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!"

Trade The Long Road
For The Short Hop

Domestic Air

Directory

Domestic air travel is the secret to seeing Costa Rica in 10 days rather than 3 weeks. These airlines operate smaller Cessna Grand Caravans, providing breathtaking views of volcanoes and coastlines.

SANSA – The National Leader

As the most established domestic airline, SANSA boasts the largest fleet and most frequent schedule. They operate out of their own private terminal at SJO, which means you avoid the main terminal chaos. If you are flying to more obscure locations like Golfito or Coto 47, SANSA is usually your only option.

Green Airways – Boutique & Sustainable

A family-owned airline that focuses on the “experience.” They offer a more premium feel with newer aircraft interiors and a commitment to carbon neutrality. While their route map is smaller (focused on Tambor, Quepos, and Nosara), they are famous for their VIP-style service and complimentary snacks at their SJO lounge.

La Fortuna

Arenal Strip

Quepos

Manuel Antonio

Tortuguero

Remote Jungles

Drake Bay

Corcovado

Domestic Airports Directory

A comprehensive list of domestic landing strips and regional hubs serving Costa Rica’s major tourist zones.

CodeAirport & RegionPrimary Destinations Served
SJOJuan Santamaría
Central Valley (Hub)		Primary international hub connecting all domestic points.
LIRGuanacaste Airport
Liberia (Hub)		Direct access to Northern Pacific beach destinations.
ACOCóbano
Nicoya Peninsula		Santa Teresa, Montezuma, Mal País.
XQPQuepos
Central Pacific		Manuel Antonio National Park, Dominical.
DRKDrake Bay
Osa Peninsula		Remote Corcovado access, Isla del Caño.
PJMPuerto Jiménez
Osa Peninsula		Corcovado hiking gateway, Golfo Dulce.
TNOTamarindo
Guanacaste		Playa Tamarindo, Playa Grande, Langosta.
NOBNosara
Guanacaste		Playa Guiones, yoga retreats, surf camps.
FONLa Fortuna
Northern Highlands		Arenal Volcano, hot springs, Lake Arenal.
TTQTortuguero
Northern Caribbean		Tortuguero Village and National Park canals.
TMUTambor
Nicoya Peninsula		Southern Nicoya, Curú Wildlife Refuge.
GLFGolfito
South Pacific		Duty-free zone, Pavones, southern surf breaks.
LIOLimón
Caribbean Coast		Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, Caribbean beaches.

Local Tips

Costa Rica has its own rules and regulations around transportation, public and private. Being aware of those nuances can ensure your journey is as smooth and delightful.

Weight Limits

Domestic flights are strict. Most allow only 25-30 lbs of checked luggage. They will weigh you and your bags to ensure aircraft balance.

Terminal Transfers

The SJO domestic terminal is a separate building. Allow a 3-hour layover to clear customs and walk/shuttle to the local terminal.

Domestic Flights

Short on time? SANSA or Costa Rica Green Airways offer 25-minute flights to the coast for ~$80-$150. This saves you 6+ hours of driving through the mountains.

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