What To Do During The Holiday Season

"Celebraciones populares" - December 26 - The traditional horse parade that will fill Paseo Colon and Avenida Segunda all day.

"Tradicional carnaval" - December 27 - Once again, Paseo Colon and Avenida Segunda, is filled with a parade, this time, music, dancers and all kinds of cultural and traditional themes will be focused that will close the year. The event is broadcast live on television.

Zapote Fair - Bull fights or Corridas de Toros is the main attraction and is something of a misnomer, because Costa Rican bull fights have little in common with the blood sport of Spain and Mexico. Riders challenge the bulls first, and when they are thrown light-footed "matadors" take over distracting and tiring the bull with their cape. Finally cowboys on pirouetting horses rope the bull and lead it from the ring. No blood is drawn. There is a grand arena in San José and many small towns have rings where fights are held during their Fiestas de el Patron.

Beaches -The beaches are filled with sun, sand and vacationers. Just lying in the sun, surfing, snorkeling and just about anything is possible at the beach. It sure beats the boredom of San José.