PreColumbian Gold Museum

Gold Museum (Museo del Oro Precolombino)

Costa Rica’s Golden Legacy, Hidden Underground. Located beneath the Plaza de la Cultura in the center of San José, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum houses one of the most spectacular archaeological collections in Latin America. This subterranean vault protects over 1,600 artifacts dating from 500 AD to the Spanish conquest.

National Theater (Teatro Nacional)

National Theatre (Teatro Nacional)

A Renaissance Masterpiece, Fuelled by Coffee.
Considered the most historically significant and architecturally beautiful building in Costa Rica, the National Theatre (Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica) is a masterpiece of Neoclassical design located in the heart of downtown San José

National Theater (Teatro Nacional)

National Theatre (Teatro Nacional)

A Renaissance Masterpiece, Fuelled by Coffee.
Considered the most historically significant and architecturally beautiful building in Costa Rica, the National Theatre (Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica) is a masterpiece of Neoclassical design located in the heart of downtown San José

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!"

Transportation:
Shuttle
TAxi
RidesHare
RENTAL
City Bus
InterCity Bus

RIDESHARE

Got a Phone?
Now get a Ride!

Benefits
COMPARE
HOW TO
Tips

Instant Mobile Access
 Upfront Pricing
No Language Barrier

Door-to-Door Service
Safe Travels
Privacy for Groups

Accessible instantly from your mobile device, rideshares offer fast, hassle-free mobility with upfront pricing and direct drop-offs—perfect for travel without the stress of navigating or parking.

Rideshare Benefits

Modern, On-Demand Mobility: Why Travelers Choose Rideshare

Instant Mobile Access

Order a ride with a few taps. Your phone handles the location, the mapping, and the payment, making it the most streamlined way to move around.

Upfront Pricing

Know the cost before you request. This eliminates the “tourist tax” and the anxiety of watching a meter climb in traffic.

No Language Barrier

Don’t know the language? No worries, by doing everything on the app you don’t have to know how to speak Spanish.

Skip the Parking

Rideshare drops you at the door, saving you from expensive “parqueo” fees and the search for a spot in busy areas.

Digital Payments

Pay securely via the app with your credit card. This eliminates the need to carry cash or drive change.

Effortless Navigation

Set your destination in the app. The driver gets GPS directions automatically, making the trip seamless.

Compare Platforms

Compare the Top Apps: Find the Right Ride for Your Route.

TOP CHOICE The most reliable and widespread option in Costa Rica.

Nationwide
Fixed Price (App)
 Card Payments
Safety (High)

Often slightly cheaper. Best for the San José metro area.

San Jose & Big Cities
Fixed Price (App)
 Card Payments
Safety (High)

You suggest the fare. Great for longer intercity trips.

San Jose & Big Cities
Bidding Price (App)
 Card Payments (Limited)
Safety (Moderate )

How To: Master Using Rideshare

Master the App Experience: Use these essential localized steps.

Download & Set Up Apps

Download Uber, DiDi, and inDrive

Note: Having all three gives you the best chance of finding a ride in rural areas or during rainstorms.

Verify Your Driver

Always check the license plate and driver photo.

Note: In Costa Rica, drivers may occasionally use a different car; if they do, cancel for safety.

The Front Seat Custom

You may be asked to sit in the front

Note: To avoid friction with official taxis, many rideshare drivers prefer that one passenger sits in the front seat to look like a “friend” catching a lift.

Local Tips

While widely used, rideshare is still in a legal gray area.

Airport Pickup Protocol

At SJO airport, rideshares cannot pick up directly at the arrivals curb. Your driver will likely message you to meet at a specific upper-level door or a nearby landmark like the “Malinche” restaurant.

Payment Preferences

While card is preferred for safety, having some small Colones (cash) is useful. If using inDrive, cash is mandatory as the app does not process payments in Costa Rica.

Front Seat

To blend in and avoid trouble with traffic police, it is a common local courtesy to sit in the front passenger seat. This makes the trip look like a friend is giving you a ride rather than a commercial service.

Verify Plate & Driver

Always cross-reference the license plate and driver’s photo in the app before getting in. Never accept a ride from someone claiming to be your driver if the details don’t match exactly.

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