Costa Rica is feeling the growing pains of transitioning from a dignified rural economy to a developing nation under the rule of globalization. News reports from the municipality of Liberia, one of the most important cities of Guanacaste, indicate that a requirement from the National Institute of Insurance (Spanish initials: INS) could effectively prevent the traditional town fair unless liability policies are purchased.

The surprising news were initially reported by Diario Extra and later by Guanacaste online news site Primero en Noticias. The problem seems to be centered on a requirement by INS that calls for a master insurance policy to cover all municipal employees and workers in general operating on or near the bullring.

Each year, Liberia holds a family-friendly town fair to celebrate the civic unity of this prosperous town, which is home to national landmarks such as the Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), the Ad Astra Rocket Company and EARTH University.

The festivities include amusement rides, fireworks, cattle shows, food stalls, live music, a trinket marketplace, bingo, dancing, and -of course- the traditional Costa Rican “bullfights,” in which bulls are taunted by dilettante matadors instead of being maimed or killed. All the merriment is centered around the bullring, which the INS is planning on shutting down until policies are produced.

Municipal officials in Liberia have in fact halted preparations of the famous Camilo Reyes bullring for the time being. Some workers continued their duties, but they were likely just venting their frustration at these new requirements. According to media reports, insurance payments used to be handled in a different fashion, but the INS now wants to see the blueprints of the bullring and fairgrounds before issuing a policy. It is not clear if the municipality has such blueprints or if it intends to produce them.

As reported by the Costa Rica Star in late December, the traditional holiday parties at the Zapote fairgrounds did not feature fireworks this year due to a disagreement between INS, the municipality and the organizers of the event. The lack of fireworks and the strict enforcement of smoking restrictions exasperated some fair attendants, and a few vendors complained that these measures diminished their profits this year.