The Palmares tope is one of the country’s most famous, with cowboys from all over the country turning up to show off their riding skills and sometimes other talents.Â
Costa Rican bullfights and horse parades are a proud cultural tradition for many. But increased scrutiny in recent years is shedding light on the darker side of the revelry.
Anxious not to miss the Palmares Festival some Ticos buy fake illness certificates to take a sick day, and that prompted the Social Security System, or Caja, to launch an investigation into the selling of counterfeited documents.