Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
3
Communing with hammerhead sharks and colorful reef fish in the waters
of Reserva Biológica Isla del Caño.
4
Catching a ride on one of the world's longest left breaks at the slow-paced
surfing paradise of
Pavones.
5
Looking for resplendently feathered quetzal in the cool highlands of
San
Gerardo de Dota.
6
Celebrating the vibrant
Fiesta de los Diablitos
at the Reserva Indígena
Boruca.
7
Watching the sun rise over the Golfo Dulce and set over the Pacific from
the deserted beaches on
Cabo Matapalo.
History
Costa Rica's indigenous population was almost entirely wiped out through both the direct
and indirect effects of colonization. Spanish conquistadors eventually gave way to Cathol-
ic missionaries, though the end result was the same, namely the complete disruption of
pre-Columbian life in the New World.
Even as late as the 20th century, indigenous groups were actively disenfranchised from
the Spanish-dominated society. In fact, citizenship was not granted to the indigenous popu-
lation until 1949, and reservations were not organized until 1977. In the intervening dec-
ades, indigenous groups have been allowed to engage in their traditional languages and
customs.
On the Osa, the vast majority of the peninsula was never populated or developed by Ti-
cos (Costa Ricans). In fact, because of the remoteness of the region, commercial logging
was never a threat until the early 1960s. Although this tumultuous decade saw the destruc-
tion of much of Costa Rica's remaining primary forests, Osa was largely spared. By 1975,
however, international companies were greedily eyeing the peninsula's timber and gold.
Fortunately, these ambitions were halted when researchers petitioned President Daniel
Oduber to establish a national park.
In recent years the peninsula has attracted the attention of wealthy foreigners, who have
snatched up some prime real estate, but there's hope that development will be more sus-
tainable in this part of the country, particularly since there is a vested interest in keeping
the peninsula green.
