Engage Your Visitors!

Click here to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Call To Action

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!"

Ready To Explore
Costa Rica?

Explore

Costa Rica invites you on an adventure that blends heart-pounding thrills, unforgettable wildlife, and authentic culture — all set against some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes.

Epic Adventures ♦ Wildlife & Wilderness ♦ Cultural Experience

Epic Adventures

Epic Adventures

For adrenaline seekers, Costa Rica is nature’s ultimate playground. Whether you’re conquering wild rapids, soaring above the canopy, or shredding a monster wave, hold on tight — this is where adventure comes alive. The country is packed with epic experiences; the only question is which one you’ll take on first.

🚣 Conquer Class IV–V rapids on the Pacuare and Sarapiquí Rivers during a guided rafting expedition.
⚡ Zipline through misty cloud forests and over plunging waterfall gorges on a canopy excursion.
🌊 Ride world-class waves in Tamarindo and Santa Teresa, or head to Dominical for expert-level surf.
🎣 Hook marlin, sailfish, dorado, and yellowfin tuna on a deep-sea charter with local captains.
🐎 Gallop along secluded beaches on a sunset horseback outing led by local wranglers.

EXCITEMENT Ahead!
Wildlife & Wilderness

Wildlife & Wilderness

Step into a living paradise of biodiversity — where every sound, scent, and color reveals nature’s untamed beauty. Join expert naturalists and local guides who lead you deep into Costa Rica’s wild heart to uncover its most remarkable creatures and landscapes.

🌿 Glide through rainforest canopies on a zipline excursion or walk a hanging-bridge with canopy experts
🦜 Spot sloths, toucans, monkeys, and colorful frogs up close led by naturalists that know just where to find them
🛶 Embark on a guided kayaking or boating adventure through tranquil mangroves and serene mountain lakes
🌋 Unwind on a relaxing outing to volcanic hot springs beneath Arenal’s majestic peak
🐢 Experience an escorted encounter with nesting sea turtles along the Pacific and Caribbean shores

START EXPLORING!
Cultural Experience

Cultural Experience

Immerse yourself in the heart and soul of Costa Rica — where every rhythm, flavor, and smile reflects the spirit of pura vida. Wander through lively markets, savor fresh coffee at the source, and dance to marimba beats as locals welcome you into their vibrant way of life.

🍲 Taste traditional dishes like casado and gallo pinto in bustling sodas and along beach cafés
☕ Visit coffee fincas and learn the art of sustainable farming and small-batch roasting
🎉 Celebrate with locals at colorful festivals, bar hopping with friends, and moon lit beach bonfires
🏛️ Explore historic landmarks, colonial churches, and vibrant street art scenes
🛍️ Stroll through open-air mercados, meet friendly artisans, and discover handmade treasures

Embrace THE CULTURE!
Scroll to Top