Historic Review of Garabito County

The discovery of the area known as Garabito (Tárcoles to Hermosa) dates from 1522, during expeditions by Gil Gonzalez Davila. At that time, the area was occupied by indigenous people from the West Huetar Kingdom.

At the beginning of the European Conquest of the Americas, the Huetar Kingdom had a main cacique (tribe leader) called Garabito. He was very powerful because of the extensive territory that was under his control (from San Jose to the Pacific coast, and perhaps even to the Atlantic coast), and because of his resistance to the Spanish conquest.

There were many confrontations between the Conquerors and Cacique Garabito’s men in the territory known to the Spanish as “the Province of Garabito”. In 1561, Juan de Caballón (who at that time was in charge of Costa Rica’s conquest) and a team of 90 soldiers arrived and set base close to the Ciruelas River, where they established the city of Garcimuñoz (in the area today known as Turrucares). Later they founded Villa de los Reyes (Orotina) and the Port of Landecho (Tivives).

Juan de Caballón repeatedly tried to catch Cacique Garabito, but he always responded with strength or wisdom. The process of conquering Costa Rica continued, but the Spaniards were not able to catch the Cacique.

In the mist of the confrontation, Juan de Caballón was replaced by Juan Vásquez de Coronado. When Vásquez de Coronado arrived to Costa Rican territory, with a group of 80 men, he found that there was a general revolt of the indigenous people seized by his predecesor. Vásquez de Coronado's policy was less strict, and thus, he was able to dominate most of the Costa Rican Caciques, with the exception of Garabito. As a result, he gave an order of war against Garabito, who was judged without defense, and given death penalty. From then on, a hunt for Garabito started, even after Vásquez de Coronado left charge. Garabito continued to hide and even attack the Spanish people. Nevertheless, he started losing strength and support.

During the government of Alonso Anguciana, Garabito returned to the Coyoche Valley, where he was finally captured and taken to the Spanish authorities. Garabito was allowed to spend his last years in Coyoche.

There are not many records of the historical development of the Region of Garabito after the conquest. Fishing villages started forming and slowly growing in Jacó, Herradura, Agujas, Tárcoles, Mantas, and others. By the 1920’s, Jacó was still a rural area, inhabited by very few families; all of them dedicated to agriculture and commerce. These families included:

1. Pastor Díaz Gómez (Jacó’s Central Avenue is named after him)

2. Encarnación Morales

3. Felipe Aparicio

4. Luís Méndez

5. Felipe Díaz

Until the road to Orotina was opened, the area could only be accessed by boat.

The development process was slow. In 1927, Jacó’s Mixed School was opened, and in 1946 a Catholic Church was founded. These buildings were evidence that the population was starting to concentrate in Jacó, and they served to give an identity to the area.

In 1965, Jacó was named a district of the province of Puntarenas, which opened the door for new infrastructure. For example, the water system (1976), the main road “Costanera Sur” that gave access to the Central Pacific region (1978), and the electricity system (1981). This infrastructure allowed for community dynamism and tourism development. The distance to San José, and the availability of reasonable access roads was an important incentive for internal tourism.

More intensive development started in 1983, when Jacó was named the capital of the Garabito region. From then on, Jacó has experienced faster population growth, going from 3,144 to 10,378 people. The population has grown at an annual rate of 7.5%, the fastest in the country between 1984 and 2000.

Tourism has been the main engine for development, and the most important economic activity in the region. Nowadays, Jacó is a major destination for international and domestic tourism that seek beach, nature, and water activities such as surf. Outside investment has also played a key role in the development of the area, becoming part of the area's culture.