The Costa Rica national anthem, the “Himno Nacional de Costa Rica,” opens with the line “Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera” (“Noble homeland, your beautiful flag”). Manuel María Gutiérrez composed the music in 1852, José María Zeledón Brenes wrote the lyrics in 1903, and the lyrics became official in 1949. The song praises peace, hard work and the land, and Costa Ricans sing it at school events, soccer matches and, most memorably, at 6 p.m. on Sept. 14, the eve of Independence Day.
This guide is for travelers and new residents who want to understand the anthem before they hear it. It covers the full Spanish lyrics with an English translation, the history behind the song, what the words mean and how to act when it plays.
| Costa Rica national anthem | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Official name | Himno Nacional de Costa Rica |
| First line | “Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera” |
| Music | Manuel María Gutiérrez, 1852 |
| Lyrics | José María Zeledón Brenes, 1903 |
| Made official | Lyrics in 1949; the music by decree in 1979 |
| Main themes | Peace, work, the land and defense of the homeland |
| When it’s sung nationwide | 6 p.m. on Sept. 14, the eve of Independence Day |
Lyrics
Costa Rica National Anthem Lyrics in Spanish and English
These are the official lyrics, followed by a plain English translation. The translation is for meaning, not for singing.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera expresión de tu vida nos da; bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo blanca y pura descansa la paz. |
Noble homeland, your beautiful flag shows us the meaning of your life; beneath the clear blue of your sky, white and pure, peace rests. |
| En la lucha tenaz, de fecunda labor que enrojece del hombre la faz, conquistaron tus hijos, labriegos sencillos, eterno prestigio, estima y honor. |
In the hard struggle of fruitful work that reddens the faces of men, your children, simple farmworkers, won lasting renown, esteem and honor. |
| ¡Salve, oh tierra gentil! ¡Salve, oh madre de amor! Cuando alguno pretenda tu gloria manchar, verás a tu pueblo, valiente y viril, la tosca herramienta en arma trocar. |
Hail, gentle land! Hail, mother of love! If anyone tries to stain your glory, you will see your people, brave and strong, trade their rough tools for weapons. |
| ¡Salve, oh patria!, tu pródigo suelo dulce abrigo y sustento nos da; bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo ¡vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz! |
Hail, homeland! Your generous soil gives us shelter and food; beneath the clear blue of your sky, may work and peace live forever! |
History
History of the Costa Rica National Anthem
1852: Music written for a diplomatic welcome
In 1852, diplomatic delegations from the United Kingdom and the United States were due in San José, and the government of President Juan Rafael Mora Porras wanted an anthem to greet them. The job went to Manuel María Gutiérrez, the young director of the military band, who wrote the music in a few days. The band first played it on June 11, 1852, at the receptions for the two delegations.
1856 to 1888: Lyrics that didn’t last
For half a century, the anthem had no lasting words. Lyrics were written during the 1856 war against William Walker’s filibusters, and new versions followed in 1873, 1879 and 1888. None caught on, and some didn’t fit the music well. Our guide to the Filibuster War covers the 1856 campaign.
1903: Zeledón wins the lyrics contest
In 1903, the government of President Ascensión Esquivel held a public contest for new lyrics. José María Zeledón Brenes, a writer and journalist, won, and his words were first sung publicly on Sept. 15, 1903, Independence Day. Today’s official text follows his version with small changes.
1949 and 1979: Made official
The founding junta led by José Figueres Ferrer made Zeledón’s lyrics official in 1949. Three decades later, a 1979 decree under President Rodrigo Carazo formally established Gutiérrez’s music as the national anthem.
Meaning
What the Lyrics Mean
- The flag and the sky. The first verse ties the anthem to the Costa Rican flag: the blue of the sky and the white of peace are two of its colors.
- Work, not conquest. The heroes of the second verse are “labriegos sencillos,” simple farmworkers, who earned the country’s honor through hard work. When Zeledón wrote it, coffee farming was the backbone of the economy.
- Tools before weapons. The chorus says Costa Ricans will trade their tools for weapons only if someone attacks the country’s honor. The idea fits a country that later abolished its army, in 1948. Read more about why Costa Rica has no military.
- Peace as the last word. The anthem ends with “¡vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz!” (“may work and peace live forever!”).
The anthem sits alongside Costa Rica’s other national symbols, including the flag, the yigüirro, the national bird, and the painted ox cart.
Where to hear it
Where You’ll Hear the Anthem in Costa Rica
- Sept. 14 at 6 p.m.: on the eve of Independence Day, people across the country stop to sing the anthem together, broadcast on TV and radio. Lantern parades follow in many towns. See our Costa Rica Independence Day guide.
- Sept. 15 parades: school marching bands play it during Independence Day parades in towns and cities.
- Soccer matches: it plays before national team games, when the stadium sings along. See our guide to Costa Rica soccer.
- Schools and official events: students learn it early, and it opens school ceremonies, government events and many civic celebrations. Our month-by-month holiday guide shows when the big ones fall.
Listen
Podcast Summary
Listen to a short audio summary of the anthem’s history.
For more on the country’s music, read our guide to Costa Rican music, or learn why Costa Ricans are called Ticos.
FAQ
Costa Rica National Anthem FAQ
What is the national anthem of Costa Rica called?
“Himno Nacional de Costa Rica.” Many people know it by its first line, “Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera.”
Who wrote the Costa Rica national anthem?
Manuel María Gutiérrez composed the music in 1852, and José María Zeledón Brenes wrote the lyrics in 1903.
When did the anthem become official?
The lyrics were made official in 1949, and a 1979 decree formally established the music.
What does the Costa Rica national anthem mean?
It celebrates peace, hard work and the land. It honors farmworkers and says Costa Ricans will defend the country only if its honor is attacked.
When do Costa Ricans sing the anthem together?
Most famously at 6 p.m. on Sept. 14, the eve of Independence Day. It’s also sung at schools, official events and national team soccer games.
Should visitors sing the national anthem?
There’s no need to sing. Stand, remove your hat and stay quiet while it plays.
The short version
Music from 1852, lyrics from 1903, both official today.
It praises peace, work and the land, and ends with “¡vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz!”
When it plays, stand and stay quiet.