The territory that currently corresponds to the canton of Santa Ana, was inhabited by Indians called Reino Huetar de Occidente where they were the domain of Cacique Garabito at the beginning of the conquest. This area was also called Señorío de Garabito, Reino de Garabito or Cacicazgo de Garabito. It was conformed by a confederation of smaller cacicazgos where they paid tribute to a major cacique. They were in the Central Valley of Costa Rica, from the Pacific coast to the west side of the Virilla River and the Grande de Tárcoles River.

Juan de Cavallón, the first conquistador, went into the Central Valley as the region protected them from the attacks of the natives. In the 16th century the colonizing process began, where Don Jerónimo de Retes; alguacil mayor of Cartago, was made of those lands which were ceded by the Crown of Spain for recognition of their services. A curious fact about the origin of the name Santa Ana is due to one of the daughters of Don Jerónimo de Retes; Ana de Restes, where she sold the land that is now in the city of Santa Ana

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