20 Interesting Facts about Costa Rica
Things you might not know about one of the world’s happiest countries
Did you know that Costa Rica has real cowboys, or that being a mail carrier can feel like a treasure hunt, finding houses using landmarks instead of street addresses?
We’ve collected some of the most unusual and interesting facts about Costa Rica and the “Ticos,” from cultural events, the local lifestyle and slang to the incredible biodiversity and strong commitment to protecting nature.
If you’re planning your first trip to Costa Rica or are simply curious about this fascinating country, these facts will probably surprise you!
QUICK FACTS
🌎 Location:
Central America
🚶 Population:
5.2 million
📏 Size:
51,100 km²
🏙️ Capital:
San José
🗣️ Official Language:
Spanish
🪙 Currency:
Costa Rican Colón (CRC)
🌊 Coastlines
Pacific Ocean & Caribbean Sea
You Can Still Meet Real Cowboys in Costa Rica
In the northern province of Guanacaste, it’s not unusual to see cows crossing the road or Costa Ricans casually riding horses through the streets. Cattle ranches and horses are an essential part of the local culture in Guanacaste, and until today, real cowboys, called sabaneros or vaqueros, still work on the farms.
This tradition is celebrated during the famous fiestas. Costa Ricans dress up with their best sombrero and boots, and riders proudly present their horses and riding skills in large parades. Among traditional dances and concerts, one of the main highlights is the bull riding competition.
The people of Guanacaste take celebrating their heritage very seriously: In Liberia, the capital of Guanacaste, the year’s biggest fiestas last for two whole weeks, starting every morning at 5am with the diana, the first parade of the day, followed by many other cultural events.
Fiestas Cívicas de Liberia, Desfile de Caballos – Horse Parade in Liberia
The Fiestas Cívicas de Liberia usually take place from late February to early March. If you want to experience a truly authentic piece of Costa Rican culture, definitely stop by. The exact dates and program are published on Facebook every year (Search for Fiestas Cívicas de Liberia + the current year).
Your Pineapple Is Probably Costa Rican
When you buy pineapples in the supermarket, it’s very likely they come from Costa Rica. Hard to believe, but despite being a relatively small country, Costa Rica is the world’s largest exporter of pineapples, producing around 50% of all pineapples sold worldwide.
Choosing Education Over Weapons
You might have already heard that Costa Rica has no standing army. After the army was abolished in 1949, the government started investing more in other sectors, such as education. This investment has contributed to one of the lowest illiteracy rates in Latin America.
Brewing Coffee in a Sock?
When you first come to Costa Rica, you may be surprised by how people prepare their world-famous coffee since hundreds of years: The traditional Costa Rican coffee maker, called Chorreador, literally looks like a wooden stand holding a sock over your cup. Of course, you won’t have to sacrifice your socks to make coffee in Costa Rica – the reusable filter made of fabric with a wire ring is available in every supermarket.
To use the chorreador, simply place ground coffee into the filter and gently pour hot water over it. Afterwards, wash the filter without soap. It’s an eco-friendly and simple way of brewing, known for creating a smoother, less acidic, and more stomach-friendly coffee. The unique qualities of Costa Rican coffee beans also contribute to this special flavor.
Chorreadores are available in all different sizes and colors. Some are decorated with beautiful animal paintings, and many are even collapsible, perfect for camping, traveling or as a nice souvenir.
300 m North of the Iguana Park, Next to the Big Mango Tree, Green House
… this could be your address in Costa Rica. As one of the few countries in the world, Costa Rica uses landmarks and cardinal directions to describe locations instead of street addresses. To be a postman here, you have to know your village really well to deliver the mail successfully.
Luckily, Waze and Google Maps work very well here too, so you don’t have to search for buildings with a compass and counting the meters.
How to Let a Costa Rican Know You’ve Arrived
If the lack of addresses isn’t enough, many Costa Rican homes don’t have common mailboxes or doorbells. Many people let their mail sent to the local post office, where they can collect it, as this is often the easier option.
No doorbell, no problem – when you arrive at the house of your Costa Rican friend, you simply shout “Buenaaas!” (hello in Spanish) to let them know you’re there.
Rice and Beans All Day, Every Day
When traveling in Costa Rica, you’d better like rice and beans because it is very common to eat them in almost every meal of the day.
Breakfast starts with gallo pinto, a mix of rice and beans, typically served with eggs, cheese, and fried plantain. For lunch, many people enjoy a casado at a soda, as local restaurants are called. Here, you have rice and beans (not mixed this time!) with vegetables and a protein. For dinner, you can order chifrijo, which is a bowl of rice and beans (mixed again) with pico de gallo, a tomato and culantro salad, chicharrón (crispy fried pork), avocado, and tortilla chips.
