Love ’em or hate ’em, the controversial bullfights at Zapote, the heart of the annual year-end festivities there, are synonymous with New Year’s in Costa Rica. Here are a few images of this year’s encounters between the bulls and the improvisados who gain a free pass into the main event by heading into the ring to test their luck (or wear it out completely).
![Costa Rica's traditional Zapote bullfighting festival.](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/161230Zapote5-1000x681.jpg)
![Costa Rica's traditional Zapote bullfighting festival.](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/161230Zapote1-805x800.jpg)
![Costa Rica's traditional Zapote bullfighting festival.](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/161230Zapote3-1000x667.jpg)
![Costa Rica's traditional Zapote bullfighting festival.](https://ticotimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/161230Zapote2-1000x633.jpg)