Tope is the Christmas parade - and a good chance to see Costa Rica in action! In the little town of Rivas, just a few miles outside of San Isidro de El General, Tope happened on a Sunday, scheduled for 10 a.m. but finally getting started around 1:00. First a float - festooned in aluminum foil and carrying a life sized version of the Virgin Mary along with several young girls all dressed up. Then the ox carts - pulled by matching pairs of oxen or cattle - one with Santa! The last of the parade featured horses and riders from the gaited, high stepping Costarricense Paso alongside riders on all sorts of other animals, including water buffalo!