But Costa Rican cuisine also offers many more options. Try a traditional ceviche with fresh fish, olla de carne, a delicious beef stew, or tamales, where the food comes wrapped in a banana leaf. If you’re traveling to the Caribbean coast, definitely don’t miss the Rice and Beans there! It is prepared with coconut milk and is simply delicious.
All of these dishes are super tasty, usually budget-friendly, filling and you should definitely give them a try! If you really don’t like rice and beans, don’t worry. Many hotels offer continental breakfast options, and nowadays there are also many restaurants serving international cuisine.
Swing as the National Heritage of Costa Rica?
Costa Ricans love social dancing. On many occasions, such as fiestas, birthday parties, bars, and dance halls, you’ll see people passionately dancing salsa, bachata, merengue, and many other Latin American dances.
Costa Rica even has its own dance, recognized as part of the country’s intangible cultural heritage since 2012: Swing Criollo. It developed from different foreign rhythms in the capital, San José, between 1930 and 1950 and is characterized by bouncing steps, fast turns, and improvisation.
Get an impression of what Swing Criollo looks like ➡️
Costa Rica has the Most Beautiful Currency
Costa Rica really loves and cares for its rich nature and wildlife. That’s why, instead of only important people or buildings, you can find some of the country’s most iconic animals on the bills and coins, including sloths, monkeys, sharks, turtles, and hummingbirds.
The Costa Rican currency is called the Costa Rican Colón (CRC), named after Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón in Spanish).
10
The Country that Reversed Deforestation
An incredible 25% of the country is protected by 28 national parks and many other conservation areas, and Costa Rica is the first tropical country in the world to reverse deforestation. This means that the forest is growing every year instead of getting smaller, today covering more than 60% of the country.
11
Powered by Nature
Another success for sustainability in Costa Rica is that 99% of the electricity comes from renewable energy. It is produced mainly by hydropower, but also by wind, geothermal energy, solar power, and biomass.
A goal that many countries around the world can sadly only dream of.
12
The Best Volcanic Experience in Costa Rica Isn’t Necessarily at the Crater
Costa Rica is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire and has more than 200 volcanic formations. While Arenal, Rincon de la Vieja, Poas, Irazu, and Turrialba are Costa Rica’s five active volcanoes and offer incredible views, some of the country’s most unforgettable adventures are found in the landscapes they created.
Over thousands of years, volcanic activity shaped rivers, carved deep canyons, and formed volcanic rock walls that you can actually swim through on your way to hidden waterfalls, such as the La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike in Rincon de la Vieja.
13
How a Simple Bird Got Famous
Among all the incredibly colorful birds in Costa Rica, like toucans, macaws, the mystical quetzal, and hummingbirds, Costa Rica chose a simple-looking brown bird as its national bird.
But the Yigüirro, also known as the Clay-colored Thrush, absolutely earned its place. As it often lives near houses, Costa Ricans are very familiar with it, and it is mentioned in many local stories and songs. Since its singing season begins exactly when the rainy season starts, farmers see it as a sign of fertile land and a good harvest.
14
How Costa Rica Cares about Wildlife
Costa Rica was the first latin american country to ban recreational hunting in 2012. Only some indigenous groups are legally allowed to hunt.
Classic zoos were also strongly criticized, which is why they have almost disappeared. Instead, you can visit wildlife rescue centers, where injured or rescued animals are cared for until they can be released back into the wild. Only animals that don’t have a chance to survive on their own remain permanently in sanctuaries.
💡 If you want to visit a wildlife rescue center or sanctuary in Costa Rica, check its website, certifications, and reviews first!
Unfortunately, there are a few scammy places that are not legitimate and, instead of helping wildlife, only want to make money. Some even allow visitors to touch or hold wild animals, which often causes a lot of stress for them.
15
Relax on a Whale’s Tail–Shaped Beach in Costa Rica
In the beach town of Uvita on the Pacific coast, you’ll find a unique beach shaped like a whale’s tail. Curiously, this is also the best place in Costa Rica (and many even consider it the best place in the world!) for whale watching, as Uvita is surrounded by the Parque Nacional Marino Ballena (Marine Whale National Park).
What makes Uvita ideal for whale watching is that there are two whale seasons each year instead of just one, like in most other places. The first lasts from December to April, and the second from July to November. The best chance to see the majestic humpback whales and other animals, such as dolphins, is by joining a whale watching tour, where, with a little luck, you can observe them up close.
16
Where to Live If You Want to Live Past 100
There are only five Blue Zones in the world, places where people often live past 100 while staying healthy, and one of them is in Costa Rica!
The Nicoya Peninsula on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is famous for some of the country’s most beautiful beaches like the highly photogenic Playa Carillo or Playa Barrigona, but also for its people living extraordinarily long and healthy lives.
