Costa Rica

Discover Costa Rica

Fun Foods

Chorreadas, Casado, Arroz con pollo, Chifrijo, Patacones, and Churchill

Costa Rica hasn't had an army since 1948. They spent the military budget on schools, healthcare, and national parks instead. The results speak for themselves.

But people lived here long before any of that. Indigenous groups like the Bribri and Cabécar settled these lands over 10,000 years ago. They farmed cacao, built trails, and traded gold with neighboring civilizations.

Spanish conquistadors arrived in 1502. Columbus himself landed on the Caribbean coast and called it Costa Rica, meaning "Rich Coast," expecting gold. He didn't find much.

Spain ruled for 300 years but mostly ignored this small colony. Costa Rica declared independence in 1821 along with the rest of Central America. No war required. Spain barely noticed.

Coffee changed everything. By the 1800s, Costa Rica was shipping beans to Europe and building roads with the profits. Coffee barons became the new ruling class.

A short civil war erupted in 1948 over a disputed election. It lasted 44 days and killed about 2,000 people. The winning side did something unexpected.

They abolished the military entirely.

Today Costa Rica is one of the most stable democracies in Latin America. It's also one of the happiest countries on Earth.

Arenal Volcano rises 5,400 feet with hot springs bubbling at its base. Monteverde's cloud forest hangs thick with mist and howler monkeys. Manuel Antonio has beaches where monkeys steal your snacks right off the towel.

Gallo pinto is breakfast here. It's rice and beans fried together with onions and peppers. Kids either love it or survive on pancakes for a week.

Casado is the lunch special everywhere. It means "married" because the rice, beans, plantains, salad, and meat all come together on one plate. It's cheap and filling.

Tres leches cake soaks in three kinds of milk until it melts in your mouth. Patacones are smashed fried plantains that crunch like chips. Street vendors sell coconuts chopped open with machetes.

Independence Day on September 15th brings parades and lantern runs. Kids carry handmade faroles (lanterns) through the streets after dark.

"Pura Vida" means pure life. Costa Ricans use it for hello, goodbye, and everything in between.