More than 3,000 horse riders gathered punctually at noon on Friday to begin the 3-kilometer course of Costa Rica’s National Horse Parade, or Tope Nacional. It began at Plaza Víquez, just south of San José's central canton.
Christmas and year-end celebrations in Costa Rica involve activities all across the country, but some of the most popular events take place in San José.
Rides, grilled meat, cotton candy and a Costa Rican rodeo are at the annual fair. The festival in the southeastern San José neighborhood of Zapote runs until Jan. 5.
