🇨🇷 What Language Do They Speak in Costa Rica?
The short answer
Costa Rica speaks Spanish, and Ticos (as Costa Ricans call themselves) speak a notably clear, polite variety — usted is used even with children and dogs. The national catchphrase pura vida ('pure life') works as hello, goodbye, thanks and life philosophy.
Worth knowing
- ●'Pura vida' is greeting, farewell, thank-you and worldview in two words
- ●Costa Ricans favour usted where most countries use tú — politeness is baked into the grammar
- ●The Caribbean coast also speaks Limonese Creole, an English-based creole
Going to Costa Rica? Say your first words before you land.
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