Indigenous people lived in the Pre-Columbian times in what is now Costa Rica. Cristopher Columbus arrived in Quiribri island, known today as Isla Uvita, in 1502 during his fourth expedition. On September 15th, 1821 Costa Rica declared its independence from Spain. During the 20th century the country experienced only two periods of violence for political reasons. Nowadays the country has a solid democratic system.

Besides, Costa Rica’s traditions and culture have received a strong influence from Spain. Also Indigenous people have influenced the lifestyle enormously. Most people descend from Spanish as well as indigenous people. Some Costa Ricans also descend from African-Jamaicans workers that helped in the construction of railways in the 19th century. As for religious celebrations, Pascua (Easter) and Semana Santa (Holy Week) is a time when Costa Ricans express their faith. Street processions take place every day the week before Easter. Locals refer to themselves as tico or tica (female), a term that comes from the popular diminutive suffix for Spanish words e.g. asuntico instead of asuntito, momentico instead of momentito and so on.