The Municipality of San José has hosted the traditional bullfight games to celebrate Christmas and New Year's for the past 54 years.

The celebrations in San José City begin on Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25 and go until New Year's first week. Bullfights and the Zapote Fairgrounds are two of the most popular events.

The bullfights begin on Christmas Day at the Plaza de Toros in Zapote Canton. Because it is forbidden in Costa Rica to kill or hurt bulls, bullfights differ significantly from those witnessed in Spain or México.

Costa Ricans find it entertaining when a bull is allowed inside the arena to chase several dozen so-called amateur bullfighters. They are inexperienced with bulls. Some might argue that a bull has been let into a mob.

According to the organizers, over 300 bulls will be used in various sports and events this year. In one of the games, a small group of amateur bullfighters are placed in a demarcated portion. The bull is then let go. If a player travels outside of the defined area to avoid a bull, they are eliminated from the game. The last person to leave the specified area generally receives a cash award.

Another game involves amateur bullfighters riding a seesaw. When a bull approaches, a participant leaps into the air and out of reach. However, his partner on the device falls lower. As a result, the bull becomes disoriented as it moves from one side to the other. Typically, the bull does not gore either participant.

Because the performances are frequently given twice a day, organizers must be imaginative in creating new attractions and gimmicks with the bull.

More than 300 people are anticipated to compete as amateur bullfighters. The National Insurance Institute has granted them all accident insurance.


In 1969, the first bullfight in the Zapote ring took place. Since 1846, the games have been staged on Plaza Viquez in downtown San José.

According to the historian Marilyn Ramirez Pomeniac in her book "History of the San José Civic Festivities," the San José feasts began virtually as soon as the country gained independence. In 1824, legislation established the festival in four major cities: Cartago, the capital at the time; San José, Alajuela, and Heredia.

In the case of San José, the celebration was held in honor of José de Nazaret and observed on March 19 every year. The fair was then rescheduled for December to coincide with New Year's Eve celebrations, according to Ramirez.

The Zapote Fairgrounds is free admission. The bullfighter's games tickets are about $20 and are available at the Zapote Bullring box office.

The bullfighter's games will be broadcast at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on local channels 6, 7 and 13.

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