After 11 days of bullfights, carnival rides, and junk food, Las Fiestas de Zapote finally drew to a close on Sunday, allowing the spotlight to shine on January’s other regional festivals. No Costa Rican New Year is complete without a fistful of churros and some bone-crunching rodeo injuries, but now the barrio of Zapote will return to its normal businessy self.

Along with thousands of chepeños and visitors, The Tico Times visited Zapote to catch the toros and do some people-watching. To commemorate another successful year, here are some scenes from the fiestas. Olé!

(And just a word of caution: This video shows at least one moment of unsettling violence – although nothing you wouldn’t see live on Teletica).