Sarapiquí is the tenth canton in the province of Heredia in Costa Rica. The canton was established by law on November 18, 1970. The Sarapiquí River played a very important role in the defense of national sovereignty, because on 10 April 1856, the filibusters under the command of the American William Walker arrived in Costa Rica through the Sarapiquí River, where the battle of Sardinal was fought. This river and region allowed the export of goods to Europe.