How people in Nicoya live past 100 years:
- having a “Plan de Vida” – a strong sense of purpose in life
- eating a mainly plant-based diet with beans, whole grains, and squash
- living together or close to their family and supporting each other
- drinking naturally mineral-rich water
- maintaining strong social networks: meeting neighbors, laughing together, and helping each other
- staying physically active throughout life, even at an old age by working in agriculture or the fields
17
You Can Ignore Your Weather App in Costa Rica
Weather forecasting in Costa Rica is extremely complicated because the small country is located between two huge oceans and also has several high mountains. This creates 12 incredibly different microclimates, ranging from hot and humid to surprisingly cold, and makes forecasting the weather for a specific place very difficult.
It’s fascinating to see that it can be hot and dry in Liberia, Guanacaste, but after driving just about one hour towards Rio Celeste in Bijagua, you’ll find dense green rainforest and it could even be raining.
Remember this if you want to know what kind of weather to expect when visiting Costa Rica:
☀️ DRY SEASON
December to April
✔️ Little rainfall, you can expect sunny skies most days
✔️ In many areas, the vegetation is lighter, and in some places it even becomes very dry
✔️ This is high season in Costa Rica, with the most visitors
🌦️ RAINY SEASON
May to November
✔️ It almost rains every day for a few hours, mostly in the afternoon, while the sun often comes out in the morning
✔️ September and October are the rainiest months
✔️ The landscapes and forests become greener (also called “Green season”)
⚠️ SOME EXCEPTIONS
✔️ Guanacaste is the driest region in Costa Rica. Here, the dry season often lasts from late November until late August, while the rainiest months are September and October
✔️ On the Caribbean coast, especially around Puerto Viejo, the seasons are almost the opposite: September and October are often the driest months. This is one of the best examples of Costa Rica’s microclimates.
18
Pura Vida is No Cliché
If you think the expression Pura Vida is an overrated invention from travel guides just for tourists and marketing, you’re wrong!
Locals use Pura Vida every day in all kinds of situations: to say hello or goodbye in a friendly way, to tell you how they’re doing, or to say “you’re welcome.” If someone says, “This guy is pura vida,” you know they’re talking about a kind and reliable person.
As you may already know, Pura Vida means “pure life,” and it represents the Costa Rican lifestyle pretty well: focusing on the good and important things in life, like family, friends, and finding joy in the little and simple moments. It means not stressing over every little problem or mistake, taking your time to relax, and not always being in a hurry.
From dense rainforests to beautiful beaches and fascinating wildlife, Costa Rica truly is a little paradise. Living surrounded by stunning nature, the pride and the commitment to protect it and the Pura Vida Lifestyle may be some of the reasons why Costa Rica is the 4th happiest country in the world.
Costa Rican Spanish Is Not What You’ve Learned in Your Spanish Class
– Language Facts –
19
Ahorita means In 5 Minutes, in 2 Hours … or Never
In Costa Rica, there’s no reliable way to say something will happen right now. You might hear ahora (“now”) or, even more commonly, ahorita (“right now”). But in Costa Rica, these words rarely mean this exact moment. Depending on the context, they could mean in 5 minutes, in 2 hours… or, sometimes, never.
Also if you want to go out with a Costa Rican friend and they text you “Ya casi salgo!” (“I’m just about to leave!”), don’t be surprised if they still have to take a shower, get dressed, and maybe arrive in 20 or 30 minutes.
So if someone in Costa Rica tells you something will happen ahorita, don’t be surprised if it doesn’t happen right now and just enjoy a peaceful moment while you wait. Pura Vida! 😉
20
Most Important Local Words in Costa Rica
Costa Ricans have a lot of local words that are only used in the country, so even if you speak Spanish, you might not always understand what they mean. Learn these common slang words, and you’ll already be able to express some of the most important things.
- Mae – very common, means “bro” or “dude” (can be used for all genders)
“¡Pura Vida mae!” – Use it to say hi, good bye, or “You’re welcome.” - Chiva / Tuanis – means “cool”
“¡Que chiva mae!” – “That’s cool, bro!”
If someone says your trip was tuanis, take it as a compliment.
“¡Qué tuanis este lugar!” – “This place is awesome!” - ¡Al Chile! – means something like “Really?” or “No way!” when you’re surprised about what someone just said.
“¿Al chile, mae?” – “Are you serious, man?” - Birra – means “beer”
“¡Una birra porfa!” – When you want to order beer at a bar. “Porfa“ is often used as the short form of “por favor” (means “please”) - Goma – The Costa Rican word for a hangover. If you had too many Imperial beers the night before, don’t be surprised if someone asks:
“¿Anda de goma?” – “Do you have a hangover?”
See More of Costa Rica
We hope these interesting facts about Costa Rica have inspired you to think about a trip to this fascinating country and experience the Pura Vida lifestyle for yourself. Now it’s time to show you some of the most beautiful places and moments and let the pictures speak for themselves.
