San José de los R, a charming municipality, is privileged not only for its mountainous wall, but also for its vast, deeply cultural and traditional culture.

From its origins with a deep religious culture, and strong oral and festive traditions of the Catholic religion, it possesses an incredible cultural richness, linked to its customs and agricultural activities and a prominent coffee-growing area due to the height of its mountains.

The Millennium Cross

Ancient vestiges, petroglyphs written in stone, evidence the settlement of the Sumos and Mayagnas who settled in these lands.

Origins and foundation.

According to several historians, the name San José de los R comes from the fact that grain, merchandise, and livestock were auctioned off in this town; others say it's because it was a political border crossing with Managua, Chontales, and Matagalpa. However, the most accurate explanation is "remate" (auction/sale), and the name José is due to religious influence, brought by a man named José Antonio Loaísiga, who brought the first image of Saint Joseph to the municipality. This was a very small image, and thus the name of the municipality was formed: San José (Catholic saint) and remate (linked to commerce).

In pre-Columbian times it was populated by Chontal, Sumo or Mayagna tribes and later by Nahuatl natives, this is evidenced by archaeological remains found, during the colony it is said that 12 Spanish families settled here, that is why we find white people, with light eyes, European features and surnames of Spanish origin, such as Loaisiga, Urbinas, Bermúdez among others.

Founded on March 18, 1848, under orders from the Supreme Director of the State of Nicaragua, José Guerrero, it was ordered to settle the inhabitants of Teustepe and others who wandered through these areas. It was elevated to city status on March 26, 1996.

Living folkloric expressions.

San José de los Remates is a blend of religiosity and folkloric traditions that are still observed, rooted in its origins, customs and traditions, which are evidenced by its high agricultural production, such as the planting of coffee and dairy products, etc.

Bull riding and horseback riding are a living manifestation of a predominantly productive people, but with people full of culture, especially in the care of the land and nature, as well as their traditions.

San José de los Remates is known for being producers, partygoers, mischievous, kind, good-looking and elegant people.

• Horse paradesIt is a tradition that fills the town with joy and color, with riders visiting from various parts of the country.
• Fairs and bullfighting eventsThe region's top horsemen stand out, filling their festivities with joy and excitement, along with their queens and brides who grace the events.
• Oral tradition and legendsThe stories of the older children fascinate with their tales and legends passed down from generation to generation. According to them, goblins were frightening because they stole children, and the Cegua was the threat to those who liked to stay up late, filling its inhabitants with fear and suspense. It is also said that in one neighborhood there were people who had come from Teustepe; they were sorcerers who turned into monkeys or other apparitions to scare people.
• Festivities: celebration of patron saints mainly Saint Joseph and the Virgin of Guadalupe.
• Philharmonic bands in the municipality. Currently, it has one called "Banda la Chepeña Band". made up of young people, who brighten up family parties and celebrations.
• Curd Soup Festival. Activity to promote the typical Lenten dish, promoted by the mayor's office and INTUR on Holy Wednesday of Holy Week.
• Traditional cockfights: Cockfighters from all over the country come to the very crowded and traditional fights in the municipality.

Culture and art

Petroglyphs in the El Cerro community

San José de los R, the youngest municipality in the department, has a mixture of traditional and Spanish cultures, expressed in the culture and traditions of livestock, coffee and agricultural production

Traditional farming and livestock care techniques, as well as artisanal and mystical practices, are preserved and mixed with new tools, supplies, and next-generation technologies.

This municipality also preserves, especially in the countryside, the use of animals for transport, the plow, the use of clay pots, baskets or gourds, very old clothing that is gradually being replaced by plastic.

Contemporary art is promoted through the cultural center, fostering dance, music, painting and other skills.

San José Parish Church

San José of the auctionsIt has a modern and mixed architecture, combining vernacular styles, adobe or wattle and daub houses and walls, and clay tile and wood roofs, with newer, modern constructions made of block, wood, zinc, cement, iron, and other materials. In rural areas, houses made of wood, adobe, and wattle and daub, with tile roofs, are still common.

San José Parish Church: It is an outstanding modern infrastructure located in the central part, with a 3-level bell tower, conical roof and arched entrance.

San Jose Central Park: It is a very natural and large park, with recreational areas for children, a covered court, a central kiosk, an ice cream shop and walkways that make the visitor's stay pleasant.

 Main attractions.

Canopy La Chorrera

• San Jose Central ParkLocated opposite the church, the spacious park, with its beautiful and colorful bird figures, children's play area, kiosk, benches, covered court, and walkways, makes it relaxing, cheerful, and comfortable.
• Ecological parkA space where you can connect with nature, have a picnic, and take a dip in the adult and children's pools.
• Municipal Nursery, Ideal for adventure tourism or ecotourism, climbing and enjoying scenic views.
• The canopy at La Chorrera Its elevation makes it ideal for extreme or adventure tourism.
• The Boulevard of SayingsYou can go hiking, enjoy nature tourism, have a picnic, and you can also cool off in its refreshing waters.
• Museum of the House of CultureLocated in the western part of the park.
• Titanic Center: a modern building, shaped like a ship, where parties and cultural events are held.
• Waterfalls, cascades and riversThey are striking and spectacular.

San Jose

Feast of Saint Joseph. Celebrated with great religious devotion, it begins with novenas and prayers during the second week, mainly on March 19th, but the town also participates in many traditional activities such as horse races, riding, food stalls, fairs, among others.

Traditional festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe: Religious festivals in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe are distinguished by the fervent religiosity in their celebration, vigil, pilgrimage of their devotees and promiseees, as well as the popular festival, traditional games, fair, artistic presentations, bull riding and horse riding that make it special.

Virgin of Fatima: Religious festival, celebrated on May 13th, in the region of El Coyol,

Santo Domingo. Celebrated on August 4th, in Santo Domingo and Boaquito, with festivities, food stalls, bull riding and religious activity.

Our Lady of Mercy, religious festival celebrated in the community of Las Mercedes, prayers, dances and they distribute marol and chicha.

The Virgin of the AssumptionIt is also called the little shouting, celebrated on August 15, rosaries are recited and marol with chicha is distributed.

San Miguel: celebrated in the Poza de Piedra region, with prayers, mass and good meals for its devotees.

San José de los Remates boasts a variety of dishes, drinks, and desserts based on its traditional livestock and agricultural culture. Roasted meats, dairy products, fruits, and beverages made with corn, such as tortillas, güirilas, hornadas, pinol, pinolillo, and carne asada, accompanied by tortillas or plantain slices, are staples of this municipality and delight visitors with their delicious aromas of coffee, cream, curd, and diverse flavors.

Typical dish: It's the old Indian, made of old tortilla.

Traditional drinks, the delicious chicha and pinolillo

Traditional desserts or sweets: donkey milk and milk caramels.