Costa Rica

Traditional celebrations for the holidays are the “Fiestas de San Jose” or “Festejos Populares” – the popular festivities of San Jose.  They celebrate the end of the year that has passed and the New Year to come.  These festivities take place in the capital and are famous throughout Costa Rica.  Ticos look forward to this time to party and have fun.   The main events of the Festejos Populares are “las corridas de toros” – bullfights, which are now commonly called “Toros a la Tica” (bullfighting the Tico way) and the “Tope Nacional” Horse Parade through San Jose.

“Las corridas de toros” are a special part of the Costa Rican culture.  The Ticos have taken this traditionally formal event and transformed it into what they call “Toros a la Tica”.  Los Toros started back in the early 1800’s in the then capital city of Cartago, and were originally known as the “San Juan Fiestas”.  Similar to The Running of the Bulls in Spain,  bulls were let loose in town, and the people would run with them.  After running through the streets, bulls and runners would end up in the bull ring or “la plaza mayor” with the gates closed behind them.  Ticos would travel from all over the country to watch the skilled and famous “toreros” conquer the bulls.  The participants were rewarded with prizes, notoriety, and glory for fighting the bulls. 

Nowadays things are very different.  The event is held at the Zapote fairgrounds in San Jose, and the formal Spanish tradition has evolved into what we now call “Toros a la Tica”.  The Redondel “bull ring” is opened December 26th, and the famous bullfights begin.  Ticos rich and poor are excited to have a chance at beating the bull!  The corridas consist of “toreros improvisados” –  improvised bullfighters that take their turn jumping in the Redondel to tease and make fun of the bull.  In Costa Rica it is prohibited by national law to kill the bull.

There can be anywhere from five to thirty people in the ring at anytime, and in most cases when the bull gets close, everyone jumps over the fence into safety.  The “Toros a la Tica” is now looked at as a comedic event with no competitive aspect to it as anyone who thinks he or she is brave enough can jump in the bullring.  Skill is not a requirement.  This is always a big headache for the Red Cross, as it has to rescue those who don’t get out in time. 

Along with the “Toros” at the Festejos are “Chinamos”, tents set up with music, food and alcohol.  The Chinamos include a couple of Megabares, super-sized tents with live music, beer, food stands, and retail items.  You can often see local television stations broadcasting live from these Chinamo Parties.

This year the Toros and the Toreros will enjoy a brand new Redondel, a huge undertaking by the Municipalidad de San Jose to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for years to come. 

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