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Culture & TraditionsWhat Does Pura Vida Actually Mean in Costa Rica?Pure life, sure — but Ticos use it as hello, thanks, no worries and never mind. Where the phrase came from, and…Culture & TraditionsVeranillo de San Juan: Costa Rica’s Little SummerRainy season breaks for a week or two around June 24, and most visitors have never heard of it. What the veranillo…Culture & TraditionsHow San José Became the Capital of Costa Rica(Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP) How San José Became the Capital of Costa Rica (1823 Story) San José wasn't always the…Culture & TraditionsCosta Rica’s Nicoya Blue Zone: Healthy Habits and Must-See SpotsThe Nicoya Peninsula stands out as one of the few places on earth where people routinely live past 100 in good health.…Culture & TraditionsFiestas de Zapote: Costa Rica’s Big End-of-Year Fair in San JoseIf you're planning a trip to Costa Rica around the holidays, Fiestas de Zapote stands out as a local event full of…Culture & TraditionsChristmas in Costa Rica: What to Expect as a TouristChristmas in Costa Rica means tamales instead of turkey, fireworks instead of snow and half the country heading to the beach. It…Culture & TraditionsCosta Rica Holidays and Celebrations: A Month-by-Month GuideA public holiday can close the bank you needed, fill every beach hotel or put you in the middle of a parade…Culture & TraditionsNational Theatre of Costa Rica: History, Tours and ShowsThe National Theatre of Costa Rica (Teatro Nacional) is a 19th-century opera house in downtown San José, paid for largely with coffee…Culture & TraditionsMaleku People of Costa Rica: History, Culture and How to VisitAbout an hour north of La Fortuna, the Maleku keep alive a language, crafts and history that few Arenal visitors hear about.…Culture & TraditionsLimón, Costa Rica: Travel Guide, Culture, and HistoryHave you ever thought about the hidden spots along Costa Rica's Caribbean coast? Beyond the popular places, Limón Costa Rica is a…Culture & TraditionsCosta Rica’s National Anthem: A Song of Pura Vida PrideWhen I moved to Costa Rica, the national anthem grabbed my attention—a melody that captures the soul of this peaceful nation. Born…Culture & TraditionsCosta Rica Gun Laws: What Visitors and Expats Should KnowThinking of packing a handgun for your trip, or buying one after you move? Costa Rica's gun laws are stricter than most…Culture & TraditionsJuan Santamaría: Costa Rica’s National Hero and Symbol of BraveryPhoto: Wiki Juan Santamaría, a humble drummer from Alajuela, is Costa Rica’s most revered national hero, celebrated for his selfless courage during…Culture & TraditionsWhat Does Tico Mean? Why Costa Ricans Are Called Ticos"Tico" is what Costa Ricans call themselves. It's friendly, it's used with pride, and you'll hear it within minutes of landing. Tico…Culture & TraditionsCosta Rican Music: Styles, Artists and Where to Hear ItCosta Rican music runs from the marimba-and-guitar folk of Guanacaste to calypso sung in Creole English on the Caribbean coast, with salsa,…Culture & TraditionsSoccer in Costa Rica: A Deep Dive into the SportSoccer is the heartbeat of Costa Rica. From packed stadiums in San José to dusty pitches near the Nicaragua and Panama borders,…Culture & TraditionsBoruca Masks and Festivals in Costa RicaBoruca masks are hand-carved, brightly painted wooden masks made by the Boruca, an indigenous people of southern Costa Rica. Carved from balsa…Culture & TraditionsGuanacaste: The Heart of Costa Rican Culture and HistoryGuanacaste isn’t just another beach destination in Costa Rica. It’s a region with deep roots, shaped by the land, the people who…Culture & TraditionsFun and Interesting Facts About Costa Rica You’ll Want to KnowIf you’ve ever thought about visiting Costa Rica or just want to know what makes this place tick, you’re in for a…Culture & TraditionsMother’s Day in Costa Rica: Date, History and TraditionsMother's Day in Costa Rica is August 15, not the second Sunday in May. It's a national paid holiday that falls on…Culture & TraditionsCosta Rican Slang: 68 Everyday Expressions Locals UseCosta Rican slang is what turns textbook Spanish into the Spanish you'll actually hear: "pura vida" for everything from hello to thanks,…Culture & TraditionsCelebrate Farmer’s Day in Costa Rica: Markets, Tours, and MoreEvery May, Costa Rica comes together to celebrate Farmer’s Appreciation Day, a heartfelt thank-you to the farmers who keep the country fed…Culture & TraditionsCosta Rica Traditional Dances: Punto Guanacasteco and MoreCosta Rica's national dance was written by a man in a jail cell, and its best-known moment is a shouted, rhyming insult.…Culture & TraditionsFiesta de Los Diablitos: A Costa Rica Indigenous CelebrationThe Fiesta de los Diablitos, or Festival of the Little Devils, is a four-day Indigenous celebration held every year from December 30…