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Costa Rican Glossary

¡Upe!

OO-peh!
A common call to see if anyone is home or to get someone's attention at a house or small business. It's more polite than shouting 'hello?'

In a sentence: "He walked up to the pulpería and called out, '¡Upe!'"

¿Al chile?

al CHEE-lay?
A slang phrase meaning 'Really?', 'For real?', or 'Seriously?'. Used to express disbelief or to ask for confirmation.

In a sentence: "Q: 'I saw a jaguar on the trail.'
A: '¿Al chile?'"

Birra

BEE-rrah
Slang for 'beer.' Borrowed from the Italian word.

In a sentence: "It's hot today, I need a cold birra."

Bomba

BOHM-bah
Literally 'bomb.' In Costa Rica, this refers to a gas station.

In a sentence: "We need to stop at the next bomba to fill up the tank."

Brete

BREH-teh
Slang for 'work' or 'a job.'

In a sentence: "I have to go to brete early tomorrow morning."

Buena Nota

BWEH-nah NO-tah
Literally 'good note.' A phrase used to describe a person who is cool, kind, or has good vibes. It can also mean 'cool' or 'right on.'

In a sentence: "The surf instructor was really buena nota."

Cacique

kah-SEE-kay
Costa Rica's most popular brand of guaro, a clear liquor made from sugarcane. It's the go-to spirit for many local mixed drinks and shots.

In a sentence: "Can you make me a chili-guaro with Cacique?"

Casado

kah-SAH-doh
Literally 'married man.' It's the quintessential Costa Rican lunch plate, consisting of rice, black beans, a salad, fried plantains, and a choice of protein (fish, chicken, beef, or pork).

In a sentence: "I'm hungry, I'm going to order a casado with chicken."

Chepe

CHEH-peh
colloquial and affectionate nickname for the capital city, San José.

In a sentence: "We're heading to Chepe for the weekend to visit the museums."

Chunche

CHOON-cheh
A catch-all word for 'thing,' 'stuff,' or 'what-cha-ma-call-it.' Used when you can't 1remember the name of an object.

In a sentence: "Can you pass me that chunche from the table?"

Colones

co-LOH-nays
The Costa Rican Colón (₡), named after Christopher Columbus, is the official currency of Costa Rica, recognized for its vibrant banknotes that celebrate the nation's rich wildlife.

In a sentence: "Excuse me, how many colones is the casado con pollo?"

Empanada

em-pah-NAH-dah
A savory pastry, typically fried, filled with ingredients like cheese, beans, potatoes, or shredded meat. A popular and quick snack or breakfast item found in sodas and bakeries.

In a sentence: "I'll grab a cheese empanada and a coffee for breakfast."

Gallo

GAH-yo
Literally 'rooster.' In Costa Rican food culture, a 'gallo' is a small snack, similar to a soft taco. It's typically a corn tortilla topped with a small portion of a filling like shredded meat, potatoes, or picadillo.

In a sentence: "I'm not very hungry, I'll just have a gallo de papa (potato gallo)."

Gallo Pinto

GAH-yo PEEN-toh
The national breakfast dish of Costa Rica. It's a mix of rice and black beans, often cooked with onions, sweet peppers, and cilantro. Usually served with eggs and sour cream.

In a sentence: "I could eat gallo pinto for breakfast every day."

Guaro

GWAH-roh
The generic term for alcohol, but most often refers to Cacique, the national sugar-cane liquor of Costa Rica.

In a sentence: "Let's do some shots of guaro!"

Macho / Macha

MAH-cho / MAH-chah
Slang for a light-skinned or blonde person (macho for male, macha for female). It is not derogatory.

In a sentence: "My friend with the blonde hair is often called 'macha' by the locals."

Mae

my
The Costa Rican equivalent of 'dude' or 'bro.' Used informally and very frequently between friends, mostly by men.

In a sentence: "Mae, let's go grab a beer."

Pulpería

pool-peh-REE-ah
small neighborhood convenience store or corner shop that sells basic groceries, snacks, and drinks.

In a sentence: "I need to go to the pulpería to buy some eggs."

Pura Vida

POO-rah VEE-dah
Literally 'Pure Life.' The national motto of Costa Rica. It's a greeting, a farewell, and a way of life meaning everything's great, life is good, and you're thankful for what you have.

In a sentence: "Q: How are you? A: Pura Vida!"

Salado

sah-LAH-doh
Literally 'salty.' Used to describe someone who has bad luck or is in a tough situation. It means 'too bad' or 'you're out of luck.'

In a sentence: "You missed the last bus? ¡Qué salado!"

Soda

SOH-dah
A small, family-run, traditional Costa Rican restaurant. Sodas serve local dishes like 'casado' at very affordable prices. This is the best place for an authentic meal.

In a sentence: "We had lunch at a soda on the way to the beach."

Tico / Tica

TEE-ko / TEE-kah
A colloquial term for a native Costa Rican man (Tico) or woman (Tica). It comes from the local tendency to add '-ico' to the end of words to form a diminutive.

In a sentence: "The local Ticos are very friendly to tourists."

