By Tony Maniscalco

There are many important factors to consider when walking Costa Rica, such as what the best time of the year to visit is. Many would testify that the dry season from December to April is the most enjoyable time to visit. If you’re looking for a festive break with a difference though, many people recommend visiting for the festive season and spending a tropical Christmas in the rainforests of Costa Rica.

Although Costa Rica is a Catholic country, Christmas isn’t the only major celebration that takes place at the end of December. Las Fiestas de Zapote is a fiesta of all things Costa Rican, from rodeos and cowboys to fried food and alcohol. Las Fiestas de Zapote marks the end of the year and is basically a four-day-long New Year’s Eve celebration. When walking Costa Rica you’ll see that many towns have their own celebrations. However, the best are in the capital, San Jose, and those close to the area of Palmares.

When you get to the festival, although you’ll find an abundance of attractions to choose from, humane bullfights are the main spectacle. As you’ll soon discover, Costa Rican bullfighting is nothing like the Spanish style of bullfighting. Amateur men and woman enter a caged arena en masse and then very large bulls are released into this arena with often hilarious consequences. No bulls are harmed in this style of fighting and, as an animal loving nation, the Costa Ricans would certainly not abide the killing of animals for simple pleasure.

The festival ground covers a large area and features some great fair rides. Small portable bars are set up around the grounds and locals are able to dance the night away to the funky Latino beats, stopping every so often to fill up on delicious sweet churros and cotton candy.

Walking Costa Rica around Christmas time is a rewarding prospect, not only do you have Las Fiestas de Zapote to look forward to, but Christmas also coincides with the Festival de la Luz, or, festival of lights. During the Festival de la Luz, the city of San Jose is decorated with bright lights and a carnival marks the start of the festivities.

You’ll also see many organised ‘topes’ while walking Costa Rica during the festive season; topes have taken place in the country since colonial times. In a tope, horseback riders from all over Costa Rica flock together to show off their best outfits and horses. Many have been training their animals all year for this event and topes often coincide with the Festival de la Luz.

Although you won’t see any pine trees in Costa Rica, you’re likely to see a lot of decorated Cypress trees hung with lights for Festival de la Luz, and mini portals for Christmas. Portals are the representation of the birth of Jesus and these are either hung from trees or included in household Nativity scenes. That is apart from the portal of Baby Jesus which cannot be placed with the others until December 25th, the date when the main presents are opened. Although, Christmas is celebrated on the same date as in the United Kingdom, don’t expect to come home to a filling roast dinner after a day walking Costa Rica. That kind of meal would be a little hard to stomach in the 22 degree heat. For this reason, hot tamales are the dish du jour and the spiced pork offers many visitors a welcome change from turkey and stuffing.

There are many important factors to consider when walking Costa Rica, such as what the best time of the year to visit is. Many would testify that the dry season from December to April is the most enjoyable time to visit. If you’re looking for a festive break with a difference though, many people recommend visiting for the festive season and spending a tropical Christmas in the rainforests of Costa Rica.

Although Costa Rica is a Catholic country, Christmas isn’t the only major celebration that takes place at the end of December. Las Fiestas de Zapote is a fiesta of all things Costa Rican, from rodeos and cowboys to fried food and alcohol. Las Fiestas de Zapote marks the end of the year and is basically a four-day-long New Year’s Eve celebration. When walking Costa Rica you’ll see that many towns have their own celebrations. However, the best are in the capital, San Jose, and those close to the area of Palmares.

When you get to the festival, although you’ll find an abundance of attractions to choose from, humane bullfights are the main spectacle. As you’ll soon discover, Costa Rican bullfighting is nothing like the Spanish style of bullfighting. Amateur men and woman enter a caged arena en masse and then very large bulls are released into this arena with often hilarious consequences. No bulls are harmed in this style of fighting and, as an animal loving nation, the Costa Ricans would certainly not abide the killing of animals for simple pleasure.

The festival ground covers a large area and features some great fair rides. Small portable bars are set up around the grounds and locals are able to dance the night away to the funky Latino beats, stopping every so often to fill up on delicious sweet churros and cotton candy.

Walking Costa Rica around Christmas time is a rewarding prospect, not only do you have Las Fiestas de Zapote to look forward to, but Christmas also coincides with the Festival de la Luz, or, festival of lights. During the Festival de la Luz, the city of San Jose is decorated with bright lights and a carnival marks the start of the festivities.

You’ll also see many organised ‘topes’ while walking Costa Rica during the festive season; topes have taken place in the country since colonial times. In a tope, horseback riders from all over Costa Rica flock together to show off their best outfits and horses. Many have been training their animals all year for this event and topes often coincide with the Festival de la Luz.

Although you won’t see any pine trees in Costa Rica, you’re likely to see a lot of decorated Cypress trees hung with lights for Festival de la Luz, and mini portals for Christmas. Portals are the representation of the birth of Jesus and these are either hung from trees or included in household Nativity scenes. That is apart from the portal of Baby Jesus which cannot be placed with the others until December 25th, the date when the main presents are opened. Although, Christmas is celebrated on the same date as in the United Kingdom, don’t expect to come home to a filling roast dinner after a day walking Costa Rica. That kind of meal would be a little hard to stomach in the 22 degree heat. For this reason, hot tamales are the dish du jour and the spiced pork offers many visitors a welcome change from turkey and stuffing.

About the Author: Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. They offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in over 90 different countries. While walking Costa Rica with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you will see scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Source: isnare.com

Permanent Link: isnare.com/?aid=620318&ca=Travel