History of Costa Rica By TMorea Sep 18, 1502 Christpher Columbus visits the area and names it Costa Rica which means Rich Coast Jul 1, 1823 Costa Rica gained independence from Mexico Apr 11, 1856 Battle of Rivas: Costa Rica beat William Walker's invading Nicaraguans Nov 27, 1906 Costa Rica's flag was adopted Costa Rica's flag was adopted Jun 4, 1919 U.S Marines invaded Costa Rica Feb 21, 1949 Costa Rica signed a friendship treaty with Nicaragua ending hostilitie over their boarders