 Major Festivals
Christians inhabit major regions of Costa Rica, though you can also
find inhabitants of Jewish community scattered in between.
Christmas is the main festival that is celebrated with full pomp
and zeal. Many events are held in Costa Rica and in particular San
José during Easter Holy Week known as Semana Santa.
Besides, various towns in and around Costa Rica celebrate their own
saints' day. San José's Day or (Saint Joseph's Day) on March
19, Virgin of Los Angeles Day (the patron saint of Costa Rica) on
August 2, Juan Santa Maria's Day on April 11 and Dia de la Raza
(Columbus Day) on October 12, are some of other events to enjoy,
while you make your stay a memorable event.
Unforgettable events
Costa Ricans are very friendly people, and know how to welcome
their guests. A week-long tennis tournament, known as The Copa del
Café, draws talented teenaged amateurs from across the globe.
The Carrera de la Paz, a footrace, is held in March in which
thousands of people run from San José's National Gymnasium to
the campus of the University for Peace in Villa Colón. The
National Orchid Show, a weekend-long festival showing more than 500
rare species of orchids, takes place in March in the Colegio de
Medicos y Cirujanos.
Adventure Events
The month of March is very eventful in and around Costa Rica. The
tourists would certainly feel the richness of National Oxcart Day
celebrated on second Sunday at San Antonio de Escazú outside
of San José. The Oxcart features over 500 different genres of
boyero (oxcart driver) and the carreta (the wooden-wheeled painted
cart). Further, the nation's cattlemen assemble at the Bonanza
Fairgrounds, on the airport highway, for the Bonanza Cattle Show
every March. Featured are prize bulls, bullfights, rodeos, horse
races, and mechanical bulls. The Crafts Fair on the Plaza de la
Cultura has 150-200 local artisans exhibiting their craftsmanship.
The month of April witnesses San Jose's Plaza de la Democracia - a
three-day annual Festival of Native American Handicrafts. It is
followed by the celebration of Earth Day.
Animal adventure events
"Toros a la Tica" or "Zapote Bullfights" is the most favored and
adventurous animal sporting event infused with the spirit of
season's festivities in Costa Rica. The Costa Rican Bullfight is
very different because the bulls are never injured, or killed.
Besides, the bullfighters are normal people or the amateurs that
get into the arena without any professional aid. The Rider at the
"Tope" is an event that gives the opportunity to the riders from
across the country to come to the city with animals embellished in
ornate costumes. The competition is held in a perfectly sportsman's
spirit.
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