The church known as the Santuario de San Lazaro is the focus of an immense pilgrimage. In December, 50,000 people or more converge on the sanctuary. Most come on foot, but some ride bicycles, some travel in old cars or in the few buses, and some even shuffle on bended knee. The route to El Rincon is lined with stalls where people sell candles and homemade snacks.

At the church, candles are lit and prayers offered to Saint Lazarus – the brother of Martha and Mary, in the image of a black saint. In the eyes of the pilgrims, the saint is seen as Babalu Aye, the Yoruba orisha of illness. Many people make offerings of food or money and then rely on the orisha to cure them.