Costa Rica marks 202nd anniversary of Nicoya's annexation amid historical debate

Costa Rica commemorated the 202nd anniversary of the Nicoya region's incorporation into the country with a weekend of civic ceremonies, concerts, folk music, and a fair for local entrepreneurs. Events were held in Nicoya's town square and the historic monument, featuring marimbas, performances by national and international groups, and traditional food and drinks.

At the same time, two Costa Rican historians highlighted that the official term “Anexión” does not appear in the original 1824 documents. Arnaldo Rodríguez Espinoza of the University of Costa Rica noted that the era’s records use “unión,” “agregación,” and later “incorporación.” Antonio Pizarro Zelaya added that the word was likely introduced in the mid‑20th century, possibly by diplomat Felipe Molina. Their research challenges the long‑standing narrative surrounding the July 25, 1824 act that united Nicoya with Costa Rica.