Costa Rica

Costa Rica Country Facts At-a-Glance

Geography: Located in Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama. Costa Rica is slightly smaller than West Virginia. The terrain consists of coastal plains separated by rugged mountains, including over 100 volcanic cones. Don’t worry, hardly any of them are active.

Capital City: San José

Population: 5.2 million (2023 est.)

Language: Spanish

Religions: Roman Catholic 52.3%, Evangelical 22.6%, Jehovah’s Witnesses 1.3%, Protestant 1.4%, other 2.9%, none 20% (2021 est.)

Ethnic Groups: White or Mestizo 83.6%, Mulato 6.7%, Indigenous 2.4%, Black 1.1%, other 1.1%, none 2.9%, unspecified 2.2% (2011 est.)

Life Expectancy: 80.4 years

Literacy Rate: 97.9% (2023 est.)

Government: Democratic republic

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Current Head of State: President Rodrigo Chaves Robles (since May 8, 2022). The president and vice presidents are elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term.

Independence: September 15, 1821 (from Spain)

Currency: Costa Rican colón (CRC)

GDP per Capita: $21,500 USD (2023 est.)

Unemployment Rate: 11.8% (2023 est.)

GDP – Composition by Sector:

• Agriculture: 4.4% – bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes, beef, poultry, dairy, timber
• Industry: 22.6% – microprocessors, food processing, medical equipment, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products
• Services: 73%

Source: CIA World Factbook

Country Basics

Costa Rica has a population of about 5.1 million people and is about the size of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It’s bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. The Central American nation is divided into seven provinces: Alajuela, San Jose, Heredia, Cartago, Guanacaste, Puntarenas, and Limon. The country includes about 79 islands.

Brief History

According to archeologists, civilization has existed in Costa Rica for over 10,000 years.

There were four major indigenous tribes living in Costa Rica — the Caribs, Borucas, Chibchas, and Diquis — before Christopher Columbus arrived in 1502.

Although the Spanish explored it early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica were unsuccessful due to the brutal heat, resistance from natives, and disease from mosquito-infested swamps.

It was not until 1563 that Juan Vasquez and his crew from Spain established the first permanent settlement in the fertile central highlands. From then on, Costa Rica remained a Spanish colony for two-and-a-half centuries.

In 1821, Costa Rica joined several provinces in the central valley, declaring independence from Spain, and establishing the Federal Republic of Central America.

Juan Mora Fernandez, Costa Rica’s first elected leader, was key in building the newly independent country between the years of 1924 through 1933.

Known as one of the most peaceful countries in Central America, only brief periods of violence have disrupted Costa Rica’s democratic development since the late 19th century. Costa Rica officially dismantled its army in 1948.

The Costa Rican government is known for implementing policies that promote tourism and economic development while also protecting human rights and the environment.

Language

Spanish is the official language, but there are a number of people in tourist areas who speak English. Still it’s helpful to have some Spanish phrases ready to go.

Greetings:

• Hello / Hola
• How are you? / ¿Cómo estás?
• Good / Bien
• Good morning / Buenos días
• Good afternoon / Buenas tardes
• Good night / Buenas noches
• Welcome / Bienvenido
• Goodbye / Adiós

Etiquette:

• Please / Por favor
• Thank you / Gracias
• Excuse me / Perdón
• Sorry / Lo siento (perdón)

Pronouns:

• I / Yo
• You / Tú
• He/she / Él/ella
• We / Nosotros
• You (plural) / Ustedes
• They / Ellos/ellas

Conversational:

• What is your name? / ¿Cómo te llamas?
  • My name is ___. / Me llamo ___.
• Where are you from? / ¿De dónde eres?
  • I am from ___. / Yo soy de ___.
• How old are you? / ¿Cuántos años tienes?
  • I am ___ years old. / Tengo ___ años.
• Do you speak English? / ¿Hablas inglés?
  • I speak a little Spanish. / Hablo un poco de español.
• Could you repeat that please? / Repite por favor.
• How do you say ___ in Spanish? / ¿Cómo se dice ___ en español?
• I don’t understand. / No entiendo.
• I want to go to ___. / Yo quiero ir a ___.
• Where is ___? / ¿Dónde está ___?
• I would like ___. / Yo quisiera ___.
• How much is it? / ¿Cuánto vale ___?

Present Tense:

• To want / Querer
  • I want / Yo quiero
  • You want / Tú quieres
  • He/she wants / Él/ella quiere
  • You (plural) want / Ustedes quieren
  • They want / Ellos/ellas quieren
  • We want / Nosotros queremos

Feelings:

• I am ___. / Estoy ___.
  • angry / Estoy enojado.
  • happy / Estoy feliz.
  • sad / Estoy triste.
  • cold / Tengo frío.
  • hot / Tengo calor.
  • sleepy / Tengo sueño.
  • hungry / Tengo hambre.
  • thirsty / Tengo sed.

