PHOTOS: The best of Palmares Tope 2016

The annual Palmares Festival kicked off last Thursday at 1 p.m. with the tope (horse parade). Approximately 2,500 riders and horses rode 3 kilometers through the town of Palmares, located in the province of Alajuela. A crowd of thousands lined up the streets under the 30 degree Celsius sun to cheer the most impressive horses. Families and friends brought chairs, ice chests, food, beer (of course), some even brought barbecues.

“Fiestas de Palmares” takes place Jan. 13 – 25 in the city of Palmares, northwest of San José. More info: Fiestas Palmares Facebook page.

Costa Rica's Mounted Police Andrés Madrigal/The Tico Times

Andrés Madrigal/The Tico Times

Andrés Madrigal/The Tico Times

Flannel shirt, check. Cowboy hat, check. Beer in hand, check. Andrés Madrigal/The Tico Times

Andrés Madrigal/The Tico Times

Dancing in the streets of Palmares. Andrés Madrigal/The Tico Times

Andrés Madrigal/The Tico Times

Hats for sale at Palmares, between $4-$8. Wise investment to keep your face out of the sun. Andrés Madrigal/The Tico Times

The Palmares Tope. Andrés Madrigal/The Tico Times

The good, the bad and the weird. Andrés Madrigal/The Tico Times

Andrés Madrigal/The Tico Times

Fifteen veterinarians and 19 volunteer veterinary students treated approximately 90 horses during the tope and retired four. One horse died before the tope started when it fell into a ditch after it spooked and the rider lost control. The rider was taken to the hospital with minor injuries to his hip. Andrés Madrigal/The Tico Times

After the four hour parade, crews hired by the organisers of the festival and the municipality, clean up the streets of Palmares. One of the workers proudly stated that the streets would be spotless by 5 am. Andrés Madrigal/The Tico Times