Costa Rica (CR)
Costa Rica is Central America's most stable democracy — a small, lush republic that abolished its army in 1948 and instead invested in education, healthcare, and the environment.
Country Profile
Everything you need to know before you arrive.
Costa Rica is Central America's most stable democracy — a small, lush republic that abolished its army in 1948 and instead invested in education, healthcare, and the environment. Home to 5% of the world's biodiversity in just 0.03% of its land area, Costa Rica combines world-class ecotourism, a welcoming Pura Vida culture, stable political institutions, and an attractive package of residency visas for retirees, investors, and remote workers. With a territorial tax system, warm climate year-round, excellent private healthcare, and a well-established English-speaking expat community, it remains one of the most popular relocation destinations in the Americas.
Climate
March–May: transition from dry to wet season. March is still dry and sunny. April sees the first rains on the Pacific side. Temperatures 24–32°C in the Central Valley; hotter on coasts.
June–August: rainy season (green season) is in full swing. Afternoons bring heavy showers, but mornings are often sunny. Vegetation is lush and verdant. Fewer tourists, lower prices. Temperatures 22–30°C in the Central Valley.
September–November: peak of the rainy season; October is the wettest month on the Caribbean coast. Pacific coast begins to dry out in November. Occasional flooding in low-lying areas. Temperatures remain warm at 22–30°C.
December–February: dry season on the Pacific coast and Central Valley — Costa Rica's most popular tourist period. Clear skies, warm days (26–32°C). Caribbean coast has its own wet/dry pattern and can still be rainy in December.
Demographics
Religion
Social Culture & Etiquette
"Pura Vida" is the national phrase — it means pure life, and is used as hello, goodbye, you're welcome, no problem, and a general affirmation of contentment. Greet people with a handshake (men) or a kiss on the cheek (women, or mixed). First names are used quickly once acquainted. Ticos are warm, indirect, and conflict-averse by nature.
Hora tica (Tico time) is real — social events typically start 30–60 minutes late. Business appointments are more punctual but still flexible by European standards. Arrive on time for formal appointments (doctors, government offices); expect a wait regardless.
Casual and tropical. San José offices lean smart casual (no tie required). Beach and tourist areas are very informal. Shorts and T-shirts are acceptable almost everywhere. Many expats overdress initially — adapt to the climate quickly.
- ✕ Avoid criticising Costa Rica, its natural environment, or its culture — Ticos are proud of their country's achievements and peaceful identity.
- ✕ Do not tip in coins only or leave nothing — while tipping culture is less rigid than the USA, 10% service charge is often added automatically (10% propina). If not added, a small tip is appreciated.
- ✕ Never litter in national parks or natural reserves — environmental protection is taken seriously and fines can apply.
- ✕ Avoid discussing politics or the Nicaragua border dispute with strangers — it can cause strong reactions.
- ✕ Do not photograph indigenous communities or sacred sites without explicit permission.
- ✓ "Mae" (pronounced "my") is the local informal word for friend/dude — used constantly in casual conversation.
- ✓ Never rush a Tico. Patience is essential in shops, government offices (tramitología), and traffic.
- ✓ Sodas are family-run local restaurants serving traditional food at the lowest prices — eat at them early and often.
- ✓ Costa Ricans use "tuanis" to mean cool/great, and "chunche" for any unnamed object (the equivalent of "thingy").
- ✓ Queues at government offices (CCSS, migración) can be very long — arrive early and bring something to read.
- ✓ Bargaining is not a cultural norm at shops or restaurants, but is acceptable when buying from markets or negotiating property.
🍽️ Traditional Food & Drink
The national breakfast — rice and black beans mixed together and fried, served with eggs, sour cream (natilla), and fried plantain. A daily staple for Ticos.
The classic Costa Rican lunch plate: rice, black beans, salad, plantain, and a protein (chicken, beef, fish, or vegetarian). Filling and affordable at ₡4,000–7,000 in local sodas.
Slow-simmered beef and vegetable soup — a Sunday family tradition. Includes chayote, yuca, plantain, corn, and potatoes in a rich beef broth.
A beloved bar snack: chicharrón (fried pork), rice, beans, pico de gallo, and avocado in a bowl. Invented in San José and now found across the country.
Corn dough stuffed with pork, rice, and vegetables, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. Made in large batches at Christmas and shared with family and neighbours.
Fresh sea bass marinated in lime juice with cilantro, onion, and peppers. A staple along both coasts and a popular appetiser at seafood restaurants.
Costa Rican coffee is world-class. The Central Valley, Tarrazú, and Naranjo regions produce high-altitude Arabica celebrated for its clean, bright acidity. A café negro (black espresso) costs ₡800–1,500 at a local soda.
Fresh green coconuts, chilled and served with a straw on roadsides and beaches. Naturally electrolyte-rich and ubiquitous in hot coastal areas.
Costa Rica's signature cane spirit — clear, strong (29–35%), and best enjoyed as a guaro sour (with lime and sugar) or in a Lizano-based cocktail. The national firewater.
📍 Tourist Highlights
One of the most active volcanoes in the Americas. Surrounded by hot springs, jungle zip-lines, and the gorgeous Laguna de Arenal. A world-class adventure destination.
Costa Rica's most visited park — a biodiversity hotspot with white-sand beaches, monkeys, sloths, and toucans within metres of the Pacific Ocean.
A misty, biodiverse cloud forest famous for quetzals, orchids, and canopy zip-lining. One of the first ecotourism destinations in the world.
Accessible only by boat or plane, this Caribbean rainforest is the primary nesting site for green sea turtles in the Western Hemisphere. Best July–October.
National Geographic called it "the most biologically intense place on Earth." Scarlet macaws, tapirs, jaguars, and four species of sea turtle live here. Remote and pristine.
📖 Brief History
Costa Rica was colonised by Spain from 1524 and gained independence peacefully in 1821 as part of Central America's separation from Spain. It avoided the violent conflicts that afflicted its neighbours, and in 1948 President José Figueres Ferrer abolished the military following a brief civil war — a decision that defined Costa Rica's character. The freed military budget was invested in free public education and universal healthcare. Costa Rica joined the Central American Common Market, welcomed multinationals to its Free Trade Zones in the 1980s, and positioned itself as a global ecotourism leader in the 1990s. Today it is the most visited country in Central America, a signatory of numerous multilateral environmental treaties, and one of Latin America's most stable and prosperous democracies.