*Use the verb tener (to have) instead of estar (to be)

Costa Rican Phrases:

• mae: Most directly means “dude” but can be used to refer to any man or woman
• pura vida: Means “pure life” and refers to the Costa Rican way of life. Is often used as a response to ¿Cómo estás?
• por dicha: Phrase meaning “thank goodness”
• tuanis: Slang term for “cool”
• pulpería: A small corner store

While traveling you may hear Costa Ricans call themselves ticos and ticas. This came about because of their habit of adding tico, tica, ico and ica at the end of words. This means small but also is meant in an endearing, friendly way. So they may use words like perrito and chiquita for dog and girl rather than just perro or chica.

You may see signs for a soda while on the road, which is not a reference to a drink but is the word for a small restaurant.

While in your accommodations, keep in mind that a “c” on a faucet may stand for “caliente,” which is hot not cold. You don’t want to burn yourself!

Pura Vida – This phrase is heard frequently in Costa Rica and sums up the laidback, friendly lifestyle in the country. It means pure life, but it’s used in a number of contexts. Pura vida may be the response to ¿Cómo estás? Or it may be used for hello and goodbye.

In addition to Spanish, some descendants of Africans in Limón province speak Limonense Creole, which resembles Jamaican English. Plus, there are few indigenous languages spoken in the nation that are part of the Chibchan language family, including Bribrí, Cabécar and Térraba.

Social Norms

There aren’t too many social norms in Costa Rica that differ from the United States, but here are a few to keep in mind:

• Being late: The pace of life is slower in Costa Rica, so punctuality is not king. In fact in Costa Rica, locals may expect you to be just a little late for a dinner engagement or social gathering. Because of this, don’t be upset if people aren’t precisely on time.
• Bathroom rules: In many parts of Costa Rica you’ll need to put toilet paper in a wastebasket next to the toilet rather than putting it in the toilet.
• Single-use plastics: These are banned in the country’s national parks, so don’t try to bring a plastic water bottle. Instead, students should have a reusable water bottle.
• Shoes: Don’t put your shoes on the furniture. You may have that rule at home too, but regardless, it’s a good thing to keep in mind while in the country.
• Respect for older people: Of course it’s important to be respectful towards everyone, but this is particularly the case for older people. Greet elders first. Let them begin eating first. In general, allow older people to take center stage whenever possible.

Food

Costa Ricans often eat white rice and black beans. It’s a major part of the diet and is incorporated in many meals, including breakfast. Popular dishes include gallo pinto, which is a rice and bean dish often served with a slightly sweet and spicy lizano sauce. An egg may be added for breakfast.

You also may try casado, which often includes rice, black beans, plantains, salad, a tortilla, and an optional protein source such as chicken or beef.

In addition to rice and beans, there are many types of tropical fruits in Costa Rica. You’ll get a chance to try them in various juices. Plus, Costa Ricans love their Arabica coffee, which is both enjoyed at home and exported.

Currency

Costa Rica is known for its colorful currency called the colón. It’s named after Christopher Columbus, who is Cristóbal Colón in Spanish. The currency’s bills feature animals such as monkeys, sloths, hummingbirds, and butterflies.

Different denominations of the bills come in different sizes to help those with visual impairments. The options are ¢1,000, ¢2,000, ¢5,000, ¢10,000, ¢20,000, and ¢50,000, though some small vendors don’t appreciate being given the bills with larger denominations since it’s hard to make change.

There also are coins of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 colones. One U.S. dollar is approximately 550 colones, though exchange rates vary. U.S. dollars also are accepted in many parts of the country, as are debit and credit cards.

When buying items, keep in mind that haggling is not the norm in Costa Rica. Therefore, a listed price is usually the actual price.

Weather

The rainy season in Costa Rica lasts generally from May – November, so you may see a sprinkle or two. However, often the rain is brief. Plus, it makes the landscape beautifully green during this time of year.

That said, different regions of the country have different weather, despite the nation’s small size. Areas surrounding the Arenal Volcano are drier from June-August. Here is an overview of expected average conditions in the country:

Environment

The Costa Rican government has taken many steps to protect the nation’s environment. Because of that, it’s considered one of the top nations in the world for ecotourism.

95 to 98 percent of the electricity in Costa Rica is generated by renewable sources. More than half of this energy comes from hydropower. In addition, the country has a Decarbonization Plan in hopes of making the country carbon neutral.

The small nation contains 6% of the world’s total biodiversity, so controlling air and water quality is crucial for the local environment. To protect indigenous species, Costa Rica has preserved 25% of its land. In comparison the United States has preserved 13% of its land.

Animals

Costa Rica has tens of thousands of species of flora and fauna, including a few hundred endangered species. These include the hawksbill and green sea turtles, the Central American squirrel monkey and the great green macaw.

