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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!"

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Explore the Hidden
Costa Rica

Car Rental

Renting a car in Costa Rica gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and reach destinations that buses and shuttles don’t always cover. From hidden beaches to remote mountain towns, having your own wheels means you can stop whenever adventure calls. It’s the ultimate choice for flexibility and independence on your journey.

Renting a Car in Costa Rica

Step-by-Step Guide (With Money-Saving & Scam Tips)

Before Renting a Car
  • Check if your hotel offers free parking before renting
  • Use a major credit card with rental coverage
  • Avoid unnecessary add-ons (GPS units, child seats if you can bring your own)
Compare Rental Companies

Research reputable agencies operating in San José and Liberia airports. Compare total pricing—not just the advertised daily rate.

🌿Local Tip: The cheapest online rate often excludes mandatory insurance. Always check the final estimated total before booking.

Understand Mandatory Insurance

Costa Rica requires basic liability insurance (often called TPL or SLI).

  • Liability Insurance: Mandatory by law
  • Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Often optional but strongly recommended
  • Credit Card Coverage: May cover CDW, but you’ll still need mandatory liability

🌿Local Tip: Some sites advertise very low daily rates but dramatically increase the price at pickup due to required insurance. Confirm insurance costs in writing before arrival.

Choose the Right Vehicle

It may be temping to always get an SUV, but before making the expense, make sure that is what you need.

  • 4×4 SUV: Recommended for mountains, waterfalls, or rural areas
  • Compact Car: Fine for cities and major highways
  • Manual vs Automatic: Manuals are cheaper and more common

🌿Local Tip: If you’re staying near beaches or remote lodges, a 4×4 can prevent damage fees from rough roads.

Reserve in Advance

Book early during high season (December–April). Prices rise quickly during holidays.

  • Weekly discounts
  • Free additional driver promotions
  • Airport delivery specials

🌿Local Tip: Book your rental car with a refundable option—no one likes losing their deposit when plans take a detour.

Inspect the Vehicle Carefully

Before leaving the lot:

  • Take photos and videos of the entire car
  • Document scratches, dents, windshield chips
  • Ensure everything is written on the contractWeekly discounts

🌿Local Tip: This protects you from being charged for pre-existing damage..

Know the Driving Basics

Cars book up quickly, especially in high season (December–April). Reserving online is smart, but keep in mind that the super-low prices you see on websites often don’t include mandatory insurance. More on that later.

  • Roads range from modern highways to rough gravel
  • GPS or offline Google Maps works well
  • Gas stations are full-service

🌿Local Tip: Decline prepaid fuel unless you’re returning nearly empty.

Return Smart

It’s important to pay attention when returning the vehicle that you don’t get any extra charges.

  • Refuel near the airport (gas is cheaper outside the terminal area)
  • Arrive early to allow time for inspection
  • Get written confirmation of return condition

Reserve Your Rental Car Today

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