... Conquest and Colony ...
by Infocostarica Staff

Unlike in Mexico and Perú, the conquest of Costa Rica was not accomplished with enormous battles or expeditions. It was a much more drawn-out affair which succeeded mostly from the lack of an indian empire in the region and from the decrease in population due to European diseases.

Pre-Columbian Costa Rica contained several autonomous tribes which varied in their advancement. The most advanced group were the Chorotegas (Northern region), who had a land organization system as well as slavery and a hierarchical religion. They were experts in the manufacture of beautiful jade and ceramic pieces. The rest of the tribes were less advanced but most produced other handiworks.

Let's remember that Christopher Columbus "discovered" America in 1492. It wasn't until 1502 that he set foot on the coast of Cariari in the Atlantic of Costa Rica. Columbus and his men were presented with gold and gifts brought by two young indian girls. Even though Columbus didn't return to Costa Rica, the prospect of more gold and riches attracted other explorers to the region.

After two harsh expeditions to the area, conquest and exploration were abandoned for nearly forty years. In 1506 Diego de Nicuesa encountered uncooperative tribes which caused him to abandon his mission. The expedition of 1522, led by Gil González Dávila reaped much gold but also caused the death of at least one thousand of his men, due to tropical diseases and attacks from the indians.

While important indian empires were falling- in 1532 the Incas and 1540's the Aztecs- Costa Rica was left alone, mostly because dreams of gold and jewels had proved to be illusions. It wasn't until 1559 that Spain decided to conquer Costa Rica. By then the effort wasn't great because the tribes had scattered away or died from diseases. Juan Vásquez de Coronado was the true conqueror of the region and he also established the capital in the Cartago valley. Coronado proved to be very humane, but the same can't be said about his succesors, who encouraged slavery and mistreatment of the natives.

The colonial period in Costa Rica was different than in other countries. Colonists had to work themselves because the indian labor was very scarce and the economic situation was very poor. Money became so scarce at times, that colonists had to substitute it with the indian equivalent-cacao beans.

In 1723 an eruption of the Irazú volcano destroyed the small town of Cartago, but during this same century cities like San José, Heredia and Alajuela, started growing in population and infrastructure. The towns always revolved around the church and plaza.

Wheat and tobacco were among the first products to be exported to Spain and other countries. Later on, cacao plantations became relevant, as well as cattle. Despite these exports, Costa Rica remained an extremely poor country during its colonial period. It would have to wait until the 1850's (thirty years after its independence from Spain) for coffee to become the country's economic savior.