The Costa Rican town of ParaÃso was visited by a troop of Santa Clauses Saturday in the area’s first Santacon, hosted by the local hostel Brewha Costa Rica.
Now a tradition in many large cities worldwide, Santacons are large gatherings of bar-goers dressed in Santa suits. The events often bring together hundreds of people, overwhelming city blocks.
With only three popular bars in town, ParaÃso was not adequately prepared for a Santa siege, even a small one.
It started back at the hostel, where everyone donned beards and Santa hats.
![Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/santa01-185x120.jpg)
Even the dog, Charlie, got a beard. It may not look like it, but he loved it.
![Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/santa02dog-185x120.jpg)
After too much mulled wine, it was time to leave.
![Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/santa03hammock-185x120.jpg)
But a dark jungle hike was required to get to a cab.
![Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/santa04walkingindark-185x120.jpg)
Before hitting the bars, the Santas decided to go to the playground.
![Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/santa06swings-185x120.jpg)
Where they blew off Costa Rica’s strict handicapped laws.
![Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/santa07swingsarrow-185x120.jpg)
They took photos under Christmas trees.
![Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/santa08group-185x120.jpg)
And a stray dog interrupted because that’s what happens in Costa Rica.
![Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/santa09groupdog-185x120.jpg)
Then they hit the bars.
![Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/santa10groupinbar-185x120.jpg)
Little known fact: Santa Claus’s favorite beer is Imperial.
![Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/santa11inbardrinking-185x120.jpg)
The stray dog followed the Santas to the bar.
![Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/santa13doginbar-185x120.jpg)
But no one else really seemed to notice their presence.
![Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/santa14notcaring-185x120.jpg)
Until the Santas started attacking random cars in the streets.
![Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/santa16attackscar-185x120.jpg)
And yelling “ho ho ho” at passersby.
![Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/santa17laughsatcar-185x120.jpg)
They defiled trashcans.
![Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/santacon20ontrashcanagain-185x120.jpg)
And had mysterious late night phone conversations
![Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/santa18onphone-185x120.jpg)
But there wasn’t all that much going on in town.
![Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/santacon22emptystreets-185x120.jpg)
So they found other ways to amuse themselves. Like getting stuck in trees.
![Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/santa23tree-185x120.jpg)
And stealing each other’s beards.
![Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/santacon21fun-185x120.jpg)
Merry Christmas
![Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/santa23last-185x120.jpg)