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Spanish is the main language in Costa Rica. All major newspapers and official business are conducted in Spanish. English is used widely in areas populated by international tourists, and information for tourists is often bilingual or exclusively in English. A number of businesses operated by European proprietors can accommodate guests in Spanish, English and their native languages.
Some Costa Rican expressions:
Costa Rican cuisine can be described as simple but wholesome. The spiciness often associated with Latin America has typically originated in Mexico, most Costa Rican foods are not spicy but as they simmer in a large pot, the flavors are blended. Gallo pinto is a mixture of rice and beans with a little cilantro or onion thrown in. While more common at breakfast, it can also be served at lunch or dinner. Casado, which means married, is the typical lunch in Costa Rica, containing rice and beans with meat, chicken or fish, always served with salad and fried plantain. Plato del dia, is the 'Plate of the Day' and is often a Casado, but has the meat or fish selection of the day. Usually around 3.00 USD and includes a natural juice. Good, fresh fruit is abundant in variety and low in cost. Mercados provide an excellent place to sample fruit and other Costa Rican fare, with many including sit-down snack bars. You are encouraged to experiment because some of the local fruits do not "travel well" as they are bruised easily and or have a short shelf life. The Mango found in store in North America are much more fiberous and less sweet then the Mangos found in Costa Rica. THe fingerling bannas are much more creamy and less tart then the ones found in North America. Be sure to stop off at a rest room along any of the roads: a casado and beer will cost ~$3. Don't forget to try the Salsa Lizano that you will surely find at any restaurant. It is a mild vegetable sauce that has a hint of curry and is slightly sweet. It's often referred to as Costa Rican ketchup. It tastes good on just about anything! Bring some home with you! You can find smaller sized bottles at any market. Also as per usual in Central America standard breakfast fare is a ham sandwich, so people adverse to eating pork might be advised to check out a grocery market for something else.
Many Ticos will go to a local bakery and buy a loaf of white bread.
Vegetarians will find it surprisingly easy to eat well in Costa Rica.
Don't forget to tip tour guides, drivers, bellboys and maids. Restaurant bills include a 10% gratuity but leave an extra tip for good service. Which is why Americans get better service because they are used to tipping seperatly. You don't have to tip.
The beef cattle are raised on grass, the meat will taste different then cattle fed corn. The cuts of meat are also different, at the local restaurants. Chicken tastes like chicken.
Refrescos are beverages made from fresh fruit (cas, guanabana, sandia/watermelon, mora/blackberry, fresa/strawberry, granadilla/passion fruit), sugar and either water or milk. All sodas (mom and pop diners) serve these. You can also easily buy the standard international soda pops. 'Fresca' and 'Canada Dry' are recommended. The national drink is called guaro, which is made from fermented sugar cane. It is similar to vodka, and is usually drunk with water and lemon. There are like 8 different beers in the country and are sold as cans, bottles and even kegs. The most popular beers in the country are Pilsen and Imperial: all bars and restaurants serve both. Bavaria, "Bavaria Negra" (dark) and Rock Ice are more expensive and therefore less common. Heineken is locally made under license and is more expensive as well. The coffee, some of the best in the world, is just excellent. The stores in San Jose airport will sell you excellent coffee, but other good quality blends can be found in the local supermarket. It is an expensive habit. Bring an empty suit case and fill it with your year's supply of coffee.
The local currency is Colón(es) named after Columbus (Spanish: Colón). The rate of change is about 495 Colones for 1 US Dollar (January 2008). But note that the use of US Dollars is quite common; in the tourist setting, almost everything is priced in Dollars (but sometimes prices are cheaper in colones). You can find ATMs in most places. They normally dispense US Dollars and Colones. The most common souvenirs are made from wood. Unless it's marked as responsible (plantation grown wood), it is most likely not and may be contributing to the deforestation of Costa Rica - or even Nicaragua or Panama! You might get a discount (usually between 5% and 10%) when paying in cash. Traveler's checks are rarely used. When paying with Traveler's checks, unless for hotel nights, change them first at a bank. Expect long delays with Traveler's checks at the bank, lots of stamping, the higher up the official at the bank the more stamps they have. Dollars are easier. In Golfito there is the "Deposito Comercial de Golfito", a duty free area where you can buy mostly electrical appliances, home furnishings, perfumes, clothes, etc at the best price. Guanacaste and the North West. Buy the coffee, drink the coffee, take the coffee back to your home country. Britte sells many varieties of their coffee in the San Jose Airport. You can purchase cheaper varieties outside the airport.
- Ma'e, used akin to the English word "dude", although literally meaning something more like "idiot". Generally spoken among friends. It's pronounced 'my'.
