History of Costa Rica

Pre-Conquest

The common Central American civilizations, including the Mexican, Aztec, Olmec, and Maya, did not reach as far south as Costa Rica. Hence, there are relatively few signs of pre-Columbian cultures in Costa Rica. The people who did live in Costa Rica during this time were relatively small in number, had no written language, and were not well organized. As a result, the pre-Columbian civilizations of Costa Rica offered little resistance to the Spaniards, and unfortunately, few of their archaeological monuments remain.

This is not to dismiss the pre-Columbian cultures as uncivilized. Travelers to Costa Rica will find many artifacts from these civilizations, including the world’s largest collection of pre-Columbian jade, located in San José’s Museo de Jade.

The Nicoya area (which consists of Costa Rica’s Península de Nicoya and extends north to Nicaragua along the Pacific coast - map) is well known as a focus of archeological study of pre-Columbian civilization. Noted for it’s pottery, ceramics, stonework and jade, the area's artifacts are an invaluable resource for learning about the pre-Columbian people who lived there.

Ceramics from Costa Rica's pre-Columbian Civilization around Nicoya
Ceramics from Costa Rica's pre-Columbian Civilization around Nicoya

In fact, the first definitive evidence of people living in Central America comes from ceramics in the Nicoya area which have been dated to around 2000 BC. However, archaeologists are nearly certain that people were living in Central America prior to 20,000 BC.

In the years from 1000 BC to 500 AD, many of the pre-Columbian cultures established villages and social hierarchies while further developing their jade production. Similarities among Mayan artifacts also provide evidence of intercultural sharing of knowledge, particularly in their pottery and jade production.

By 1000-1520 AD, the people had developed into a variety of settlements, often numbering up to 20,000, with each settlement being ruled by a sole chief. During the conquest, Spaniards quickly destroyed these settlements and few of them remain today. The remaining groups often go by the name of their last chief, as in the Chorotegas of the Greater Nicoya area.

Other pre-Columbian artifacts include the stone spheres of the Diquis region (which covers the southern half of Costa Rica). These are perhaps the most interesting remnants of pre-Columbian culture. Throughout the area, travelers will find these perfectly-shaped stone spheres dotting the land. While many are as small as a softball, others are as tall as a person. These spheres can also be seen in the Museo San José. Others can be found on the Isla del Caño, just off the Pacific Coast. Although no one knows how the stones got there or how they were carved, these artifacts certainly add to the mystique of Costa Rica’s pre-Columbian cultures.


Conquest

In 1502 Spanish explorers, along with Christopher Columbus, arrived on the east coast of what is now Puerto Limon. There were rumors that gold and other precious metals were being mined there leading the Spanish to name it "rich coast", or Costa Rica. There was little found in mineral wealth and the first Spanish colonies had difficulty establishing a healthy population on the eastern coast due to the wet climate and disease outbreaks. Many unsuccessful attempts at colonizing the coast resulted in large losses of Indians and Spanish settlers.

The first permanent settlement was founded at Cartago in the central highlands where they discovered the fertile volcanic soil and healthy climate suitable for a colony. This was unusual for the seafaring people who naturally tried to colonize the coastal areas where they could build ports and maintain contact with Spain. Juan Vasquez de Coronado arrived as governor of Cartago in 1562.

For a century and a half, the colony remained forgotten, poor and isolated. The lack of Indians resulted in a small workforce and without major trade routes at the coast they had little contact with Spain. In the 18th century, however, the colony began to spread. Next came the cities of Heredia, San José, and Alajuela. Although much of the original city of Cartago was destroyed in the eruption of Volcán Irazu in 1723, survivors rebuilt the town.

Independence

Costa Rica, along with the rest of Central America, declared independence from Spain in 1821. Costa Rica was briefly part of the Mexican Empire and then in became a state in the Central American United Provinces from 1823 to 1839. The capital was moved to San Jose in 1824. Export of coffee began during this period.

Although the newly independent provinces formed a Federation, border disputes broke out among them, adding turbulence to their union. In 1838 Costa Rica withdrew from the Federation, long after it had ceased to function properly, and proclaimed itself sovereign.

The rest of the 19th century saw a steady increase in coffee exports, where Costa Rica began an economic rise from poor and isolated to successful and worldly. As a class structure began to arise from the success of the coffee growers so too did the president and coffee farmer, Juan Rafael Mora who governed for 10 years.