Golfito history

History and Origins of Golfito

Golfito is a city with a unique destiny, whose history differs radically from most ancient colonial settlements in Costa Rica. It did not emerge spontaneously but was the result of a clearly planned economic project in the mid-20th century.

Foundation and First Mentions

Until the early 20th century, the territory of the current city was sparsely populated and covered with dense jungles, inhabited by a few representatives of indigenous peoples. The birth of modern Golfito is inextricably linked to the activities of the United Fruit Company.

In the late 1930s, faced with plant diseases on the Caribbean coast, the company decided to move its banana plantations to the Pacific south of the country. Active infrastructure construction began in 1939, which is considered the actual beginning of the city's history as a major centre, although it received official administrative status in 1949.

Key Factors of Establishment

The rapid development of Golfito from a small settlement into the most important port of the region was driven by the following factors:

• Unique Geography: The city is located deep within the Golfo Dulce bay. It is one of the few natural deep-water harbours on the Pacific coast, reliably protected from ocean storms, making it ideal for large cargo ships.
• Logistics: The construction of a railway and a powerful port allowed for the mass export of bananas, turning Golfito into the economic heart of the southern region.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

During its heyday (from the 1940s to the 1980s), Golfito functioned as a classic "company town". All life here revolved around the port and plantations, providing residents with a higher level of income compared to the rest of the country.

The cultural and architectural appearance of the city was formed under the influence of strict zoning:

• American Zone (Zona Americana): Company managers and specialists lived here. The area was built up with spacious wooden houses on stilts in a characteristic colonial style, surrounded by gardens. This architecture has been preserved to this day and is a hallmark of the city.
• Civilian Sector (Pueblo Civil): An area for workers, where a more traditional life bustled and traditions of settlers from different parts of the country mixed.

Key Dates in the History of Golfito

• 1938 — The Government of Costa Rica signs a contract with the United Fruit Company, opening the way for the development of the southern region.
• 1939 — The beginning of large-scale construction of port infrastructure, the railway, and residential quarters, considered the actual founding of the city.
• 1941 — The first shipment of bananas for export is sent from the new port of Golfito, marking the beginning of an era of prosperity.
• 1949 — Golfito officially receives the status of a canton (administrative district) of the Puntarenas province.
• 1950–1970s — The "Golden Age" period, when the city was the main economic centre of the south of the country and a crucial banana port.
• 1984 — A massive strike by plantation workers occurs, becoming a turning point in relations between the company and the region.
• 1985 — The United Fruit Company decides to close operations in Golfito, leading to a sharp economic downturn.
• 1990 — To save the region's economy, the "Depósito Libre" (Depósito Libre Comercial) — a duty-free trade zone — is opened.
• Mid-1990s — The city begins reorienting towards eco-tourism, becoming a starting point for trips to the national parks of the Osa Peninsula.
• 2014 — The architectural ensemble of the "American Zone" (Zona Americana) is officially recognised as a national historical and architectural heritage of Costa Rica.
• 2017 — Completion of construction and opening of a modern marina for yachts, strengthening the city's status as a world-class sport fishing centre.

Stages of Golfito's Transformation

The development of Golfito can be divided into several key stages, each of which radically changed the appearance and purpose of the city. From a plantation settlement to an eco-tourism centre, these milestones defined the modern face of the region.

• Industrial Urbanisation (1939–1940s)

  The arrival of the United Fruit Company turned wild jungles into a strictly planned city. The construction of the railway, deep-water port, and residential quarters created infrastructure unique to Costa Rica. It was then that the clear division into the "American Zone" and residential areas for workers was formed, which still defines the architectural look of the city.

• Economic Boom (1950–1970s)

  In this period, Golfito became the main economic engine of the country's south. High salaries attracted migrants from all over Costa Rica, forming a special cultural melting pot. The port operated at full capacity, ensuring the lion's share of the state's banana exports.

• Crisis and Paradigm Shift (1985)

  The departure of the banana company following a massive strike came as a shock to the city. The closure of plantations and the halt of exports forced local residents and authorities to seek fundamentally new ways to survive, putting an end to the era of monoculture.

• Commercial Revival (1990)

  The opening of the "Depósito Libre" (Depósito Libre Comercial de Golfito) — a duty-free zone — became a lifeline for the economy. This decision turned the former agro-industrial port into a popular destination for domestic shopping tourism, attracting buyers from across the country.

