While nature is usually the main reason for the trip, it is Costa Rican culture that leaves the deepest mark. The warmth of its people, its simple and flavorful cooking and its rural traditions reveal a country proud of its roots and open to the world.
The pura vida philosophy
More than a phrase, "pura vida" is an attitude: valuing simple things, enjoying the moment and treating others with kindness. You will hear it as a greeting, as the answer to "how are you?" and as a way to say thanks. Embracing it during your trip is the best way to connect with Ticos.
Costa Rican cuisine
Tico cooking is homestyle, fresh and comforting. A few dishes worth trying:
- Gallo pinto: rice and beans sautéed with spices, the national breakfast.
- Casado: the classic lunch plate with rice, beans, salad, sweet plantain and a protein.
- Olla de carne: a traditional beef and root vegetable soup.
- Chifrijo: a shareable favorite with beans, crispy pork and pico de gallo.
- Rice and beans: the Caribbean version, cooked in coconut milk.
- Salsa Lizano: the condiment you will find on nearly every table.
Tropical fruits deserve their own chapter: rambutan, soursop, passion fruit, cas and peach palm are all part of the experience. In recent years a contemporary dining scene has also emerged, reinterpreting local ingredients with fine-dining techniques.
Coffee: a tradition with history
Coffee transformed Costa Rica’s economy and society beginning in the nineteenth century. Visiting a farm lets you see the planting, hand harvesting, processing and roasting, and learn to cup like a professional. Many farms are family businesses that span several generations.
Traditions and celebrations
- The painted oxcart: a national symbol decorated with vivid colors and geometric patterns. The town of Sarchí is its birthplace.
- Guanacaste sabanero culture: cowboy traditions, marimba music and folk dances.
- Civic holidays: Independence Day on September 15 is celebrated with lantern parades the night before.
- Patron saint festivals: town fairs with traditional food, music and topes, which are horseback parades.
Diverse roots
Costa Rica is a multicultural country. On the Caribbean coast, Afro-Caribbean heritage shines through calypso music, coconut-infused cooking and an English-based creole language. Indigenous peoples such as the Bribri, Cabécar, Boruca and Maleku live in different regions and preserve their knowledge, crafts and ceremonies. Hand-carved Boruca masks are among the country’s most treasured crafts.
Recommended experiences
- A Tico cooking class with a local family.
- A coffee or chocolate tour on a family-run farm.
- A visit to artisan workshops in Sarchí.
- A respectful encounter with Indigenous communities through community-based rural tourism projects.
- A cultural tour of San José: the National Theater, markets and museums.
Cultural etiquette
- Always open with "buenos días" or "buenas tardes" before asking a question.
- Ticos tend to communicate indirectly and politely; patience is highly valued.
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially in Indigenous communities.
- Punctuality can be relaxed in social settings, but tourism services run on time.
Experiencing local culture enriches any itinerary. We would be glad to include these experiences in your trip, with bilingual guides who will help you understand every tradition.
