By international standards, Costa Rica is often classified as a third world or developing country. Yet for many visitors, this label feels inaccurate the moment they arrive. Unlike many other developing nations, Costa Rica does not present vast cardboard shanty towns dominating the urban landscape. The people are generally well dressed, public spaces are relatively clean, and homelessness and extreme poverty are far less visible than in many other parts of Latin America. This first impression often surprises travelers and sets the stage for a deeper curiosity about who Costa Ricans are, where they come from, and what shapes their national character.
To understand Costa Rica today, one must look at both its ethnic makeup and its historical development, as these two elements are closely intertwined.
The Character of the Costa Rican People
Costa Ricans—often called Ticos—are widely known for being democratic, peaceful, benevolent, and friendly. Their society is rooted in long-standing traditions of democracy and civil order, reinforced by the abolition of the military in 1948. Violence and aggression are not celebrated traits; in fact, Costa Ricans are generally non-aggressive and conflict-averse.
They are polite, well-mannered, and genuinely helpful. If you ask for directions, expect not only an answer but often a friendly conversation to follow. However, foreigners—especially those from Anglo-Saxon cultures—sometimes find communication subtly challenging. Costa Ricans tend to avoid confrontation, and rather than directly disagreeing, they may agree outwardly even when they do not truly agree internally. This trait can be confusing for newcomers but is deeply rooted in the cultural value of maintaining harmony and avoiding discomfort.
Similarly, answers to questions are not always direct. A Costa Rican may circle around an answer rather than providing a blunt “yes” or “no.” This indirect communication style reflects politeness rather than dishonesty, but it takes time to understand and appreciate.
Family and Small-Town Life
One of the strongest pillars of Costa Rican society is the family unit. Family comes first—above career ambitions, wealth, or personal advancement. This is especially evident in small towns and rural areas, where there is a strong sense of community connectedness.
Neighbors know one another, look out for each other, and offer help when needed. It is common to see extended families living close together, sometimes within the same enclosed compound. Parents may build homes for their children on the same piece of land, creating multi-generational households surrounded by tall concrete walls for privacy and security.
At heart, the Costa Rican is fundamentally a campesino—a person of the land. Even those who live in cities often feel a deep emotional connection to rural life, agriculture, and nature. In contrast, life in larger cities such as San José feels faster and more stressful, mirroring big-city life around the world. Urban Costa Ricans tend to live more independently, with less daily interaction with neighbors.
Welcoming Foreigners
Costa Rica has long been known for its openness to foreigners. The government actively encourages immigration through tax incentives, business opportunities, and residency programs for retirees. Foreigners are welcome to start businesses, invest, work in certain industries, or retire and enjoy the country’s remarkable natural beauty.
This openness has shaped Costa Rica into a culturally diverse nation while maintaining a strong national identity.
North American Cultural Influence
North American culture has had a significant influence on Costa Rica, particularly since the mid-20th century. Costa Rican children grow up watching Hollywood movies and television programs, listening to U.S. pop music, and following American fashion trends. Many Costa Ricans can name U.S. actors, musicians, and politicians with ease.
This influence is most visible among younger generations, whose clothing styles, music preferences, and even slang often mirror trends from the United States. Despite this, Costa Rica has retained its own cultural core—balancing foreign influence with local traditions.
A Complex Ethnic Makeup
Costa Rica’s ethnic composition is more complex than it appears at first glance. When Christopher Columbus arrived in 1502, during his fourth voyage to the New World, he encountered indigenous tribes living throughout the region. These indigenous peoples traded with Columbus and wore gold ornaments, leading to stories of abundant gold—stories that ultimately proved misleading.
As Spanish settlers arrived, some intermarried with indigenous populations, creating a mestizo or “mixed-blood” population. Others remained segregated, marrying only among fellow Spaniards. As a result, modern Costa Rica includes people with very fair skin and blue eyes, as well as those with olive skin, dark hair, and dark eyes.
