Een Reisje door de Republiek Costa-Rica De Aarde en haar Volken, 1907

A weary traveler steps off the boat at Punta Arenas and is greeted by a bustling port framed by towering palms and sheer cliffs that plunge into a calm, fish‑rich bay. The governor’s brass band welcomes the newcomers, while the streets pulse with a lively mix of Chinese merchants, indigenous vendors, and locals accustomed to the perpetual heat. Even the language feels respected here, as the narrator notes the warm reception given to European literature and conversation.

From this vibrant seaside outpost the journey heads inland toward San José, weaving through rugged terrain where jungle, volcanoes and two oceans shape everyday life. Early observations reveal a nation of diverse peoples, a “melting pot” that sets Costa Rica apart from its neighbors, and an emerging network of railways promising to tame the previously impassable roads. The narrator’s first impressions paint a picture of a country poised between tradition and modernity, inviting further exploration.