Costa Rica is a popular tourist destination in Central America. From lush forests to beautiful beaches and high mountains, the country offers everything a traveler may seek. History 1. Costa Rica was first settled 9000-12000 years ago by nomadic hunter-gatherer tribes arriving from the north. Several archeological remains have been dated back to this period. 2. Costa Rica was ‚discovered‘ by Christoph Columbus on his fourth journey in 1502. 3. In 1563, Cartago became the fir