The Founding of San Vito, Costa Rica: Italians, Coffee & a Love Story

We've always wanted to visit San Vito, located just 20 minutes from the Panamanian border in the south of Costa Rica, at 3,268 feet elevation. The attraction for us here is that the town was settled in the 1950's by a group of Italian immigrants. Since all four of my grandparents are from Italy (Sicily), we were especially interested in learning more about the history of this town.

[@philphillips1517]

I am a tico and spent one year living in Montréal with Canadian-Italians from south Italy , They are very similar from us and I really enjoy that time. I think CR has been bless with European immigration that has helped this country to the economic development and democracy, a very different Central American country aimed to be an example of peace in the region ! We´ve really got a chance to be a successful country !

[@lindsayrollin4291]

I really enjoyed listening to this very nice man and hearing all about his family and history. I am a Canadian living in Montreal and I`ve lived in Montreal all my life and love Montreal. I have visited Costa Rica as a tourist 9 times over the years . My first time visiting Costa Rica was 1991. I always stay in the beach town Jaco because of it`s closeness to the airport in San Jose. The only thing more I`d of liked to see in this video is a tour of San Vito . Take care and all the best , Cheers , Pura Vida .

[@TheTexasTodd]

What's great video. I can listen to these old timers all day.

[@sebastianmontenegro4615]

I would suggest reading the book "Ho bruciato le mie navi tra queste montagne" (I burned my ships on these mountains) for a more accurate documentation about the colony of San Vito. Even if the inside story of someone that lived and worked in the colony is interesting, there are a lot of lies and resentment overlooking the many troubles of building a colony in a tropical forest. As the nephew of the person who tried to give a better life to many post-war Italians families (which by way, it the refers to "Vito" the Saint of the Inmigrants, not himself) I feel insulted by such declarations. The only thing he got right, was that Company did failed because of lack of roads (The Costarican Government didn't building them on time as stated by their contract). Many Italians fleet to other parts of Costa Rica and overseas afterwards. Many years later as my grandfather lost everything and won it back with hard labor (coffee finally produced really good gains), a small church was built overlooking the town of San Vito. Here, on its walls it is written: "Para los que dieron y no vieron" (For those that gave, but never received back")

[@retireforlesscr5871]

Yes, but it's this guy's story. From his point of view, it's very accurate.

[@camolita7]

7:42 It's called critical thinking!