This paper represents an overview of the Nicaraguan refugee situation in Costa Rica during the 1980s. The study first considers the differing rates of Nicaraguan migration to Costa Rica during the 1980s. It then describes the refugees' ethnic and locational origin and relates these to subsequent settlement patterns in Costa Rica. The paper concludes by discussing the status of Nicaraguan refugees in Costa Rica as of mid-year 1993. After a slow start in 1980-82, migrant numbers peaked in 1983 and fluctuated during the remainder of the decade. By 1989 over 75% of all refugees in Costa Rica were from Nicaragua. Nicaraguan migration to Costa Rica during the 1980s occurred in a series of waves that were composed of migrants from different ethnic groups and places of origin; Miskitu Indians and Creoles from the Atlantic Coast, rural mestizos from the eastern border regions, and urban mestizos from Managua and other cities of the Central Depression. Miskitu Indians and Creoles were placed in refugee camps, rural mestizos relocated to rural areas near the Nicaraguan border, and migrants from urban areas sought refuge in San Jose and other cities of the Valle Central. -from Author

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Nicaraguan refugees migration rate ethnicity developing country settlement pattern migrants' status Costa Rica refugee flows Refugees