The Palmares Festival, or Fiestas de Palmares, is a 10- to 12-day fair held every January in Palmares, a small town in Costa Rica’s Central Valley about an hour west of San José. It’s known for a big tope (horse parade), Costa Rican-style bullfights where the bull isn’t killed, Sunday concerts, carnival rides and late-night music tents. The 2027 schedule lists events from Friday, Jan. 15, through Monday, Jan. 25, with the tope on Saturday, Jan. 16. Walking around town is free; the bullfights, rodeo and concerts are ticketed.
This guide is for travelers in Costa Rica in January who want to see a real local fiesta. It covers dates, the main events, how to get there, where to stay and what to expect.
| Palmares Festival | At a glance |
|---|---|
| When | Mid to late January; 2027 events run Jan. 15–25 |
| Where | Palmares, Alajuela province, off Route 1 near San Ramón |
| From San José | About 1 hour by car; about 1 hour 20 minutes by bus |
| Main events | Tope, toros a la tica, rodeo, carnival parade, Sunday concerts, races |
| Cost | Free to walk around; tickets for bullring events and concerts |
| Organizer | Asociación Cívica Palmareña, a local nonprofit |
| Best for | Travelers who want a local fair, horses and live music |
Dates
When Is the Palmares Festival in Costa Rica?
The fiestas take place every January, usually starting in the middle of the month and ending on a Monday about 11 days later. Recent editions ran Jan. 16–27, 2025, and Jan. 15–26, 2026.
For 2027, the organizers’ published schedule includes:
- Saturday, Jan. 16: the Tope de Palmares at noon, and televised bullfights that night
- Tuesday, Jan. 19: a children’s bullring event in the early evening
- Friday, Jan. 22: the carnival parade at 4 p.m.
- Saturday, Jan. 23: the athletics race by day and a bull-riding championship at night
- Sunday, Jan. 24: the Gran Rodeo at 3 p.m.
- Toros a la tica: most nights from Jan. 15 to 25, usually at 8 p.m.
Concert lineups are announced closer to the festival. Check the festival’s official site and its Facebook and Instagram pages (Palmaresoficial.cr) for final times.
The basics
What Is Fiestas de Palmares?
Palmares is a farming town in the western Central Valley, and its January fiestas are one of the biggest events on Costa Rica’s festival calendar. For years they had a reputation as the country’s biggest party, with crowds packing the fairgrounds and drinking tents until late at night.
That has changed. In recent years the Asociación Cívica Palmareña, which runs the event, has shifted toward a more family-oriented fair, and its leaders have said attendance is well below the levels of about 15 years ago. Expect a lively town fair with plenty of beer and loud music, but not the out-of-control party some older articles describe.
Money raised goes to local causes. Recent editions have funded upgrades to the bullring, youth sports programs and a local care home, and the Palmares Red Cross committee has benefited in the past.
Events
Palmares Festival Events Worth Seeing
The tope (horse parade)
The tope is the festival’s big opening-weekend event. Riders on Costa Rican horses parade through town at midday, and crowds line the streets to watch. Arrive early to get a spot along the route, and bring a hat and sunscreen. Read more about the tradition in our guide to Costa Rica’s tope parades.
Toros a la tica (Costa Rican bullfights)
Costa Rican bullfighting isn’t the Spanish version. Volunteer amateurs, called improvisados, jump into the ring and try to provoke and dodge the bull. The bull is not killed or wounded, and government veterinarians check the animals. The people in the ring are another story: injuries are common. Animal welfare groups still oppose the events, so skip them if that bothers you. Many of the shows are broadcast on national TV, and tickets are sold online through the organizers. See our guide to bullfighting in Costa Rica.
Rodeo and riding events
The bullring also hosts a bull-riding championship, a rodeo and horse shows during the festival’s second week.
Carnival parade
The carnival moves through the streets on the second Friday afternoon, with floats, bands and dancers. Our guide to Costa Rican traditional dances and folklore explains some of what you’ll see.
Concerts and music tents
International headliners usually play on Sundays, with shows starting around midday and the main act in the afternoon. In 2026, Óscar D’León and Piso 21 played, and tickets ranged from about ₡11,000 to ₡42,000 (roughly $20 to $85), with some 2-for-1 deals. At night, a large tent hosts DJs and local bands. For background, see our guide to the music of Costa Rica.
