20 Phrases To Know Before Visiting Costa Rica
Costa Rica is an exciting destination, offering lush greenery, tall mountains, dense jungles, pristine beaches, and dramatic waterfalls; it’s a true paradise for adventure seekers.
With various landscapes to explore and Spanish as the main language, learning a few key phrases can be incredibly helpful for navigating the country and ensuring a smooth, enjoyable experience. So, keep reading as I share some essential phrases that will prepare you for an unforgettable trip to Costa Rica.
Hola – Hello
Pronunciation: ola
You likely already know how to say “hello” in Spanish; it’s “hola.” This simple word works perfectly when greeting someone, passing people on the street, or entering a store or restaurant.
Adiós – Goodbye
Pronunciation: ah-dee-oh-s
Another word you probably recognize is “goodbye” or “adiós” in Spanish. This is a great word to use when leaving your hotel, stepping out of a taxi, or exiting a restaurant or store. Saying “adiós” adds a polite, friendly touch whenever you’re on your way out.
Gracias – Thank You
Pronunciation: graw-see-as
“Gracias” is another useful phrase to know when visiting Costa Rica. Meaning “thank you,” it’s perfect for expressing appreciation in various situations, such as someone holding the door for you, saying thank you to your tour guide after a fun day, or showing gratitude to your server at a restaurant for bringing over your drinks.
Cómo Está? – How Are You
Pronunciation: co-mo es-tah
Another friendly phrase to know is “Cómo está?” You’ll often hear locals greet you with, “Hola, cómo está?” which means “Hello, how are you?” While locals may ask you this, it’s also an excellent phrase for you to use! It shows appreciation and that you’ve tried to learn a few polite phrases, helping you connect with the locals.
Bien/Malo – Good/Bad
Pronunciation: bee-in/mal-oh
Next on the list is how to respond to the common question, “Cómo está?” If you’re feeling good, smile and say, “Bien!” If you’re not feeling well, you can reply with “malo.”
Pura Vida – Pure Life
Pronunciation: pure-ah vee-dah
I absolutely love this phrase, and it’s handy to know before visiting Costa Rica since it’s one of the country’s most iconic expressions! “Pura Vida,” which translates to “pure life,” can be found everywhere: on storefronts, t-shirts, hats, and more.
This simple yet meaningful phrase encourages you to embrace life and can be used in various contexts. I personally appreciate it because it reflects the relaxed culture of Costa Rica, serving as a kind reminder that life is meant to be enjoyed!
Dónde Está…? – Where Is…?
Pronunciation: doe-n-day eh-sta
Probably one of the most important questions you should know is the phrase “Dónde está…?” which means “Where is…?”
This phrase is incredibly useful for asking about the location of the bathroom, a restaurant, the beach, and much more! I suggest practicing it beforehand so you don’t forget it, as it will come in handy in various situations.
El Baño – The Bathroom
Pronunciation: el bahn-yo
If you’re anything like me, you might feel a bit anxious about traveling to a new country and trying to find the bathrooms, recognizing the signs for one, and knowing how to ask for directions to the nearest restroom.
Fortunately, it’s pretty simple! The term for “the bathroom” is “el baño,” and combining it with the earlier phrase is helpful. To ask, “Where is the bathroom?” just say, “Dónde está el baño?”
Cascada – Waterfall
Pronunciation: cas-cah-dah
Costa Rica is renowned for its beautiful waterfalls, which are found all over the country. Knowing the word for “waterfall” can be helpful when asking locals for directions or spotting signs that guide you there.
The word in Spanish is “cascada,” which I find easy to remember because it sounds like the English word “cascade,” which reminds me of water cascading down, much like a gorgeous waterfall!
Puente Colgante – Hanging Bridge
Pronunciation: pw-ay-tay col-gahn-tay
Another popular tourist attraction that Costa Rica is known for is its many hanging bridges. In Spanish, these are called “puente colgante.” This is nice to know when asking for directions or looking for signs to follow!
