Caldera Port
Historical Overview
Costa Rica was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502, when he landed near Puerto Limón on the Atlantic shore. Believing he had discovered a land of vast wealth, he named it “Costa Rica”, which means “Rich Coast”.
Unlike other parts of Central America, the colonization was relatively bloodless. The local inhabitants were mainly sedentary Indians farmers whose numbers were eventually depleted when introduced to European disease.
The first capital city was Cartago, founded in 1563. Eventually, the capital was moved west to San José in 1737. Independence from Spain was declared in 1821, beginning a period of civil war between the Liberal and Conservative factions.
After independence, the government anxiously sought goods that could be exported and taxed for revenue. Coffee, which had been introduced from Cuba, was the answer. The government offered free land to coffee growers, thus building a peasant landowning class. The prosperity brought by coffee exportation since the 1850’s resulted in higher birth rates and settlement expansion. Costa Rica’s long tradition of democracy began in 1889 and has continued to the present day. The only lapse in this record was in 1948 when the constitution was abolished and a military dictatorship took over. One year later, a new constitution was adopted and the army was permanently abolished. In 1983, the country made an official proclamation of neutrality.
Costa Rica today is a model of democracy and political stability. It boasts a fine health care system, telecommunications network and school systems with one of the highest literacy rates in the world – 92 percent.
Puerto Caldera
An industrial port complex for both cruise ships and cargo vessels, Puerto Caldera belongs to the Esparza Puntarenas Province.
It began functioning as a port in 1577 and foreign maritime commerce was transferred there from Puntarenas City in 1834.
The opening of the new port in 1972 brought new industries, more tourists and other development for the nation. It also serves as the primary access point from the Pacific Coast to the historic capital San Jose.
There are no passenger amenities in Puerto Caldera except for a small, air-conditioned terminal with restrooms, information desk, public phones and a small selection of craft vendors. There is also an International Calling Center which accepts major calling cards.
The unspoiled natural beauty of the region is one of Puerto Caldera’s main attractions. Its rain forest, which start just inside the coastline and continue up into the mountain ranges, contain rivers, waterfalls, parks and wildlife preserves.
About 20 miles south of Puerto Caldera are two forest reserves, known for their large and diverse populations of forest and aquatic birds: the Biological Reserve of Carara, and a preserve that encompasses the islands of Guayabo, Negritos and Los Pajaros.