Bullfighting in Costa Rica: How Toros a la Tica Work

Costa Rica has bullfighting, but it looks nothing like Spain’s. Nobody kills the bull. Instead, a ring full of volunteers tries not to get flattened by it, and the whole country watches on TV.

Bullfighting in Costa Rica means toros a la tica, “Tico-style bulls.” The law forbids killing the bull, and there are no matadors, swords or lances. Instead, dozens of improvisados, amateur volunteers, jump into the ring to dodge and taunt the bull, and riders try to stay on bucking bulls in the montas. The biggest events run from Dec. 25 into early January at the Fiestas de Zapote in San José and at Pedregal in Belén, followed by the Palmares fiestas in mid-January. Smaller town fiestas, especially in Guanacaste, hold bull events through the dry season.

This guide explains how toros a la tica work, where and when to see them, what tickets cost, the animal welfare debate and what to expect if you go.

Bullfighting in Costa Rica	At a glance
Is the bull killed?	No. Killing the bull is prohibited.
Who’s in the ring	Amateur improvisados and bull riders, not matadors
Main season	Dec. 25 to early January, then January town fiestas
Biggest venues	Zapote (San José), Pedregal (Belén, Heredia), Palmares (Alajuela)
Sessions	Usually afternoon and evening, about 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Zapote
Tickets	Roughly ₡6,000 to ₡25,000 in recent seasons, often with 2-for-1 deals
On TV	Broadcast live on national channels every night of the season

The basics

How Toros a la Tica Differ From Spanish Bullfighting

In a Spanish corrida, a matador and his team weaken and then kill the bull. In Costa Rica, the bull is the star and walks out of the ring alive. A single bull enters at a time, and the improvisados, often construction workers, security guards and other regulars, many in masks or homemade costumes, try to get close without getting caught. When a bull tosses someone into the air, the crowd cheers the bull.

At Zapote, the ring seats about 3,000 people, and a typical session runs 10 to 12 bulls with 20 to 30 improvisados. Veterinarians from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock inspect the bulls before, during and after each event, and a bull must rest 30 days before it can compete again.

The montas: bull riding

Bull riding, or la monta, is the other half of the show. A montador rides a bucking bull for as long as possible, much like an American rodeo, and the TV seasons now include riding championships. The tradition grew out of Guanacaste’s cattle ranches and its sabanero cowboys.

Famous bulls

Bulls get names, fan followings and TV highlight reels. The most famous, Malacrianza, competed from 2004 to 2013 and killed two riders during his career. He died in 2015, and a life-size statue of him now stands on a hill above the road from Playa Garza to Nosara, near the pasture where he spent his retirement.

Where and when

Where to See Bullfighting in Costa Rica

• Fiestas de Zapote, San José: The country’s best-known bullring, on the east side of San José, with two sessions a day from Dec. 25 into the first days of January. Entry to the fairgrounds, with rides and food stands, has been free in recent years.
• Pedregal, Belén (Heredia): A second big end-of-year fair west of San José, running the same dates as Zapote, with bullfights, rides and restaurants. The two venues compete for crowds and TV audiences.
• Fiestas de Palmares, Alajuela: About two weeks in mid-January, with toros a la tica, a riding championship, children’s bull events, concerts and a big tope, or horse parade.
• Guanacaste town fiestas: Santa Cruz in January and many smaller towns, especially around Guanacaste Day on July 25, hold bull events in a temporary wooden ring. These are rowdier and more local. See our guide to Guanacaste culture.

Schedules change every year, so check the current program before you plan around a date. Our Costa Rica holidays and celebrations guide covers the calendar, and the Tope Nacional, San José’s big horse parade on Dec. 26, falls in the same week as Zapote.

Tickets

Tickets and What It Costs

In recent seasons, bullfight tickets have run roughly ₡6,000 to ₡25,000, or about $12 to $50, depending on the venue, the session and the seat. Zapote’s boxes, or palcos, cost the most, and Pedregal’s tickets have been cheaper. Both venues often sell 2-for-1 or 3-for-1 promotions, and evening sessions are the most popular. Buy tickets at the venue or through the official sellers each fair announces, and bring cash for food stands.

Risks

Is It Safe?

For spectators, yes. You watch from stands behind a solid barrier. The usual fair rules apply: watch your bag in the crowds and arrange your ride home before the evening session ends.

For improvisados, no. Gorings, broken bones and hospital stays happen every season, and people have died. Organizers must carry insurance for participants under the government’s bullfighting regulations, but that doesn’t make it safe.

The debate

Animal Welfare and the Bullfighting Debate

Toros a la tica remain hugely popular. In a 2015 University of Costa Rica survey, 62.7% of respondents said they liked the events, and 94.5% had watched them on TV. Supporters point to the ban on killing bulls, the veterinary checks and the 30-day rest rule, and ranchers describe their bulls as athletes.

Animal welfare groups argue that chasing, crowds and repeated stress still cause the bulls to suffer, and they protest during the season. If that bothers you, skip the ring and go to the fair for the food, rides and music instead.

Families

Is It OK for Kids?

Costa Rican families bring children all the time, and afternoon sessions are calmer than evening ones. Still, the ring is loud and people get hurt in front of you, which can upset younger kids. If you’re unsure, start with the fairground rides and food stands, or watch a session on TV first. Our guide to Christmas in Costa Rica has other ideas for the holiday weeks.

Good to know

Costa Rica Bullfighting FAQ