AMAZING ART

The ox carts in Costa Rica have a long, deep history in economics and the arts. These carts are not just a means of transportation; they represent the spirit of a country.

The ox carts were part of everyday life in Costa Rica, and helped usher the country into commerce and the exportation of goods, starting in the 1840's. One of the main goods that Costa Rica exported was coffee, with the inaugural shipment going to London in 1843. It was the ox carts that loaded up the cargo at the coffee plantations, and traveled on small, rough roads to the main ports. This trip could sometimes take up to two weeks, one way.

Ox carts, being such an important part of the culture, were of course not left to be dull or boring. Instead, they became living, moving pieces of art.

Check out our video when we visited Pinturas y Artesanias Bonilla to learn more about these beautiful carts and their history.