Planning to visit Costa Rica?
Check out our website to discover the best way to explore the popular Rincon de la Vieja region in Guanacaste: Observe volcanic activity up close, relax in natural hot springs, swim through bright turquoise waters to a hidden waterfall, and experience Costa Rica from above on a thrilling zip-lining course.
Costa Rica – FAQ
Is Costa Rica an island?
Costa Rica is NOT an island. It’s a small country in Central America, located between Nicaragua in the north and Panama in the south. It has two coastlines: one with the Pacific Ocean and one on with the Caribbean Sea.
Costa Rica is also not part of the United States and some people confuse it with Puerto Rico. It has been an independent country since 1821 and a stable democracy for more than 150 years.
What is the capital of Costa Rica?
The capital and largest city of Costa Rica is San José, where most visitors arrive on the airport. Many travelers don’t stay for long and continue to their next destination, but San José offers plenty of things to do if you want to learn more about Costa Rican culture and history. Visit the beautiful National Theatre, explore interesting museums like the Gold Museum, the National Museum, or the Children’s Museum, and stop by the Central Market to try authentic Costa Rican food.
What are 5 interesting facts about Costa Rica?
Here are 5 interesting facts about Costa Rica:
- Costa Rica has no standing army since 1949.
- There are still real cowboys in Costa Rica (Sabaneros) working on cattle farms.
- Costa Rica is the world’s largest exporter of pineapples.
- 25% of the country is protected.
- Costa Rica uses landmarks and cardinal directions instead of classic street addresses.
What language do they speak in Costa Rica?
The official language of Costa Rica is Spanish, but like every Latin American country, it has its own slang and many local words like “mae” for “bro” or “chiva/tuanis” to say something is really cool. Many people, especially those working in tourism, also speak good English.
What currency does Costa Rica use?
The Costa Rican currency is called the Costa Rican Colón (CRC), named after Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón in Spanish). An interesting fact about the bills and coins is that, instead of showing only important people or buildings, they also show famous animals from Costa Rica, such as sharks, sloths, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
There is no bad time to visit Costa Rica! However, depending on the experience you’re looking for, it’s helpful to know the characteristics of the dry and rainy seasons.
During the dry season (December to April), you can usually expect sunny, hot weather almost every day with little or no rainfall. It’s the perfect time if you want to relax on the beach and just enjoy perfect weather.
During the rainy season (May to November), temperatures are still warm, it often rains only for a few hours in the afternoon, and the landscape becomes even greener. This is the best time to experience nature at its best.
Keep in mind that the seasons vary depending on the region: In Guanacaste, Costa Rica’s driest province, the rainy season is usually strongest only in September and October. On the Caribbean coast, especially around Puerto Viejo, the seasons are almost the opposite, with September and October often being the driest months.
What are things to do in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica offers something for every type of traveler, whether you’re visiting with kids, your partner, friends, or as a senior. You can relax on beautiful beaches, surf some of the world’s best waves, explore the country’s incredible biodiversity in national parks like Rincon de la Vieja, Cahuita, or Tenorio Volcano National Park, and spot fascinating wildlife such as sloths, toucans, and monkeys.
If you’re looking for adventure, Costa Rica and especially the Rincon de la Vieja region is famous for activities like white water river tubing, zip lining, and unique hiking tours to spectacular waterfalls like La Leona Waterfall, where you swim through a bright turquoise river and a narrow canyon. If you prefer to relax, you can visit natural hot springs and enjoy a rejuvenating volcanic mud bath.
What is Costa Rica known for?
Costa Rica is famous for its stunning nature: dense rainforests, volcanoes, scenic waterfalls, bright blue rivers, beautiful beaches, and incredibly rich biodiversity with iconic animals like sloths and hummingbirds. It is also known for its high quality coffee, a wide variety of tropical fruits that grow all year, and the famous Pura Vida lifestyle. Costa Rica is one of the world’s leading ecotourism destinations and the perfect place for travelers who want to combine nature, relaxation, and adventure. One of the most interesting facts about Costa Rica is that it’s one of the few countries in the world without a standing army, allowing the government to invest more in education, social programs, and nature conservation.
Can you drink the water in Costa Rica?
Yes! That’s one of the great advantages of traveling in Costa Rica. Tap water is safe to drink in most parts of the country. In some beach areas and parts of San José, bottled or filtered water are recommended, but most visitors can safely drink tap water throughout Costa Rica. If you’re unsure if the tap water is safe where you’re staying, ask someone at your hotel or a local resident.
What is the legal drinking age in Costa Rica?
In Costa Rica, you must be at least 18 years old to buy or consume alcoholic drinks. It’s also important to know that public drinking and drinking while driving are illegal, strictly enforced especially in places where families with children meet, such as parks.