• Pivot to Eco-tourism (2000s)

  The realisation of the value of the surrounding nature led to the development of tourism services. The city began positioning itself as the gateway to the Piedras Blancas and Corcovado national parks, attracting international travellers seeking wildlife.

• Waterfront Modernisation (2017–Present)

  The construction of a modern marina (Marina Bahia Golfito) marked a new stage of gentrification. Creating infrastructure for yachts and world-class sport fishing attracts investment and changes the city's image to a more elite and modern one.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

Unlike classic colonial cities in Latin America, Golfito lacks traces of Gothic, Renaissance, or Baroque styles. This city is a unique example of mid-20th century industrial planning. Its appearance was completely shaped by engineers of the United Fruit Company, who created a functional environment here, perfectly adapted to the humid tropical climate.

Architectural Styles and Eras

The development of the city can be clearly divided into two main stages, each corresponding to its own architectural approach.

• Tropical Colonial Style (1939–1985):

  This is the dominant style of the historic part of the city. Buildings were designed with practicality and comfort in jungle conditions in mind. Key features of this style:

  • Construction on high stilts for protection against floods and to improve ventilation.
  • Wide roof overhangs to protect walls and windows from torrential rains and the sun.
  • Use of valuable wood species and mosquito nets instead of glass (in original designs).
• Modern Functionalism and Neo-Resort Style (from the 1990s):

  After the departure of the banana company, new structures, particularly the trade pavilions of the duty-free zone, were built from concrete in a utilitarian style. In recent years, with the development of yacht tourism, elements of modern resort architecture using glass and composite materials have appeared on the coast.

Landmark Districts and Objects

The urban structure of Golfito still reflects the social hierarchy of the "banana empire" times:

• American Zone (Zona Americana):

  The most recognisable district of the city, holding the status of national historical heritage. This is the former residential sector for company management. Large white wooden mansions have been preserved here, surrounded by spacious lawns without fences. The architecture of this district resembles the suburbs of the southern US states of the 1940s, transplanted into the tropics.

• Pueblo Civil (Civilian Town):

  The area where workers lived. The development here is denser, the houses are smaller in size and often painted grey (hence the old name "Grey Zone"). Despite their modesty, these buildings retain a unified stylistic code with the elite part of the city.

• Banana Pier:

  A massive industrial port structure extending far into the bay. Although it is used less now, this object remains the main symbol of Golfito's industrial past.

Iconic Figures in the History of Golfito

The history of Golfito is not just a chronicle of events, but an intertwining of the destinies of politicians, tycoons, and creators. Through their decisions and labour, these people shaped the unique appearance of the city, turning it from wild jungles into a thriving port, and then into a centre for eco-tourism.

• León Cortés Castro
  President of Costa Rica (1936–1940)
  The political "godfather" of the city. It was his administration that signed the decisive contract with the United Fruit Company corporation in 1938. This document sanctioned the transfer of the banana industry to the Pacific south and gave the green light to the massive construction of the port and the city of Golfito.
• Samuel Zemurray
  President of the United Fruit Company
  A legendary entrepreneur known as "Sam the Banana Man". He led the company during its expansion into southern Costa Rica. Under his leadership, engineers designed the unique infrastructure of Golfito, including the famous "American Zone" and the railway, which defined the region's landscape for decades.
• Joaquín Gutiérrez Mangel
  Writer, journalist, and chess player
  The literary voice of the region. In his youth, Gutiérrez worked in the southern banana zone, and this experience formed the basis of his famous novels, such as "Manglar" ("Mangroves"). His books are the best artistic testimony to the life, daily routine, and social conflicts during the "golden age" of banana plantations.
• Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia
  President of Costa Rica (1940–1944)
  A great social reformer. His adoption of the Labour Code and the social security system in the 1940s fundamentally changed the lives of thousands of workers in Golfito, ensuring their rights and access to medicine in the conditions of a rigid corporate hierarchy.
• Luis Alberto Monge
  President of Costa Rica (1982–1986)
  A politician who played the role of saviour of the city's economy. In response to the crisis caused by the departure of the banana company in 1985, his government developed and approved the law on the creation of the Depósito Libre Comercial de Golfito (Duty-Free Trade Zone). This decision prevented Golfito from becoming a ghost town.
• Alvaro Ugalde Víquez
  Biologist and conservationist
  One of the "founding fathers" of Costa Rica's national park system. His tireless struggle for the creation and protection of the Corcovado National Park on the neighbouring Osa Peninsula created the base for the modern development of Golfito as the main logistical centre for eco-tourism in the region.