Costa Rica

American  

[kos-tuh ree-kuh, kaw-stuh, koh-, kaws-tah ree-kah] / ˈkɒs tə ˈri kə, ˈkɔ stə, ˈkoʊ-, ˈkɔs tɑ ˈri kɑ /

noun

1. a republic in Central America, between Panama and Nicaragua. 19,238 sq. mi. (49,825 sq. km). San José.

---

Costa Rica British  

/ ˈkɒstə ˈriːkə /

noun

1. a republic in Central America: gained independence from Spain in 1821; mostly mountainous and volcanic, with extensive forests. Official language: Spanish. Official religion: Roman Catholic. Currency: colón. Capital: San José. Pop: 4 695 942 (2013 est). Area: 50 900 sq km (19 652 sq miles)

---

Costa Rica Cultural  

1. Republic in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, Panama to the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the south and west. Its capital and largest city is San José.

---

Discover More

One of the most politically stable countries of Latin America; Costa Rica is traditionally very democratic. It has a literacy rate of over ninety percent.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Costa Rican
  noun

Example Sentences

After losing its first game to Costa Rica, the U.S. couldn’t afford to lose again — and it didn’t.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026

He intimated he has "14-15" players in mind to start the game but will use the matches versus New Zealand and Costa Rica to decide his first tournament team.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

Ligon grew up in Ethel and spent summers during college rehabilitating wildlife in Costa Rica and Louisiana.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

She added that she had last seen a new octopus in 2023, off the coast of Costa Rica.

From Barron's • May 25, 2026

I promised to go over to sit with Sam while she packs for her trip to Costa Rica.

From "Piecing Me Together" by Renée Watson