European Settlement

Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus landed in modern day Costa Rica near Limón in 1502. Columbus was met with friendly natives, so he reported that Veragua (the name he gave the land) was ready to colonize.

Map of Veraguas

In 1506, governor Diego de Nicuesa goes to establish the colony on Veragua but is met with hostilities. The natives burned their crops so they would not have to feed the Spanish Conquistadors.

After the discovery of a passage from the Pacific Ocean, Spaniards travel to Panama and then Costa Rica where they are met with gift bearing natives. These natives are converted to Catholicism by the Spanish priests; smallpox is introduced, killing off many of the native peoples.

Central American natives dying from smallpox taken from Florentine Codex 

Juan Vásquez de Coronado became the governor of Veragua in 1562. He established the capital near Volcán Irazú named Cartaga. In 1723, Volcán Irazú erupted and nearly destroyed Cartaga.

View of  Volcán Irazú from Central Valley

After the eruption, Spanish population increased and established three more towns in the Central Valley. This growth led to the establishment of silver mines and cacao plantations where natives were forced to work as slaves. The hard labor and diseases led to a further decline in the native population.

Other websites on the subject:
Geographia
Viva Costa Rica
Effect of Spanish rule in Costa Rica