San José, Costa Rica: Spanish travel guide
Rainforests, volcanoes and two coasts. Costa Ricans (Ticos) are relaxed and polite, and say “pura vida” for almost everything.
- MoneyColón (CRC, ₡). US dollars are widely accepted.
- Tipping10% service is already on restaurant bills
- Emergency911
- VoiceLatin American Spanish
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Tico greetings
- ¡Pura vida!Hello! / Thanks! / All good!Say it: POO-rah BEE-dahCosta Rica's all-purpose phrase.
- ¿Cómo está usted?How are you?Say it: KOH-moh ehs-TAH oos-TEHDTicos use usted a lot, even with friends.
- Con mucho gustoYou're welcome (with pleasure)Say it: kohn MOO-choh GOOS-toh
- ¡Upe!Anybody home?Say it: OO-pehCalled out at the door of a house or a quiet shop.
Money and tipping
- Restaurant bills already include a 10% service charge and 13% tax, so extra tipping is optional. Add a little for excellent service.
- Dollars are accepted in many places, but change usually comes in colones. Small colón notes are handy.
- Tip tour guides and drivers if they did a good job.
Five Tico words
- maedude, mate (casual)Say it: MAH-eh
- tuaniscoolSay it: TWAH-nees
- ¡Qué chiva!How cool!Say it: keh CHEE-bah
- el casadothe typical set lunch: rice, beans, salad and meatSay it: ehl kah-SAH-doh
- la sodasmall, cheap local restaurantSay it: lah SOH-dah
Good to know
- Addresses use landmarks, not street numbers: “200 metros al norte de la iglesia” means 200 m north of the church. 100 m is about one block.
- Bring layers: San José is cool and rainy in the afternoons from May to November.
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