Cerveza – Beer
Pronunciation: sir-vay-sah
One of my favorite Spanish words is “cerveza,” which means “beer.” There’s nothing like winding down after a long day of exploring different hiking trails in Costa Rica, coming back to a local restaurant near your hotel, and asking for a cerveza while appreciating the views.
Agua – Water
Pronunciation: ah-gwah
Another essential word to know before traveling to Costa Rica is “agua,” which means “water.” While locals will likely understand you when you ask for water, it’s polite and considerate to ask in their language.
Additionally, you’ll see signs advertising agua for sale, so it’s important to recognize that it means water, which will help you stay hydrated during your trip.
Café – Coffee
Pronunciation: Cah-fey
Did you know that Costa Rica is famous for its delicious coffee? There are numerous coffee plantations throughout the country that you can tour! If you’re a coffee lover like I am, it’s helpful to know that “coffee” translates to “café” in Spanish.
This way, you can enjoy a cup of joe in the morning and look for local beans for sale at stores, stalls, and markets! The coffee here is incredibly high quality and tasty, so you definitely won’t want to miss out on it!
Cuánto Cuesta…? – How Much Is…?
Pronunciation: quan-to kwe-sta
When you’re looking to buy a cup of coffee, a souvenir blanket, or some delicious plantains, knowing how to ask about the prices is useful. You can say, “¿Cuánto cuesta…?” which means “How much is…?”
Since it can be a bit challenging to remember all the different words for things like “blanket,” “souvenir,” and “food,” I usually smile and point to what I’m referring to. Locals will likely respond with a price so you can easily understand how much it costs.
Uno, Dos, Tres, Cuatro, Cinco, Seis, Siete, Ocho, Nuevo, Diez – One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten
Pronunciation: ew-no, dose, trays, qwan-tro, seen-ko, say-s, see-et-eh, oh-cho, new-e-vay, dee-ez
Knowing how to pronounce a few numbers before visiting a new country is helpful. This way, you can order “two cups of coffee,” “five pieces of chocolate,” or even reserve a table for six!
Numbers are handy in many situations, so I recommend learning at least one through ten to help you communicate with the locals.
Me Gustaría… – I Would Like…
Pronunciation: meh gew-stah-ree-ah
Another useful phrase to know before heading to Costa Rica is “Me gustaría…,” which means “I would like…” This is another situation where I often point to an item, whether a blanket or a dish on a menu.
It’s a straightforward phrase that can be very helpful when purchasing something or ordering at a restaurant.
Sí/No – Yes/No
Pronunciation: see/no
Knowing how to say yes and no when visiting a foreign country is always beneficial. It enables you to agree to things you want and decline those you don’t. It’s quite simple in Costa Rica: yes is “sí,” and no is “no.”
Por Favor – Please
Pronunciation: pour fah-v-or
If you want to elevate your phrases a bit, adding “por favor” is always polite, which means “please.” I often use this when ordering at a restaurant.
For example, if I wanted a beer, I would say, “Cerveza, por favor,” while pointing to the one I’d like. This is a courteous way to ask for something and helps ensure you don’t come across as demanding.
Habla Inglés? – Do You Speak English?
Pronunciation: ah-blah een-glase
This is an essential phrase, especially if you’re not very confident in your Spanish skills. If someone approaches you and starts speaking Spanish quickly, you can ask, “Habla inglés?” or “Do you speak English?”
They will likely respond with “sí” and switch to English, or they might say “no.” In that case, I usually smile and do my best to understand what they’re trying to communicate.
No Hablo Español – I Don’t Speak Spanish
Pronunciation: no ah-blow es-pan-yol
This ties in with “Habla inglés?” Instead of asking someone if they speak English, you could say, “No hablo español,” to let them know you don’t speak Spanish.
Hopefully, they will either smile and move on if they don’t speak English, or they may respond in English if they do know the language.
Are There Any Other Phrases You Recommend Learning Before Heading To Costa Rica?
Tell us all about them in the comments!