The Tragic Decline of Indigenous Peoples
Costa Rica’s indigenous population suffered greatly under Spanish colonization. Attempts were made to enslave them, leading to revolts and violent repression. Many indigenous people died from European diseases such as smallpox and influenza, to which they had no immunity.
By 1506, Spanish expeditions were capturing indigenous people and shipping them as slaves to Hispaniola (modern-day Dominican Republic). Others fled into the mountains, particularly the remote Talamanca region, where small indigenous communities still live today, largely isolated from modern society.
Historians estimate that around 60,000 indigenous people lived in Costa Rica at the time of Columbus’s arrival. Within a century, only a small fraction remained.
A Colony Without Great Wealth
Unlike Mexico or Peru, Costa Rica did not become a rich jewel of the Spanish Empire. There was little gold, and the land was difficult to tame. Early settlers faced oppressive conditions: dense forests, swamps, floods, raging rivers, mountainous terrain, tropical diseases, and food shortages.
Because there was no great wealth and few indigenous laborers left, Spanish settlers were forced to work the land themselves. This created a society of small independent farmers rather than powerful landowners. Historians believe this period shaped Costa Rica’s deeply ingrained values of independence, equality, and democracy. Unlike many Latin American countries, Costa Rica did not develop a rigid class system of rich elites and impoverished masses—at least not initially.
Distinct Regional Populations
Certain regions of Costa Rica have distinct ethnic characteristics:
Atlantic Coast (Limón Province)
The Caribbean coast is home to a large population of African descent, primarily from Jamaica and other West Indian islands. These communities arrived to work on cacao and banana plantations and to build the railroad from San José to Limón. Many speak both English and Spanish, and their Afro-Caribbean culture strongly influences the region’s music, food, and traditions.
Guanacaste (Northern Costa Rica)
Guanacaste was once part of Nicaragua, and its people reflect this heritage. They often have darker skin, shorter stature, and accents and customs similar to their Nicaraguan neighbors.
Chinese Community
Chinese immigrants came to Costa Rica in the 19th century to help build the railroad. Many settled permanently, married Costa Ricans, and opened small family businesses. Today, Chinese-Costa Rican communities are particularly visible in Limón and San José.
Italian Community
Italian immigrants also arrived to work on the railroad and later settled, particularly in San Vito, in southern Costa Rica.
Immigration and Economic Change
During the second half of the 19th century, Costa Rica experienced a wave of immigration attracted by the booming coffee industry. German and English settlers established import-export businesses, while Lebanese, Turkish, and Polish Jewish immigrants became influential merchants.
Coffee transformed Costa Rica both economically and socially. By the mid-1800s, coffee barons emerged, forming a new oligarchy. Wealthy plantation owners built grand homes and sent their children to Europe for education, adopting European manners and tastes.
This European influence is still visible today in Costa Rica’s architecture. The National Theatre in San José, modeled after the Paris Opera House, stands as the finest example. Built around the turn of the 20th century, it hosts opera, ballet, classical music, and modern concerts. Beautiful European-style churches are scattered throughout the country.
Modern Immigration and Retirees
Since the 1960s, Costa Rican laws favoring North American and European retirees have encouraged thousands to settle in the country. Many choose the Central Valley and nearby towns for their mild climate and relaxed lifestyle.
Some open businesses; others retire peacefully, enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables, unspoiled beaches, and the slower rhythm of life. Many take Spanish lessons and immerse themselves in the culture. For them, time is not something to race against—it is something to savor, one day at a time.
Conclusion
The ethnic makeup and character of the Costa Rican people are the result of centuries of struggle, cooperation, hardship, and openness. From indigenous roots and Spanish settlers to African, Asian, and European influences, Costa Rica has developed into a uniquely diverse yet cohesive society.
Above all, Costa Ricans value peace, family, democracy, and community. These values, shaped by history and reinforced by daily life, make Costa Rica not only a beautiful place to visit—but a deeply human place to understand.