Tico TalkOpen the app Spanish Phrases for Costa Rica Travel
In hotels and on tours you can get by in English. The bus driver, the soda where you eat lunch and the pulpería on the corner run in Spanish, and a few phrases change how people treat you: Ticos light up when a visitor tries.
These are the lines you will actually use, grouped by situation, written the way Costa Ricans say them.
Hear it: tap any underlined word or speaker to hear it in a Costa Rican voice. Press and hold to say it yourself and get a score.
Courtesy, the Tico way
Ticos are polite and warm. These words do most of the work, from saying thanks to saying goodbye.
- Thanks, you're welcome, hello, goodbye, or everything is fine.
- You're welcome — Ticos say this, not 'de nada'.
- At your service / happy to help, especially in shops and service work.
- Take care / all the best (said on parting).
- All good; greeting, reassurance, or a way to end a small disagreement.
- Whenever you like; a polite service or invitation phrase.
- A moment / a little bit: espere un toque.
- Right now, soon, or later today; its timing is intentionally flexible.
- Let me know; common in work, service, and plans.
- Fortunately / luckily.
Keep the conversation going
When you get lost mid-conversation. With strangers, Ticos use usted, so ¿Me lo puede repetir? sounds more natural than ¿Me lo puedes repetir?
No le entendí.
I didn’t catch that.
¿Cómo?
Sorry? / Pardon?
The polite way to ask someone to say it again. A bare ¿qué? can sound abrupt.
¿Me lo puede repetir, por favor?
Could you repeat that, please?
Más despacio, por favor.
Slower, please.
¿Qué significa ___?
What does ___ mean?
¿Cómo se dice ___ en español?
How do you say ___ in Spanish?
¿Cómo se escribe?
How is it spelled?
¿Me lo puede escribir?
Could you write it down for me?
¿Me lo puede explicar otra vez?
Could you explain it again?
Estoy aprendiendo español.
I’m learning Spanish.
Hablo un poquito de español.
I speak a little Spanish.
¿Así se dice?
Is that how you say it?
Corríjame, por favor.
Please correct me.
Perdón, no sé.
Sorry, I don’t know.
Un momentico, déjeme pensar.
One moment, let me think.
Getting around: buses, taxis and directions
Directions, rides, traffic, buses, taxis, and getting around Costa Rica.
Useful lines
- — It’s one block south of the church.
- — Turn right.
- — Where does the bus go?
- — Can you drop me here?
- — Can you take me to the airport?
- — There’s a lot of traffic.
- — I’m almost there.
- — I can’t find the address.
- — Fill it up, please.
Words
- — bus stop
- — minibus
- — fare
- — taxi meter (Tico)
- — car
- — traffic jam (Tico)
- — highway
- — toll
- — traffic light
- — roundabout
- — sidewalk
- — gas station (Tico)
In Costa Rica: Addresses are given from landmarks: de la iglesia, doscientos metros al este (cien metros is one block). Official taxis are red with a yellow triangle; ask for la maría, the meter. At the gas station an attendant fills the tank for you.
Markets, pulperías and paying
Finding products, weighing produce, comparing prices, and paying.
Useful lines
- — Where is the rice?
- — Can you weigh it?
- — Half a kilo of tomatoes, please.
- — Do you have ripe avocados?
- — How much per pound?
- — Do you take cards?
- — Can I have a small bag?
- — Do you have change for ten thousand?
Words
- — aisle
- — cart
- — checkout
- — bag
- — farmers’ market
- — corner shop
- — on credit
- — change
- — special offer
- — kilo
- — butcher
- — receipt
In Costa Rica: Fruit and vegetables are cheapest and freshest at the feria del agricultor, the weekly farmers’ market. At a pulpería, you ask for things at the counter, and regulars can buy fiado (on credit).
Sodas and restaurants
Sodas and restaurants: ordering, special requests, and the bill.
Useful lines
- — Could I have the menu, please?
- — What’s today’s special?
- — I’ll have a casado with fish.
- — Is the fruit drink made with water or milk?
- — Could you bring me another napkin?
- — Can we pay separately?
- — Could you pack it up to take away?
- — Everything was really good, thanks.
Words
- — small local diner
- — lunch plate
- — daily special
- — fresh fruit drink
- — starter
- — dessert
- — server
- — napkin
- — bill
- — service charge
- — tip
- — to go
In Costa Rica: Menus often show prices before the 13% tax and the 10% service charge, which the bill adds. The service charge is the tip; leaving more is kind, not expected.
At the clinic or pharmacy
Making an appointment, saying what’s wrong, and getting medicine.
Useful lines
- — I’d like to make an appointment.
- — I’ve felt very sick since yesterday.
- — My throat hurts.
- — I’ve got a cold.
- — Do you have something for a cough?
- — How often do I take it?
- — Do I need a prescription?
- — Can you give me a sick note?
- — Get well soon.
Words
- — appointment
- — local public clinic
- — public health system
- — doctor
- — pharmacy
- — prescription
- — pill
- — syrup
- — fever
- — cough
- — cold, flu
- — blood pressure
In Costa Rica: The public health system is la Caja (the CCSS) and your local clinic is the EBAIS. Pharmacists are used to advising on small problems, so just describe what you have.
Beaches, rivers and nature
Swimming safely, tides, trails, waterfalls and wildlife.
Useful lines
- — Is it safe to swim here?
- — Is there a current?
- — What time does the tide come in?
- — Don’t go in, there’s a red flag.
- — Where does the trail start?
- — How long does it take on foot?
- — Look, a sloth!
- — Don’t feed the monkeys.
Words
- — beach
- — tide
- — waves
- — current
- — lifeguard; life jacket
- — sunscreen
- — trail
- — waterfall
- — volcano
- — monkey
- — sloth
- — snake
In Costa Rica: Rip currents are common on both coasts and many beaches have no lifeguard. If a current pulls you out, don’t fight it: swim parallel to the shore, then back in.
Emergencies
Staying calm, describing danger, getting help, and earthquakes.
Useful lines
- — Call emergency services!
- — Stay calm.
- — Don’t come closer.
- — Is anyone hurt?
- — We need an ambulance.
- — It’s an earthquake!
- — The exit is this way.
- — Where is the meeting point?
Words
- — emergency
- — danger
- — exit
- — firefighters
- — ambulance
- — Red Cross
- — police
- — injured person
- — smoke
- — fire
- — earth tremor
- — first-aid kit
In Costa Rica: 911 covers police, ambulances (mostly run by the Cruz Roja) and firefighters. Earth tremors (temblores) are common: during one, keep away from windows and take cover until it stops.
Staying longer? The app has phrasebooks for 18 everyday situations, from renting and the bank to the rainy season, field guides for 21 kinds of work, from construction to the finca, and every verb conjugated with vos and usted. Learn the slang you will hear on the street in the Costa Rican slang guide.