Palmares Fiestas

If you happen to be in Costa Rica in January, don't miss out on the Palmares Fiestas. Costa Ricans aren't quite ready to put a halt to the festivities once the ball drops as if Christmas and New Year's weren't exciting enough. Palmares Fiestas take held for two weeks in January in Palmares. This small community, located between Alajuela and San Ramon, has developed a reputation for staging one of the year's most thrilling and anticipated events.

Every year, the event begins with a soccer game and a lantern parade that brightens the festival grounds. The lantern parade comes before the lantern lighting, and the soccer game is a minor league tournament. The Palmares Fiestas are well-known for filling the air with the sounds of some of Costa Rica's most famous performers.

One of the festival's biggest attractions is bullfighting. That implies not only that the public can attend, but also that the public can participate. Bring your cowboy hat if you have one; if not, expect to hang out with the other participants and enjoy some tasty food and drinks. Stay after the march for the impromptu bars, etc. set up in the event tents. What kind of celebration would be complete without a carnival, fireworks, and plenty of food and drink? All of these events are also on the Palmares Fiestas schedule!