- Pura vida, literally translated as "pure life," is an expression endemic to Costa Rica. It can be used in several contexts, as an expression of enthusiasm, agreement, or salutation. It's pronounced 'poora veeda'.
- Pulpería, a general store.
- Tuanis, means "OK". Taken from English phrase "too nice".
Costa Rican cuisine can be described as simple but wholesome. The spiciness often associated with Latin America has typically originated in Mexico, most Costa Rican foods are not spicy but as they simmer in a large pot, the flavors are blended. Gallo pinto is a mixture of rice and beans with a little cilantro or onion thrown in. While more common at breakfast, it can also be served at lunch or dinner. Casado, which means married, is the typical lunch in Costa Rica, containing rice and beans with meat, chicken or fish, always served with salad and fried plantain. Plato del dia, is the 'Plate of the Day' and is often a Casado, but has the meat or fish selection of the day. Usually around 3.00 USD and includes a natural juice. Good, fresh fruit is abundant in variety and low in cost. Mercados provide an excellent place to sample fruit and other Costa Rican fare, with many including sit-down snack bars. You are encouraged to experiment because some of the local fruits do not "travel well" as they are bruised easily and or have a short shelf life. The Mango found in store in North America are much more fiberous and less sweet then the Mangos found in Costa Rica. THe fingerling bannas are much more creamy and less tart then the ones found in North America. Be sure to stop off at a rest room along any of the roads: a casado and beer will cost ~$3. Don't forget to try the Salsa Lizano that you will surely find at any restaurant. It is a mild vegetable sauce that has a hint of curry and is slightly sweet. It's often referred to as Costa Rican ketchup. It tastes good on just about anything! Bring some home with you! You can find smaller sized bottles at any market. Also as per usual in Central America standard breakfast fare is a ham sandwich, so people adverse to eating pork might be advised to check out a grocery market for something else.
Many Ticos will go to a local bakery and buy a loaf of white bread.
Vegetarians will find it surprisingly easy to eat well in Costa Rica.
Don't forget to tip tour guides, drivers, bellboys and maids. Restaurant bills include a 10% gratuity but leave an extra tip for good service. Which is why Americans get better service because they are used to tipping seperatly. You don't have to tip.
The beef cattle are raised on grass, the meat will taste different then cattle fed corn. The cuts of meat are also different, at the local restaurants. Chicken tastes like chicken.
Refrescos are beverages made from fresh fruit (cas, guanabana, sandia/watermelon, mora/blackberry, fresa/strawberry, granadilla/passion fruit), sugar and either water or milk. All sodas (mom and pop diners) serve these. You can also easily buy the standard international soda pops. 'Fresca' and 'Canada Dry' are recommended. The national drink is called guaro, which is made from fermented sugar cane. It is similar to vodka, and is usually drunk with water and lemon. There are like 8 different beers in the country and are sold as cans, bottles and even kegs. The most popular beers in the country are Pilsen and Imperial: all bars and restaurants serve both. Bavaria, "Bavaria Negra" (dark) and Rock Ice are more expensive and therefore less common. Heineken is locally made under license and is more expensive as well. The coffee, some of the best in the world, is just excellent. The stores in San Jose airport will sell you excellent coffee, but other good quality blends can be found in the local supermarket. It is an expensive habit. Bring an empty suit case and fill it with your year's supply of coffee.
The local currency is Colón(es) named after Columbus (Spanish: Colón). The rate of change is about 495 Colones for 1 US Dollar (January 2008). But note that the use of US Dollars is quite common; in the tourist setting, almost everything is priced in Dollars (but sometimes prices are cheaper in colones). You can find ATMs in most places. They normally dispense US Dollars and Colones. The most common souvenirs are made from wood. Unless it's marked as responsible (plantation grown wood), it is most likely not and may be contributing to the deforestation of Costa Rica - or even Nicaragua or Panama! You might get a discount (usually between 5% and 10%) when paying in cash. Traveler's checks are rarely used. When paying with Traveler's checks, unless for hotel nights, change them first at a bank. Expect long delays with Traveler's checks at the bank, lots of stamping, the higher up the official at the bank the more stamps they have. Dollars are easier. In Golfito there is the "Deposito Comercial de Golfito", a duty free area where you can buy mostly electrical appliances, home furnishings, perfumes, clothes, etc at the best price. Guanacaste and the North West. Buy the coffee, drink the coffee, take the coffee back to your home country. Britte sells many varieties of their coffee in the San Jose Airport. You can purchase cheaper varieties outside the airport.
Content courtesy of Wikitravel and is updated weekly. Content is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 1.0.
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