| When visiting Costa Rica, you may overhear locals | | | | or similar words. |
| using Spanish words which you may have never | | | | 5. Mae: (My) Usually translated as "buddy" or |
| heard in other Spanish countries. Common words | | | | "man," this word is often used to start or end |
| such as "pulperia," "Tico" and "pura vida" may | | | | sentences. "¡Pura Vida Mae!" |
| confuse people who are learning Spanish and even | | | | 6. Pura Vida: (Poo-ra Vee-da) As Costa Rica's |
| some native Spanish speaking people. For those | | | | official slogan, tourists may hear this term very |
| needing a good explanation, I have compiled a list | | | | often. Directly translated it means "pure life," |
| of the top 9 Costa Rican slang words to help you | | | | although Costa Ricans use it in a plethora of |
| on your visit. | | | | different contexts. For example, locals use it to |
| 1. Pulperia: (Pool-pa-ree-a) A Pulperia is a small | | | | replace the word goodbye, you're welcome, and |
| corner store, usually family run which sells basic | | | | thank you. It is also a common response to many |
| food items and occasionally items one would | | | | questions (for example "how are you?" or "how |
| expect to find at a bazaar. There are thousands | | | | was your day?") and it translates to "awesome" |
| across the country, and they are in close | | | | or "great." |
| proximity to all major tourist areas, cities, small | | | | 7. Rojo: (Ro-ho) A rojo in Costa Rica is another |
| towns and even in most rural areas. | | | | word for a 1000 colones bill. Rojo (meaning red) is |
| 2. Tico/Tica: (Tee-ko, Tee-ka) A Tico or Tica is | | | | the color of the bill, hence the name. If you are at |
| another name for a Costa Rican born male of | | | | the pulperia and they tell you the cost of your |
| female (respectively). This term is ONLY used to | | | | items is "dos rojos," your cost is 2000 colones. |
| refer to a person born in Costa Rica, not Spanish | | | | 8. Teja: (Te-ha) A teja is a 100 colones coin. For |
| countries in general. | | | | example if you purchase an ice cream at the |
| 3. Tuanis: (Twan-ees) A slang word for "cool" or | | | | pulperia and the cost is "tres tejas," you need to |
| "neat," Costa Ricans use this word quite often | | | | give them three hundred colones. |
| without realizing it. | | | | 9. Toucan: (Two-can) A 5,000 colones bill is also |
| 4. Que Chiva: (Kay-Chee-Ba) Similar to "tuanis," | | | | called a "tucan" as there is a picture of a toucan |
| "que chiva" is used as a slang word for "how cool" | | | | on the bill. |