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

TAXI

Need a Quick Ride?
No Problem!

Benefits
COMPARE
HOW TO
Tips

Door-to-Door Service
 24/7 Availability
Regulated Safety

Local Knowledge
Transparent Pricing
Universal Access

Secure, government-regulated transport with professional drivers and metered rates—providing reliable mobility across the country, from airport terminals to city streets.

Taxi Benefits

Reliable, Regulated, and Ready: Why Taxis are a Costa Rican Staple

Door-to-Door Service

Direct transport to your exact destination, saving you from navigating unfamiliar streets or walking with heavy luggage in the heat.

24/7 Availability

Perfect for early morning flights or late-night returns when bus schedules are finished or rideshare wait times are unpredictable.

Regulated Safety

Official taxis are fully insured and drivers are government-licensed, providing professional accountability and peace of mind.

Local Knowledge

Drivers often know the best “shortcuts” to avoid heavy San José traffic and can find locations that lack traditional street addresses.

Transparent Pricing

With “La María” (the meter), you pay a set rate per kilometer, eliminating the need for haggling or worrying about surge pricing.

Universal Access

Unlike apps that require data and a smartphone, taxis can be hailed on the street or called by any hotel landline anywhere in the country.

Taxi Differences

Red vs. Orange: Know Your Taxis and Where They Can Take You.”

Red Taxi

“Taxis Rojos” — Standard Nationwide Service

Operate everywhere in towns and cities.

Must have a yellow triangle on the door with a license number.

Equipped with a taximeter called “La Maríá”

Orange Taxi

“Taxis de Aeropuerto” — Airport exclusive service

The only taxis allowed to pick up inside airport grounds.

Larger vehicles for extra luggage (SUVs or vans).

Fixed rates based on destination zones.

How To: Find a Taxi

Hailing, Standing, or Calling: Finding Your Nearest Official Taxi

Hailing (Red Taxi)

You can hail a Red Taxi on almost any busy street in San José or larger towns.

  • Look for a red taxi
  • Signal clearly with your arm as they approach.
  • If their roof light is on, they are available.
  • Check for the yellow triangle license on the door.
Airport Pickup (Orange Taxi)

Airport procedure is highly controlled for your safety.

  • Visit the official counter inside the arrivals hall.
  • Pay a fixed zone-rate and receive a voucher.
  • Ignore solicitors; go to the official Orange line outside.
  • Hand your voucher to the driver, no meter necessary
Taxi Stands (Paradas)

Official stands are reliable spots to find vehicles queued up and ready.

  • Always take the vehicle at the front of the line.
  • Found next to Central Parks and Cathedrals.
  • Located at major bus terminals and supermarkets.

Phone & Apps

If you aren’t near a main road, use technology or ask for help.

  • Ask your hotel/restaurant: “¿Puede llamar un taxi?”
  • Many “Coope-Taxis” can be messaged via WhatsApp.

Local Tips

Hailing, Standing, or Calling: Finding Your Nearest Official Taxi

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.

Scroll to Top