Students are likely to see various birds and butterflies while they’re in the country, such as hummingbirds and beautiful blue morpho butterflies. Lines of leaf cutter ants carrying bits of leaves walk in trails through many parks, as well.

If you’re lucky you’ll see howler monkeys or maybe hear their low pitched growling sounds in the morning. With the help of a local, you may also spot a sloth, though they are sometimes hard to find in the trees without assistance. Another animal to be on the lookout for are coatis that wander through parks and neighborhoods. Nothing is guaranteed though. Seeing a particular animal often involves being in the right place at the right time.

Education

Education is free and mandatory in Costa Rica. This has resulted in a 97% rate of literacy in the nation. In 1948, the nation eliminated its military after a short civil conflict. It invested the money in education, the environment and healthcare. That said, the country does have a large problem with its national debt, so there are only so many funds to go around.

Religion

Costa Rica recognizes Roman Catholicism as its state religion. Due to this, the government contributes to the maintenance of the church. Most of the churches in Costa Rica face west so the people inside can face east towards Jerusalem and the rising sun.

Ethnic Groups

The majority of Costa Ricans are Spanish descent, However a percentage of the population are of African or Chinese descent. The nation also has a small number of indigenous people, representing less than one percent of the population. This includes the Bribrí and Cabécar, and they are often among the poorest people in the nation.

Cultural Expectations

While in Costa Rica, you can expect…
to accept pura vida as a way of life. While the phrase is used as both a greeting and a farewell, it is more appropriately described as a lifestyle. It literally means “pure life” and suggests living life to the fullest.

While in Costa Rica, locals will expect you…
to prioritize equality and respect. Be friendly, practice good manners, and laugh a lot!

Cultural Icon:
Costa Rica is often recognized for not having an army, which explains a lot about the culture of this peaceful country. Costa Rica is also known for its variety of animals including toucans, sloths, monkeys, wild cats, turtles, and iguanas.

Hot Topics in Costa Rica

• Since 1949, Costa Rica has experienced 17 consecutive democratic elections, making it one of Latin America’s most democratic nations. In the 2023 Democracy Index, Costa Rica ranked third in Latin America behind Uruguay and Chile, and 20th in the world.
• Oscar Arias, Costa Rica’s most highly regarded president, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his work towards creating peace in Central America. Arias used the award money to establish the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Rights, which promotes equal opportunities for women, demilitarization and conflict resolution, and higher education in Central America.
• Immigration from Nicaragua has increasingly become a concern for the government. An estimated 350,000–500,000 Nicaraguans live in Costa Rica. They are an important source of mostly unskilled labor but also place heavy demands on the social welfare system.
• Poverty has remained at around 20–23% in recent years, and the strong social safety net put into place by the government has eroded due to increased financial constraints on government expenditures.

Other Fun Facts About Costa Rica

•  People who live in Costa Rica are called Ticos.
• Costa Rica is the oldest democracy in Latin America.
• Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948. The country has experienced over 100 years of political stability and is nicknamed the “Land of Peace.”
• The Osa Peninsula alone contains 2.5% of the planet’s biodiversity.
• More than 25% of Costa Rica’s land is protected by the government in national parks, reserves, and wildlife refuges.
• Costa Rica has 112 volcanoes. Five of them are active.
• The sun rises and sets at around the same time 365 days a year.
• At 7am every morning, most Costa Rican radio stations broadcast the exact same program. It begins with the Costa Rican national anthem and provides the government and other authorized entities a way to send messages or information nationwide.
• McDonald’s, Burger King, and many other fast-food restaurants have home delivery in Costa Rica.
• Costa Rica ranked the highest in average happiness in the “Happiness of Nations” report conducted by the World Database of Happiness from 2000–2009.
• Costa Rica means “rich coast”. Some accounts say the name was given after Christopher Columbus sailed to the nation on his last voyage. Afterwards, he apparently reported the locals were wearing large quantities of gold jewelry.
• The fact that the indigenous population in the region was small worked in the country’s favor. Spain deemed the nation did not have many people available for forced labor or a ton of gold, so it tended to leave the area alone.
• The capital of San Jose only started putting in street signs in 2012 since the locals tend to use landmarks for directions.
• Costa Rica is said to be the most politically stable country in the region.
• Ox carts were once used to transport coffee beans in the country and remain symbols of the nation’s rural past. In the 20th century, people began painting them in elaborate designs, landing the carts on UNESCO’s intangible cultural property list.
• Costa Rica elected their first female president in 2010 – Laura Chinchilla Miranda, who served until 2014.
• Costa Rican children take their father’s last name and their mother’s last name when born. Most people also have a middle name, giving them four names. When getting married, women generally don’t take their husband’s last name, but instead keep their same name for their entire life.
• Not surprisingly, like many other countries around the world, soccer is the most popular sport in Costa Rica.