Costa Rican oxcarts

Traditional Costa Rican oxcarts, known locally as “los boyeros”, are carts pulled by oxen as a means to transport of goods.

[1] Today, Costa Rican oxcarts are mainly used for celebrations and art rather than their original purpose, transporting goods.

[2][3] Originally, Spanish colonizers brought the design of the oxcart to Costa Rica as a tool to assist with transportation and work.

[2][4] This new cart allowed for the transportation of these beans across beaches, hills, mountains, and swamps due to its spoke-less wheels.

Eventually, contests were held to award the “most creative and inspiring ox cart designs.” Many of these are still a part of tradition today.

Many oxcarts were even designed to make its own ‘song’, a unique chime created when a metal ring strikes the hub nut of the wheel while going down the road.

In each aspect of agricultural labor, the countrymen abide by the strength of their oxen, plowing the earth, hauling harvests, and bringing sugar cane to the mills.

[3] Today, these carretas don't show much resemblance to the original rectangular carts that were covered by rawhide tarps.

Though trucks and trains have replaced oxcarts, many farmers still stick to the old ways by using them during harvest season or when places are too rough for modern vehicles.

But, the Costa Rican oxcart stands out due to its unique and colorful patterns and shapes many times including even flowers, stars, and animals.