carretas

Carretas is the plural form of carreta, a term used in Portuguese and Spanish to refer to wheeled vehicles drawn by animals, such as a wagon or cart, used to transport people or goods. In contemporary Portuguese, carreta can also denote a road trailer or semi-trailer towed by a truck. The plural form carretas can refer to multiple such vehicles, depending on the regional context.

Historically, carretas were essential in agriculture and trade in rural areas of Iberia and Latin America, used for hauling crops, timber, or other supplies. In Costa Rica, the carreta (ox-cart) is a folkloric symbol; traditional ox carts are elaborately painted and decorated and played a role in the transport of coffee and bananas during the 19th and early 20th centuries, reflecting a distinctive craft and aesthetic.

In modern logistics, carretas in Portuguese-speaking countries refer to road trailers used in freight transport, often seen in trucking and cargo operations. The term also persists in rural and historical contexts in Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula, where it continues to appear in place names, culture, and traditional crafts.