The National Oxcart Parade celebrated Costa Rican history and traditions in the streets of San José on Sunday. More than 200 teams of oxen (yuntas de bueyes), accompanied by music and folk dances, marched from La Sabana Metropolitan Park to Plaza de la Democracia as part of the festivities.
Thousands of people crowded the streets of San José for photos — and for some lucky spectators, rides — on the colorful oxcarts. Painted oxcarts are a national symbol of Costa Rica. (We wrote about their history here.)
The event organizers said the parade is meant to help Ticos remember their roots and the importance of agriculture, and to bridge a gap between urban and rural Costa Rica.
Here are some of our favorite photos from the National Oxcart Parade:
