Palmares Tope, Costa Rica

The annual Palmares Festival kicked off with the tope (horse parade). Approximately 2,500 riders and horses rode 3 kilometers through the town of Palmares, located in the province of Alajuela. A crowd of thousands lined up the streets under the 30 degree Celsius sun to cheer the most impressive horses. Families and friends brought chairs, ice chests, food, beer (of course), some even brought barbecues.