Country Details

Costa Rica

Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama

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Government

Detailed information and insights

Country name

Conventional long form

Republic of Costa Rica

Conventional short form

Costa Rica

Local long form

República de Costa Rica

Local short form

Costa Rica

Etymology

the name means "rich coast" in Spanish; Christopher COLUMBUS named it in 1502, referring to the region's abundant vegetation and water

Government type

presidential republic

Capital

Name

San José

Geographic coordinates

9 56 N, 84 05 W

Time difference

UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Etymology

Spanish settlers originally named the city Villa Nueva in 1736; it was later renamed for Saint Joseph

Administrative divisions

7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose

Legal system

civil law system based on Spanish civil code; Supreme Court reviews legislative acts

Constitution

History

many previous; latest effective 8 November 1949

Amendment process

proposals require the signatures of at least 10 Legislative Assembly members or petition of at least 5% of qualified voters; consideration of proposals requires two-thirds majority approval in each of three readings by the Assembly, followed by preparation of the proposal as a legislative bill and its approval by simple majority of the Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership; a referendum is required only if approved by at least two thirds of the Assembly

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

Citizenship by birth

yes

Citizenship by descent only

yes

Dual citizenship recognized

yes

Residency requirement for naturalization

7 years

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch

Chief of state

President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022)

Head of government

President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022)

Cabinet

Cabinet selected by the president

Election/appointment process

president and vice presidents directly elected on the same ballot by modified majority popular vote (40% threshold) for a 4-year term (eligible for non-consecutive terms)

Most recent election date

6 February 2022, with a runoff on 3 April 2022

Election results


2022: Rodrigo CHAVES Robles elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jose Maria FIGUERES Olsen (PLN) 27.3%, Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (PPSD) 16.8%, Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PNR) 14.9%, Eliecer FEINZAIG Mintz (PLP) 12.4%, Lineth SABORIO Chaverri (PUSC) 12.4%, Jose Maria VILLALTA Florez-Estrada 8.7% (PFA), other 7.5%; percent of vote in second round - Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (PPSD) 52.8%, Jose Maria FIGUERES Olsen (PLN) 47.2%

2018: Carlos ALVARADO Quesada elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PRN) 25%; Carlos ALVARADO Quesada (PAC) 21.6%; Antonio ALVAREZ (PLN) 18.6%; Rodolfo PIZA (PUSC) 16%; Juan Diego CASTRO (PIN) 9.5%; Rodolfo HERNANDEZ (PRSC) 4.9%, other 4.4%; percent of vote in second round - Carlos ALVARADO Quesada (PAC) 60.7%; Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PRN) 39.3%

Expected date of next election

1 February 2026 (a runoff, if needed, will take place in April 2026)

Legislative branch

Legislature name

Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa)

Legislative structure

unicameral

Number of seats

57 (all directly elected)

Electoral system

proportional representation

Scope of elections

full renewal

Term in office

4 years

Most recent election date

2/6/2022

Parties elected and seats per party

National Liberation Party (PLN) (19); Democratic Social Progress Party (PPSD) (10); Christian Social Unity Party (USC) (9); New Republic Party (NR) (7); Broad Front (FA) (6); Progressive Liberal Party (LP) (6)

Percentage of women in chamber

49.1%

Expected date of next election

February 2026

Judicial branch

Highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 22 judges organized into 3 cassation chambers each with 5 judges and the Constitutional Chamber with 7 judges)

Judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court of Justice judges elected by the National Assembly for 8-year terms with renewal decided by the National Assembly

Subordinate courts

appellate courts; trial courts; first instance and justice of the peace courts; Superior Electoral Tribunal

Political parties

Accessibility Without Exclusion or PASE
Broad Front (Frente Amplio) or PFA
Citizen Action Party or PAC
Costa Rican Renewal Party or PRC
Here Costa Rica Commands Party or ACRM
Liberal Progressive Party or PLP
Libertarian Movement Party or ML
National Integration Party or PIN
National Liberation Party or PLN
National Restoration Party or PRN
New Generation or PNG
New Republic Party or PNR
Social Christian Republican Party or PRSC
Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC of UNIDAD
Social Democratic Progress Party or PPSD

Diplomatic representation in the US

Chief of mission

Ambassador Catalina CRESPO SANCHO (since 19 April 2023)

Chancery

2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

Telephone

[1] (202) 499-2980

FAX

[1] (202) 265-4795

Email address and website


embcr-us@rree.go.cr
https://www.embassycr.org/

Consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington DC

Diplomatic representation from the US

Chief of mission

Ambassador-designate Melinda HILDEBRAND (since 3 December 2025); Chargé d’Affaires Jennifer SAVAGE (since August 2025)

Embassy

Calle 98 Via 104, Pavas, San Jose

Mailing address

3180 St. George's Place, Washington DC  20521-3180

Telephone

[506] 2519-2000

FAX

[506] 2519-2305

Email address and website


acssanjose@state.gov

https://cr.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

ACS, BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OIF (observer), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Flag

description: five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double-width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk placed toward the left side of the red band

meaning: the blue is said to stand for the sky, opportunity, and perseverance; the white for peace, happiness, and wisdom; and the red for the blood shed for freedom, as well as Costa Ricans' generosity and vibrancy

history: Costa Rica retained the earlier blue-white-blue flag of Central America until 1848 when, in response to revolutions in Europe, it was decided to incorporate the French colors by adding a central red stripe

Note

note: somewhat resembles the flag of North Korea; similar to the flag of Thailand, but with the blue and red colors reversed

National symbol(s)

yiguirro (clay-colored thrush)

National color(s)

blue, white, red

National coat of arms

the Costa Rican coat of arms highlights the country’s natural beauty and history; three volcanoes, each topped with a white cloud, are surrounded with water, symbolizing the seaports of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans; the rising sun in the background stands for the birth of a new nation, and the seven white stars for the country's provinces; the two merchant ships carrying Costa Rica’s flag are a reminder of the maritime trade that shaped the country's history

National anthem(s)

Title

"Himno Nacional de Costa Rica" (National Anthem of Costa Rica)

Lyrics/music

Jose Maria ZELEDON Brenes/Manuel Maria GUTIERREZ

History

adopted 1949; the music was originally written for a welcome ceremony in 1852 for the US and UK diplomatic missions; the lyrics were added in 1900

National heritage

Total World Heritage Sites

4 (1 cultural, 3 natural)

Selected World Heritage Site locales

Guanacaste Conservation Area (n); Cocos Island National Park (n); Precolumbian Stone Spheres (c); La Amistad International Park (n)