Golfito Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
district in Golfito canton, Puntarenas province, Costa Rica
About Golfito
The history of Golfito is an interesting one because the conquest of Costa Rica started here in 1519, when the Spaniards arrived from Panama. During colonial times, it was a small, quiet, fishing town few people cared about. Until 1919, most inhabitants where of Colombian (later Panamanian) origin. The town of Golfito, and surrounding communities, boomed during the banana business years (1935-1985), but it fell victim to its mono-business dependency, when United Brands (formerly United Fruit) closed its banana operations, and concentrated only in African oil palm. A major labor strike prompted United Brands to switch completely to palm, which requires substantially less labor. The city is now slowly recovering partly due to tourism. Five years after United Brands's departure the Costa Ri
Top Attractions in Golfito
Explore the best things to see and do in Golfito:
- ★Playa Cacao
- ★Steam Engine from Banana Railway
Where to Eat in Golfito
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴El Chante Mexicano
- 🍴La Playa
Where to Stay in Golfito
- 🏨Saladero Lodge
Golfito Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 8 sections including: