Costa Rica Stood With America After 9/11 Attack
Twenty-five years after September 11, an American expat remembers how his Costa Rican community responded to tragedy with sympathy and solidarity. The bonds between the two nations proved stronger than fear.
Sometimes the most powerful moments happen far from home. On September 11, 2001, Don Mateo watched the Twin Towers fall from a small cantina in Quepos, Costa Rica, where he'd built a life managing a bar popular with American expats.
The night before had been typical. He'd served crowds watching Monday Night Football, where the biggest drama was a player's broken leg. By morning, everything had changed.
Mateo's first instinct was to call home. After fighting through jammed phone lines, he reached his brother in Los Angeles who hadn't yet heard the news. "Turn on the TV," was all he could say.
The Ripple Effect
What happened next showed how deeply Costa Rica and America are connected. At every delivery stop for his bakery business, TVs displayed the smoking towers. His Costa Rican friends and relatives responded with genuine sympathy and support.
Those with family in the United States or who had visited took it personally. The tragedy felt close because the relationship between the two countries runs deep. Tourism from the US makes up the majority of visitors to Costa Rica, and Americans consistently fall in love with the country.
In the immediate aftermath, tourism paused for a few weeks. But by December, visitors returned in full force for high season, showing that fear wouldn't permanently divide communities.
Costa Rica remains America's strong trading partner today. Expat Costa Rican communities thrive in New Jersey and Los Angeles, creating cultural bridges that survived that terrible day and continue growing stronger.
More Images
Based on reporting by Tico Times Costa Rica
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
Spread the positivity!
Share this good news with someone who needs it
