Costa rica Timeline By pim 2001 Jan 1, 1502 columbus finds costa rica Jan 1, 1561 juan de cavallon first collony Jan 1, 1808 coffee primary crop Jan 1, 1838 costa rica becomes independent Jan 1, 1874 banana cultrvation begins Jan 1, 1910 earthquake detroyed cartago 700 killed Jan 1, 1919 us marines invade costa rica Jan 1, 1948 civil war ends 2000 dead Jan 1, 1968 arenal volcano erupted Apr 11, 1999 1000000 touristes go to costa rica