[4] The group drew members from the sudden increase in Americans living in Costa Rica during the buildup to World War II.

[5] While the organization discussed establishing a clubhouse, instead they met at a variety of locations such as the U.S. Embassy, hotels, churches, homes, and local restaurants, including a Pizza Hut.

In response to the publishing of The Ugly American, U.S. ambassador Whiting Willauer asked the group to include local Tica women and to change their name to be more inclusive in 1959.

[8][9] In order to fund these efforts, the WCCR holds frequent fundraisers including an annual bazaar,[10] special showings at the Little Theatre Group,[11] bilingual cookbooks of member recipes,[12] silent auctions,[13] formal dances, bake sales, fashion shows, and a thrift shop in the local American Legion hall.

Ambassador Anne Slaughter Andrew,[14] astronaut Franklin Chang-Díaz,[15] Costa Rican Planning and Economic Policy Minister Laura Alfaro,[7] lyric soprano singer Christine Komatsu,[16] and Latin jazz band Editus.