• Costa Rica History
• Costa Rica
• Know Costa Rica
• Costa Rica Culture

The first European explorer to encounter Costa Rica was the Christopher Columbus. In 1502 Columbus landed off the coast during his fourth voyage to the New World. His arrival was welcomed and treated with with great hospitality by the indigenous peoples who had never seen white men before. A late explorer by the name of Gil Gonzalex Davila would name the area Costa Rica (Gold Coast) after observiing locals wearing gold in their ears and noses.

Costa Rica has a feel very distinct compared to other former Spanish colonies. The influence of the Spanish in this region was relatively weak due to the tough terrain and of course a lack of precious metals. As such during colonial times the attention of the Spanish where focused on places such as Mexico and Peru.

Mexico rebelled against Spain in 1821. Following Mexico's lead, Costa Rica and the rest of Central America soon followed. Independence followed shortly afterwards.

Military rule did occur off and on during the following years, however the brutality seen in neighboring countries did not happen in Costa Rica. As it turns out many of the military rulers actually promoted many useful and popular social reforms.

The main turning point in Costa Rica as it relates to political stability came about as a result of the civil war in 1948. After a brief but bloody civil war Jose Maria Figueres Ferrer came to power.

Under his leadership Costa Rica saw significant social changes. The military was abolished, women and blacks gained the vote, and presidential terms were limited. These actions set the foundation for once of the more peaceful and prosperous nations found in Latin America today.

Learn Spanish in Costa Rica

• Learn Spanish in Heredia.
• Learn Spanish in Monteverde.
• Learn Spanish in Flamingo Beach.
• Learn Spanish in Playa Jacó.
• Learn Spanish in Coronado.