Races and family days
The festival includes a running race, a mountain bike race and an off-road ride, all open to registered participants. A children’s day offers rides and kid-focused events.
Food
What to Eat and Drink
Food stalls around the fairgrounds sell fair food such as chicharrones (fried pork) and churros, plus local beer. Bring small colón bills, since not every stand takes cards. If you want to try guaro, Costa Rica’s sugarcane liquor, read our guide to Cacique guaro first. For more on local dishes, see our Costa Rican food guide.
Getting there
How to Get to Palmares from San José
By car
Take Route 1 west from San José past the airport toward San Ramón. The drive is about 50 kilometers and takes roughly an hour without traffic. On tope day and weekends, roads into town back up and parking fills early. Traffic police run checkpoints during the fiestas, and Costa Rica’s drunk-driving penalties are strict, so plan a designated driver or skip the car at night. See our guides to Costa Rica car rental and driving in Costa Rica.
By bus
Autotransportes Palmares runs buses from its terminal next to the Mercado La Coca-Cola in downtown San José, about every 30 minutes. The ride takes about 1 hour 20 minutes and costs a few dollars. Check the last return bus before you go. Our Costa Rica bus guide covers the San José terminals.
From the airport
Palmares sits west of Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) along Route 1, so it’s an easy add-on at the start or end of a trip. See our Costa Rica airport guide.
Staying
Where to Stay for the Palmares Festival
Palmares itself has few hotels. Most visitors stay in San Ramón, Grecia, Atenas or Alajuela, or near the airport, and drive or take a taxi in. Book early for the tope weekend. If you’re staying in San José, a day trip by bus works fine.
Tips
Tips for Visiting the Palmares Festival
- Go by day for families: the tope, carnival and children’s day are the most family-friendly events. The music tents get loud and crowded late at night.
- Dress for the weather: January is dry season in the Central Valley, with strong sun by day and cooler, often windy evenings. See our guide to the best time to visit Costa Rica.
- Watch your things: keep phones and wallets in front pockets in crowds, and go out at night in a group. Our Costa Rica safety tips apply here.
- Buy bullring and concert tickets early: popular nights can sell out.
- Plan your ride home: arrange a taxi or check bus times before the evening shows.
Is it for you?
Who Should Go and Who Should Skip It
Go if you’re in the Central Valley in mid-January and want to see horses, a local fair and Costa Ricans at a party. It also fits easily into the first or last day of a trip near the airport.
Skip it if you dislike crowds, loud music or bullring events, or you’d have to drive far just for one day. If you’re in the country over the holidays instead, the Fiestas de Zapote in San José is a similar fair. For other events, see our guide to Costa Rica’s holidays and celebrations.
FAQ
Palmares Festival FAQ
When is the Palmares Festival in 2027?
The published schedule runs from Friday, Jan. 15, to Monday, Jan. 25, 2027, with the tope on Saturday, Jan. 16, at noon. Check the organizers’ official channels for final times and concerts.
Is the Palmares Festival free?
Walking around town and watching the tope and carnival parade are free. Bullfights, the rodeo and concerts need tickets, and rides and food cost extra.
Are bulls killed at the Palmares bullfights?
No. Costa Rican bullfights, called toros a la tica, don’t allow killing or wounding the bull. Amateur volunteers dodge the bull in the ring, and injuries to people are common.
How far is Palmares from San José?
About 50 kilometers west along Route 1, roughly an hour by car or about 1 hour 20 minutes by bus from the terminal next to the Mercado La Coca-Cola.
Is the Palmares Festival good for families?
By day, yes. The tope, carnival parade and children’s day suit families. Late nights in the music tents are crowded and loud and better suited to adults.
Where should I stay for Fiestas de Palmares?
Palmares has few hotels, so most visitors stay in San Ramón, Grecia, Atenas, Alajuela or San José. Book early for the tope weekend.
The short version
Fiestas de Palmares runs about 11 days in mid to late January; 2027 events run Jan. 15–25.
Go on tope day (Saturday, Jan. 16, 2027) or for the carnival parade if you only have one day.
Take the bus or arrange a driver, and buy bullring and concert tickets in advance.