Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
walks and fireworks light up the night. The queens appear on Saturday night and their
coronation is held on Sunday. Monday is masquerade day and on Tuesday townswomen
don
polleras.
By tradition, the town is divided into two groups,
calle arriba
(high street) and
calle
abajo
(low street); both compete intensely in every aspect of the fiesta. Each calle has its
own queen, floats and songs. Each day begins with members parading in street clothes
and singing songs that poke fun at the rival group. Jokesters toss tinted water, blue dye
and shaving cream at the opposing side. No one is spared - so dress expecting to get
filthy.
Fiestas Patronales de Santa Librada
RELIGIOUS
On July 20 church services are accompanied by street celebrations that recall a medieval
fair, with gambling, dancing, singing, and excessive eating and drinking - it's a strange
juxtaposition of the sacred and the profane.
Fiesta de la Pollera
FESTIVAL
Features a parade of beautiful young women who model the national costume as they
pass through the streets on July 22, all while being judged on their grace and on the artis-
anship, design and authenticity of their costumes.
Sleeping & Eating
Hotel Piamonte
HOTEL $
( 923-1603; hotelpiamonte@hotmail.com; Av Belisario Porras; d US$33, annex s/d US$22/29;
)
Clean and kept with frilly bedspreads, Piamonte is a friendly place to lay your
head. Ask for a room with window. There's a downstairs restaurant and the annex across
the street has bargain rooms without air-con or hot water.
Hotel La Luna
INN $$$
( 6525-9410;
www.hotel-laluna.com
; Playa Uverito; d/tr/q US$60/75/80; )
Located
11.5km out of town on the beach, this modern house is an upscale option for those who
want to celebrate the local festivities in style. Run by the charming Lucas from Milan,
this two-story minimalist house has glass-front rooms, modern art and a kidney-shaped
pool. Rooms have hot water and cable TV.
You can organize fishing tours, horseback riding and other activities onsite. A taxi
from the center of town costs US$8.
