The single most useful word you can learn. In standard Spanish you say buenos días, buenas tardes, or buenas noches depending on the time. In Costa Rica, buenas alone covers all three — morning, afternoon, and night. Walk into any shop, office, home, or bus and say it first. It signals warmth and respect instantly.

Literally “how did you wake up?” — this is the classic Costa Rican morning greeting, used especially by older generations. It is warmer and more personal than a simple “good morning.” If someone asks you this, the standard reply is bien, gracias, ¿y usted? — or simply pura vida.

In most of Latin America, de nada is how you say “you’re welcome.” In Costa Rica, con mucho gusto — “with great pleasure” — is the standard response to any expression of thanks. It is not a formality. It reflects something genuinely characteristic about Tico culture: hospitality as identity, not performance.

One of the most expressive reactions in Tico Spanish. Chiva literally means “goat” — but as slang it means something is cool, exciting, or impressive. ¡Qué chiva! is the Costa Rican equivalent of “how awesome!” or “that’s so cool!” Use it when someone shows you something impressive and watch their face light up.

In Mexico, torta is a sandwich. In Costa Rica, it is a disaster. ¡Qué torta! expresses that something went badly wrong — a plan fell apart, a situation became complicated, or someone made a serious mistake. The tone can range from mild exasperation to genuine alarm.

Pereza literally means laziness or sloth. As an exclamation, ¡qué pereza! expresses that something is tedious, boring, or too much effort. It is used constantly in everyday conversation — particularly in the context of tasks, obligations, or bad weather. The three-toed sloth, Costa Rica’s most famous animal, is called un perezoso — the lazy one.

Pacho is used to mean something funny, ridiculous, or absurd in an amusing way. ¡Qué Pacho! is what you say when something makes you laugh — a funny situation, a joke, or an absurd coincidence. It is warm and affectionate, never mean-spirited.

Literally “good note,” buena nota describes someone who is kind, trustworthy, and genuinely good-hearted. It is one of the highest compliments you can give a person in Costa Rica — more about character than skill or status. If someone calls you buena nota, you have earned real respect.

In standard Spanish, mañoso usually means crafty or cunning. In Costa Rica it often describes someone who is difficult, fussy, or particular about things — especially food. A child who refuses to eat vegetables is mañoso. It can also mean someone who is a bit sly or tricky, depending on context and tone.

Someone who is sobrado is full of themselves — arrogant, overconfident, or smug. It carries clear disapproval. Costa Rican culture values humility and warmth highly, so being called sobrado is a real social criticism. You will hear it used frequently in conversation about celebrities, politicians, and that one person everyone knows.

Brete is the Tico word for work or a job. While the standard Spanish trabajo is perfectly understood, almost no Costa Rican uses it in casual speech. Tengo brete means “I have work.” ¿Cómo va el brete? means “how is work going?” If you are talking to a Tico about their job, use this word.

Jama is the informal word for food or a meal. Jamar is the verb — to eat. Both are used constantly in everyday conversation. You will hear vamos a jamar (let’s go eat) far more often than vamos a comer among young Ticos and in casual settings.

Literally “to be of rubber,” estar de goma means to be hungover. It is one of the most frequently used slang expressions in Costa Rica and one that will consistently delight locals when you use it correctly. The mental image of feeling like a rubber band stretched to its limit is, frankly, perfect.

Traffic in San José is legendary — and presas is the word everyone uses for it. Literally “dams” or “catches,” the word perfectly captures the feeling of being stuck and unable to move. Hay presas — “there is traffic” — is one of the most commonly spoken sentences in Costa Rica, particularly in the capital.

Literally “put in the batteries.” This expression means to get motivated, step up, or stop being lazy. It can be encouraging — a friend cheering you on — or it can be a mild scolding. Either way, the image is vivid: you are low on energy and need to recharge before you can function.

Literally “to throw the story.” In practice, echar el cuento means to chat casually with someone — though it can also carry a romantic connotation, meaning to flirt or make a move. Context and tone make the difference. Either way, it captures a very Costa Rican ideal: conversation as pleasure, not transaction.

In standard Spanish, jalar means to pull. In Costa Rica it means to go somewhere or head out. Vamos jalando means “let’s get going.” It is one of those words that appears constantly in casual conversation and immediately signals that the speaker has spent real time in the country.