For those of you who do not know, Palmares is a local town about 20 minutes over the mountians from Atenas. But in January of every year, the whole country knows Palmares, as PARTY CENTRAL! According to the Fiestas web site , the festivities have been a tradition for over 20 years. In 2002 the Costa Rican government declaired "las fiestas" a "nacional touristic activity". Starting with the TOPE, which is a big horse parade, and continuing for 15 days, including games, rides, bull fights, sports activites and concerts. For the concerts, Palmares pulls out all the stops bringing in the biggest in Latin stars, including Lucero, Alicia Villareal, and Calle 13. Not to mention all the best fair fare you can handle.
http://www.fiestaspalmares.com/ 
So last Thursday, the Pure Life Development team took the afternoon off to go experience the TOPE of Palmares. Needless to say it was a blast. Cowboys, cowgirls, horses, and everything in between. The people were wild. Drinking, and dancing in the streets. This year the TOPE was dedicated to the president, OSCAR ARIAS, who watched from his seat, like many of his other countrymen. The Nacion printed that Don Oscar was quite upset that he was not allowed to ride in the parade, but did not elaborate as to why. However, all the presidential canidates we up front and center, especially front runner Laura Chinchilla.
We started off by taking in a hour or so of horses, and then made our way through the croud to find something to eat. After a 30 minute walk, which would normally take 5, we chowed down. Vigaron, which is pieces of pork cooked with onions, peppers, with fried yucca, coverd in cole slaw and pico de gallo, chinese style fried rice, fried chicken, candied apples, and of course churros filled with caramel. With our bellies full, we walked around watching others enjoy the afternoon, and then stopped to have a drink and enjoy some more horses. For those of you who are brave enough, we highly reccomend Fiestas Palmares!!
For those of you who do not know, Palmares is a local town about 20 minutes over the mountians from Atenas. But in January of every year, the whole country knows Palmares, as PARTY CENTRAL! According to the Fiestas web site , the festivities have been a tradition for over 20 years. In 2002 the Costa Rican government declaired "las fiestas" a "nacional touristic activity". Starting with the TOPE, which is a big horse parade, and continuing for 15 days, including games, rides, bull fights, sports activites and concerts. For the concerts, Palmares pulls out all the stops bringing in the biggest in Latin stars, including Lucero, Alicia Villareal, and Calle 13. Not to mention all the best fair fare you can handle. http://www.fiestaspalmares.com/ 
We started off by taking in a hour or so of horses, and then made our way through the croud to find something to eat. After a 30 minute walk, which would normally take 5, we chowed down. Vigaron, which is pieces of pork cooked with onions, peppers, with fried yucca, coverd in cole slaw and pico de gallo, chinese style fried rice, fried chicken, candied apples, and of course churros filled with caramel. With our bellies full, we walked around watching others enjoy the afternoon, and then stopped to have a drink and enjoy some more horses. For those of you who are brave enough, we highly reccomend Fiestas Palmares!!
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