Zapote Festival - Las Fiestas de Zapote

Zapote is a small town just north of the capital city, San Jose. The town comes alive as Costa Rica's best bull riders flock to Zapote the last week of the each year for the festival known as the super bowl or world cup final of bull riding to Costa Ricans.  Do not confuse the Spanish sport of bull fighting with Costa Rican's bull riding. The event in Zapote is more like a traditional rodeo except people from the crowd are welcome to step into the ring and try their hand at bull riding which makes for some funny sites and spectacular falls. Outside of the bull ring there is a lot to do at the Zapote Festival. The large fairgrounds are packed with ferris wheels, bumper cars, tea cups and other fair rides. Traditional Costa Rican junk food is another staple of the festival. Churros, cotton candy, candied apples and other treats will keep the kids high on sugar. If you get tired of eating and watching the bulls, you can also find live music, dancing and traditional games.