“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 means Costa Rican. A man is a Tico, a woman is a Tica, and the plural is Ticos. The word comes from the Costa Rican habit of using the diminutive ending -ico where most Spanish speakers say -ito: chiquitico instead of chiquitito for “very small,” momentico instead of momentito for “just a moment.” Spain’s Royal Spanish Academy dictionary lists tico as a colloquial word for costarricense and traces it to that abundance of -ico diminutives. It isn’t an insult, and visitors can use it freely.
This guide covers where the word comes from, how to use it, and a few other Costa Rican words you’ll hear alongside it.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tico | A Costa Rican man, or Costa Rican in general |
| Tica | A Costa Rican woman |
| Ticos | Costa Ricans, as a group |
| Costarricense | The formal word for Costa Rican, used on documents and in news |
| Tiquicia | An affectionate nickname for Costa Rica itself |
| Hora tica | “Tico time,” the relaxed approach to punctuality |
Origin
Where Does the Word “Tico” Come From?
Spanish speakers make words smaller or more affectionate by adding a diminutive ending. Most of Latin America uses -ito: gatito (little cat), poquito (a little bit). Costa Ricans often use -ico instead, especially after a “t” sound: gatico, poquitico, ratico (a little while). The ending isn’t unique to Costa Rica. It’s also heard in parts of South America, the Caribbean and the Spanish regions of Aragón and Navarra. But it’s so common in Costa Rica that it became the country’s nickname.
The 1856 war theory
Nobody knows exactly when “Tico” caught on. The most widely repeated explanation dates it to the 1856–57 National Campaign, when Costa Rica and its Central American neighbors fought the American filibuster William Walker, who had seized power in Nicaragua. Soldiers from other countries reportedly noticed that Costa Rican troops called each other hermaniticos (little brothers) and started calling them “Ticos.” It’s a good story, but it’s a theory, not a documented fact.
That war is also where Costa Rica’s national hero comes from. Read about Juan Santamaría, the drummer boy who died at the Battle of Rivas in 1856.
“Tiquicia” and other spin-offs
Costa Ricans built more words on top of “Tico.” Tiquicia is an affectionate name for the country, and fans chant “¡Vamos, Ticos!” at soccer games. You’ll also see “tico” used as an adjective for anything typically Costa Rican, as in comida tica (Costa Rican food) or hora tica (Tico time).
Usage
Is It OK for Foreigners to Say “Tico”?
Yes. Costa Ricans call themselves Ticos and Ticas with pride, in casual talk, on TV, in ads and at sports events. Visitors who use the word sound friendly, not rude. A few pointers:
- Match the gender: Tico for a man, Tica for a woman, Ticos for a mixed group.
- Use “costarricense” in formal writing, such as official letters or legal documents.
- Don’t call a Nicaraguan or Panamanian a Tico. The word means Costa Rican only.
- Capitalize it in English (Tico, Tica). In Spanish, it’s usually lowercase, like other nationality words.
Neighbors
Nicknames for Other Central Americans
Costa Rica isn’t the only country in the region with a popular nickname. If you’re traveling across Central America, you’ll hear these:
- Nica: a Nicaraguan, short for nicaragüense.
- Catracho: a Honduran, from General Florencio Xatruch, who led Honduran troops in the same war against Walker.
- Chapín: a Guatemalan, from a type of platform shoe worn in colonial times.
- Guanaco: a Salvadoran. Its origin is disputed, and not every Salvadoran likes it.
Vocabulary
Other Costa Rican Words You’ll Hear
“Tico” usually comes with a few other local expressions. These are the ones visitors hear most:
- Pura vida: literally “pure life.” It’s used as hello, goodbye, thanks and “all good.” See what pura vida actually means.
- Mae: “dude” or “man,” used constantly in casual speech, especially by younger Ticos.
- Tuanis: cool or great.
- Diay: a filler word that starts many sentences, roughly “well” or “so.”
- ¡Upe!: what you call out at a house to see if anyone’s home, since many homes don’t have doorbells.
- Hora tica: Tico time. Social plans run late, but tours and flights don’t. Our guide to Costa Rica time explains the difference.
Want to go further? See our guide to the best ways to learn Spanish in Costa Rica.
Culture
What Being Tico Means to Costa Ricans
The word carries a sense of national identity built on a few things Costa Ricans are proud of: a long democratic tradition, a country without an army since 1948, strong conservation and a down-to-earth, friendly manner. Food is part of it too. A common saying for something truly Costa Rican is más tico que el gallo pinto, “more Tico than gallo pinto.” Our guides to gallo pinto and Costa Rican food explain why.
Costa Rican culture isn’t one single thing, though. The Caribbean coast has its own Afro-Caribbean traditions and English-based Creole, and Guanacaste has a strong cowboy and folk culture. Read more about Afro-Caribbean culture and Guanacaste’s culture and history.
Good to know
Tico Meaning FAQ
What does Tico mean in Costa Rica?
Tico means Costa Rican. It’s the everyday word Costa Ricans use for themselves. A woman is a Tica, and the plural is Ticos.
Why are Costa Ricans called Ticos?
Because Costa Ricans often use the diminutive ending -ico instead of -ito, as in chiquitico or momentico. A popular but unproven theory says soldiers from other countries started using the nickname during the 1856–57 war against William Walker.
Is “Tico” offensive?
No. Costa Ricans use it proudly, and it’s fine for visitors to use it too. In formal writing, use costarricense.
What is a Tica?
A Costa Rican woman. Tica is also the feminine adjective, as in comida tica, Costa Rican food.
What is Tiquicia?
An affectionate nickname for Costa Rica, built from the word Tico.
What do Costa Ricans call Nicaraguans?
Nicas, short for nicaragüenses.
The short version
Tico means Costa Rican, and Tica means a Costa Rican woman. The word comes from the local habit of saying -ico instead of -ito.
It’s a proud, friendly term, and visitors can use it freely. Pair it with “pura vida” and you’ll fit right in.