Can I go to Costa Rica if I only speak English?

While Spanish is the principal language spoken in Costa Rica, it is relatively easy to travel around the country using English.



You can absolutely enjoy a successful trip to Costa Rica speaking only English, especially if you stick to the "Gringo Trail" or major tourist hubs. In 2026, Costa Rica remains one of the most English-proficient countries in Latin America, particularly in areas like San José, Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, and La Fortuna. Most hotel staff, tour operators, and restaurant servers in these regions speak excellent English. However, it is a high-value peer tip to know that once you head "off the beaten path" to rural villages or local markets, English proficiency drops significantly. While you can "get by" with gestures and translation apps, learning the "3 G's"—Greetings, Gestures, and Gratitude (like Pura Vida and Gracias)—goes a long way in showing respect to the locals. For a low-stress experience, booking private transfers and staying in mid-to-high-end resorts ensures that language will never be a barrier to experiencing the country's stunning biodiversity and "Pura Vida" lifestyle.

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While Spanish is the principal language spoken in Costa Rica, it is relatively easy to travel around the country using English.

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Costa Rica is considered to be safer than Mexico, with lower crime rates and political stability. Mexico, unfortunately, still gets a lot of violence due to drug cartels. However with that being said, it is still a safe place, you just have to be a little bit more cautious.

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You're probably wondering how safe IS travel to Costa Rica right now? At this point in time, traveling in general is not recommended by the CDC, because, you know, #pandemic. Because of that, we can't explicitly recommend that you go ahead and travel during a pandemic.

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Pura vida — Hello/Goodbye/Thank you/You're welcome (lit. “pure life”) You'll hear pura vida used as a greeting, a goodbye or a way to say “thank you” or “you're welcome.” It's basically like the Costa Rican “aloha.” It's a positive phrase about seizing the moment and enjoying life.

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Hola = Hello. This is the basic way to say hello. Buenas = Shorthand way of saying hello, any time of day. It is more casual and works in the morning, afternoon, or evening.

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CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Costa Rica take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip.

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Tourism in Costa Rica causes problems with in the habitats of animals and plants living there. Because of tourism half of Costa Rica's monkey population is gone. And rain forests are growing smaller.

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FAQ on Mexico vs Costa Rica Although some places in Mexico are getting more expensive (Cancun and Tulum), generally speaking, it is much easier to travel Mexico on a budget. Is Mexico or Costa Rica safer? Costa Rica is considered to be safer than Mexico, with lower crime rates and political stability.

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  • Violent crime, including carjackings and 'express kidnappings', is increasingly common in Costa Rica. Criminals often target tourist areas, resorts, transport hubs and public transport. ...
  • Petty crime is common. ...
  • Credit card fraud is a risk. ...
  • Nationwide strikes and roadblocks have occurred.


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The major Mexican and Colombian trafficking organizations have little presence in Costa Rica. But for years, local criminals have provided logistical support, such as gasoline and motorboats, for the big cartels that move cocaine from Colombia to the United States and Europe.

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