By law, all employees in Costa Rica are due an aguinaldo, which is calculated by dividing the employee’s total yearly income by 12, Labor Ministry spokesman Geovanny Díaz explained.

Some public employers began paying the bonuses at the beginning of the month, and all ministries paid their employees’ aguinaldos Wednesday, Díaz said. Private employers have until Dec. 20 to pay the bonus or face penalties.

Many flocked to ATMs Wednesday and yesterday to withdraw their cash, a trend the Public Security Ministry says it prepared for by stationing extra police in the streets and warning citizens to watch out for theft.

“As part of our end-of-the-year operative, we’ve given a lot of advice about how people can take care of their money,” said Public Security Ministry spokeswoman Ingrid Luna.

The ministry’s recommendations include not going to the ATM alone, only carrying the amount of cash one plans to spend that day and remaining cautious while carrying shopping bags.

Private employees with questions about their aguinaldo can call a hotline set up by the Labor Ministry, 800-TRABAJO. Public employees should consult their office’s human resources department with questions or concerns, Díaz said