The festival at Zapote is one of the most awaited events of the holiday season in Costa Rica. While the main attraction is the bull ring, the party also includes carnival rides, such as a rollercoaster with an upside down loop and a pirate ship that swings you back and forth, games, food, fireworks, live entertainment and giant clubs that are constructed just for the occasion.

Costa Rica News — The Newly Constructed Bull Ring in Zapote

The corrida de toros in Costa Rica isn’t the same bloody sight as in Spain and other Latin American countries. Here the humans, aka “toredores improvisados” or improvised bull fighers, are the hunted. A bull is worked up and set free into a ring filled with people who try to prove their courage and speed by touching the bull’s horn while avoiding getting tossed or trampled by the bull. The runners tend to work together and distract a bull from someone who fell or already got hit. They also use different tactics like running together in a circle around the ring to confuse the bull.

The fact that many of the men that enter the ring are drunk and have the entire country watching them does not put the odds in their favor. There are generally several injuries each year and the occasional fatality. At least 320 people were attended to by the red cross so far this year, and one man of 27 years died shortly after getting hit by a 992 pound bull name Jabalí on Tuesday, Jan. 1.

A total of 11 bulls are invited to participate, and most Costa Ricans will be able to tell you who is the meanest of them all. The Miura breed (a small, quick bull from Guanacaste) is known for being the most dangerous.

Spectators must pay $8 for general admission to the newly constructed bull ring which can fit about 4,500 people. Other than that, it is free to enter the fair grounds. The bars charge a $5 entrance fee, and it is about $1 to enjoy any of the rides. Food stands ranging from Taco Bell to Pizza Hut to Costa Rican Chinese food scatter the main area and ensure that no one will go hungry.

The entire festival will continue through Jan. 6th. After that, party goers need not mourn as the festivities continue in Carrizal and in Alajuelita on Jan. 6th through the 12th. Then on the 14th, another festival will begin in La Cruz, Guanacaste and continue on through the 20th. While this is going on, on the 17th, the renowned festival of Palmares will begin. On this date a ‘tope’ or horse parade will take place with more than 2,000 participants from all over the region, including the President of Honduras.

While the fairs carry a level of generic games and food stands, the cowboy touch is quite distinct and is an integral part of Costa Rican culture. If you are visiting the country during this time, you would be well advised to experience one of these fiestas a la Tico.

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Filed under: Costa Rica News on January 2nd, 2008