Before Costa Rica became known as “Costa Rica”, it was once part of the territory of Veragua in the mysterious lands across the sea claimed by the Spanish. The area could have retained the name of Veragua if it wasn't for the misconception of huge riches the first Spanish explorers thought Costa Rica contained.
In September 1502, the small storm-battered ship of Christopher Columbus and his crew anchored in a small bay off what is now the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica. Columbus was on his fourth
