another date or need a personalized program.
Both options share the same spirit: music as encounter, community and peace.
What can a customized choral journey include?
Depending on the confirmed proposal, a customized journey may include concerts, workshops, cultural exchange, community visits, nature experiences, educational activities, lodging and meal guidance, transportation coordination and general logistical support.
Final details are defined according to the needs, dates and interests of each choir.
For choir directors
Why should a choir director consider this festival?
Because Choral Fest Costa Rica for Peace offers more than a performance opportunity.
It gives directors a way to lead their singers into an experience that combines artistic growth, cultural respect, community, travel and a meaningful message of peace.
Is this experience suitable for students or young singers?
Yes. Youth and school choirs can benefit from the educational, cultural and human dimensions of the festival, as long as the group is properly organized and accompanied.
How can families understand the value of the trip?
Families often want to know that a choir trip is safe, organized and meaningful.
This festival helps directors explain the journey not only as travel, but as an educational and human experience where singers can grow through music, culture and connection.
Still have questions?
If your question is not answered here, contact the festival team.
We will be glad to help you understand the participation process, costs, logistics, travel options and the best path for your ensemble.
Contact the festival team Request costs and logistics information Apply with your choir
Who can participate?
We welcome choral ensembles of different characteristics and backgrounds, including:
- Mixed adult choirs
- Men’s choirs
- Women’s choirs
- Children’s and youth choirs
- School choirs
- University choirs
- Community choirs
- Church choirs
- Chamber ensembles
A minimum of 16 participants is recommended to facilitate logistics and the group experience.
Unidos por la paz.
David Bridges
Choral Fest Costa Rica for Peace Non-competitive international choral festival June 23–27, 2027 San José, Costa Rica
Changing the world one note at a time.
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