In the 18th century, during the era of patriarchs and coffee barons, the Yglesias family built this large two-storey wooden construction as the centrepiece of their impressive rural estate.

Rafael Yglesias Castro, a descendant of that family and grandson of the "Founder of the Republic" José María Castro Madriz, served as distinguished President of Costa Rica for two consecutive periods from 1894 to 1902.

During his term of office, Don Rafael initiated the railway to the Pacific, constructed the Port of Limón, completed the National Theatre, contracted the first tramway, improved medical attention in the provinces, and introduced books of Costa Rican writers in public schools. Mainly during the summer months, Don Rafael used Casona Río Fortuna with his family as a country retreat.

Over the years, the building became a local landmark. Workers coming to the San Carlos region to look for job oportunities, stayed at Casona Río Fortuna till they found an employer or moved on.

Long ago, an important communication road for oxcarts and horses passed in front of casona. When water level made the crossing of Fortuna river impossible, travelers stayed overnight and continued their journey the next morning. Also, the first telegraph station in the region was operating at the casona.

Later on, the only airstrip in the area was located behind the dairy farm. Therefore, the casona became an important trading post offering goods imported from San José by plane. The salesroom was located in today’s office and clients came from far away to purchase goods they couldn’t get anywhere else.

The last owners of the estate, the Rodriguez family, lived in the casona with 23 (!) children and strongly dedicated to horse breeding. When Mrs. Rodriguez became widow, she decided to leave the casona.

That’s when we decided to rescue the casona and its surroundings to preserve it along with local culture and traditions for future generations.