Costa Rica Cultural Heritage: Annual Ox Cart Parade & Atenas Climate Fair
Our community is home to some incredible cultural activities in Atenas, Costa Rica. The annual Climate Festival activities are among our favorites! One of the primary attractions is the legendary Climate Fair and Ox Cart Parade. This tradition began in 2005, and since then, every year during the last week of April (April 27th, 28th, and 29th), both locals and visitors have gathered to celebrate this cultural event.
Atenas is well-known for its pleasant climate, which has been dubbed the “best climate in the world” and therefore inspired the festival’s moniker.
Climate Fair
The activities begin on the first day with a farmer’s market at 6 a.m. Along with the sale of locally grown products, there are cultural exhibitions and environmental presentations.
This event allows Costa Ricans and tourists to learn about Atenas’ history and development. With a focus on agrotourism, ecotourism, and cultural tourism, the festival has something for everyone. Through attractions like the Atenas Ox Cart Museum and traditional practices like ox cart driving, sugarcane milling, and mask-making, locals and tourists alike can learn more about Costa Rica’s cultural heritage.
The Atenas Climate Fair acts as a recreation and cultural hub. During the concerts, music workshops, artisan booths, and traditional food vendors, the attendees can enjoy and learn at the same time!
Elia Molina, President of the Atenas Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, stated that “preserving traditions through expressions such as crafts and typical cuisine is one of the main goals of this fair, which also promotes significant family bonding with activities suitable for all ages.” The primary goal of this event is to bring Costa Rican families closer to the city of Atenas.
Atenas Ox Cart Parade
Additionally, the Ox Cart Parade is another major element of the festivities. The Atenas Ox Cart Association, the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), and the Atenas Chamber of Tourism and Commerce (CATUCA) are the event’s hosts. While the Ox Cart Parade is a fun family activity, it also aims to preserve a legacy. Because of this parade, Costa Ricans can remember the important role ox carts played in history as the first mode of transportation, freight transport, and even ambulances!
Atenas used to be a hub of ox cart traffic. Because of its strategic location, it was a popular rest stop for travelers between the Pacific Coast and the Central Valley. Every day, over 400 ox carts passed through Atenas, seeking shelter for the night before continuing their journey at daylight. In honor of this legacy, Atenas is home to the National Monument to the Costa Rican Ox Cart Driver.