Tuanis

TWAH-nees
slang word meaning 'cool,' 'awesome,' or 'great.' Believed to be derived from spelling the English words 'too nice' in Spanish.

In a sentence: "That surf spot is tuanis!"

San Jose Downtown

Your Adventure
Begins Here

Destinations - San Jose
DESTINATIONS

San José (The Capital)

Costa Rica’s bustling capital blends historic charm, modern conveniences, and cultural treasures.

Cuisine and Local Flavor
Museums and Cultural Buildings
Party and Social Gatherings
Easy Fitness Level

San José is often the first stop for travelers arriving in Costa Rica, offering a gateway into the country’s art, history, and urban energy. Home to lively markets, colonial-era architecture, and fascinating museums, it’s the best place to understand Costa Rican culture before heading to nature destinations. From vibrant nightlife to nearby coffee plantations, San José is a blend of old and new.

San Jose Airport Sign
SJ Airport Sign
San Jose Night Life
Nightlife
San Jose La Soledad
La Soledad
San Jose El Mercado
El Mercado
San Jose Metropolitan Cathedral
Metropolitan Cathedral
National Theater (Teatro Nacional)
National Theatre
San Jose Airport Sign
San Jose Night Life
San Jose La Soledad
San Jose El Mercado
San Jose Metropolitan Cathedral
National Theater (Teatro Nacional)
San Jose Airport Sign
San Jose Night Life
San Jose La Soledad
San Jose El Mercado
San Jose Metropolitan Cathedral
National Theater (Teatro Nacional)
📍Points of Interest

National Theater
Central Market
Jade Museum
Mercado Central
Barrio Amón

Highlights

✓ Walking Tours
✓ Cultural Museums
✓ National Theater
Mercado Central

✓ Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
✓ Central Market
✓ Barrio Amón
✓ Nightlife

Additional Info
Transportation
Bus, Taxi, Shuttle
Accomodations
Hotels, Hostels
Best Season
Feb-May
Fitness Level
Easy
Book your hanging bridges & nature tour and walk where the rainforest meets the sky.

San Jose – Things To Do

📍Points of Interest

San José’s points of interest blend history, culture, and modern energy, offering visitors a taste of Costa Rica’s vibrant capital life.

National Theater (Teatro Nacional)

National Theater (Teatro Nacional)

A masterpiece of Costa Rican pride.
Built in 1897, this stunning neoclassical gem showcases marble floors, gold leaf detailing, and European-inspired art. Whether for a guided tour, a live performance, or a coffee in its elegant café, the theater is San José’s cultural crown jewel.

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PreColumbian Gold Museum

Pre-Columbian Gold Museum

Where history shines in gold.
Located beneath the Plaza de la Cultura, this museum houses an extraordinary collection of indigenous gold artifacts, offering a glimpse into pre-Columbian artistry and spiritual traditions.

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Jade Museum (Museo del Jade)

Treasures carved in stone.
Home to the world’s largest collection of American jade, this museum displays thousands of intricately crafted jade pieces that tell stories of Costa Rica’s indigenous cultures.

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Mercado Central (Central Market)

Taste, shop, and mingle with locals.
This bustling maze of stalls is the heart of San José’s daily life. From fresh produce and spices to souvenirs and sodas (small diners), it’s the perfect spot to try gallo pinto or pick up artisan goods.

Add to Itinerary
Barrio Amon Square

Barrio Amón

Colonial charm meets creative energy.
Once home to wealthy coffee barons, this neighborhood now blends historic architecture with art galleries, trendy cafés, and boutique restaurants, making it a must for culture lovers.

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🏨Accomodations

For vacationers, San José provides inviting accommodations ranging from charming boutique hotels and stylish urban retreats to comfortable budget stays, all set within the energy of Costa Rica’s capital.

Gran Hotel Costa Rica

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Luxury: 💲💲💲💲)
Historic elegance in the heart of San José.
Overlooking the National Theater, this landmark hotel blends historic charm with modern luxury. A rooftop restaurant offers stunning city views.

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Hotel Grano de Oro

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Luxury: 💲💲💲💲)
Boutique luxury with Victorian charm.
Highlight: A converted Victorian mansion with lush courtyards and a fine-dining restaurant, perfect for couples or travelers seeking elegance.

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Mercado Central (Central Market)

Taste, shop, and mingle with locals.
This bustling maze of stalls is the heart of San José’s daily life. From fresh produce and spices to souvenirs and sodas (small diners), it’s the perfect spot to try gallo pinto or pick up artisan goods.

Add to Itinerary
Barrio Amon Square

Barrio Amón

Colonial charm meets creative energy.
Once home to wealthy coffee barons, this neighborhood now blends historic architecture with art galleries, trendy cafés, and boutique restaurants, making it a must for culture lovers.

Add to Itinerary

Hotels

Book your Accommodations and Activities.
Accomodations
City Tours
Clubing San Jose

San José after dark is all rooftop cocktails, craft brews, and indie beats—Barrio Escalante sets the vibe while salsa clubs and underground DJs keep the city pulsing till sunrise.

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