Economy of Monte Verde

Agriculture has long been the main source of income and sustenance for both Costa Ricans and Quakers in Monteverde. The original Creole populations were restrained by poor infrastructure, and relied mostly on subsistence agriculture. Initially they hunted tapirs, deer, pacas, monkeys, and birds, but diminished those populations and turned to pigs, corn, beans, vegetables, fruits, herbs and livestock. In the 1950s, both Quakers and Costa Ricans produced garlic, beef, flax, and homestead cheese. The Quakers took