Various seismic events in Costa Rica scared churchgoers and tourists across the country, who were either preparing for the solemn Good Friday ceremonies or enjoying time off at crowded vacation spots.

The first earthquake took place at 12:32, in the midst of lunchtime; it was recorded with a magnitude of 4.7 on the moment magnitude scale (MMS), and its epicenter was located near San Gerardo in the Dota Valley, province of San Jose. The second earthquake was strongly felt across the Central Valley ten minutes later; it epicenter was detected 10 km north of the Paramo community of Perez Zeledon. The second seismic disturbance registered a magnitude of 4.8 MMS, and its intensity lasted for nearly a minute according to some observations communicated to the Observatory on Seismology and Volcanology of Costa rica (Spanish acronym: OVSICORI).

None of the above-mentioned earthquakes were caused by the geological process of subduction that is related to the tectonic plate systems off the Pacific Coast. Both earthquakes were caused by local faults.

Being Good Friday, many residents took advantage of the religious holiday to visit local attractions. According to a news report by radio station Columbia 98.7 FM, volcano tourists who were in the vicinity of the Turrialba volcano, which is very active and closed to the public, were deeply struck with fear by the earthquakes since they believed them to be of a volcanic nature. Thankfully, that was not the case; however, at that point many visitors decided to either head to church or return to their homes.

Costa Rica is a seismic country that also happens to be Catholic by virtue of her Constitution; perhaps for these two reasons, earthquakes leading up to Easter have been historically common and are almost expected. Many Ticos have stories to reminisce about seismicity taking place on Good Friday and Holy Saturday, but rarely on Easter Sunday.