World Factbook
Costa Rica
República de Costa Rica
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
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: somewhat resembles the flag of North Korea; similar to the flag of Thailand, but with the blue and red colors reversed
Capital
name
San José
etymology
Spanish settlers originally named the city Villa Nueva in 1736; it was later renamed for Saint Joseph
time difference
UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
9 56 N, 84 05 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
7 years
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
Country name
etymology
the name means "rich coast" in Spanish; Christopher COLUMBUS named it in 1502, referring to the region's abundant vegetation and water
local long form
República de Costa Rica
local short form
Costa Rica
conventional long form
Republic of Costa Rica
conventional short form
Costa Rica
Independence
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
Legal system
civil law system based on Spanish civil code; Supreme Court reviews legislative acts
Government type
presidential republic
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)
subordinate courts
appellate courts; trial courts; first instance and justice of the peace courts; Superior Electoral Tribunal
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
Executive branch
note
note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
cabinet
Cabinet selected by the president
chief of state
President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 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%
head of government
President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022)
most recent election date
6 February 2022, with a runoff on 3 April 2022
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)
expected date of next election
1 February 2026 (a runoff, if needed, will take place in April 2026)
National holiday
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
National color(s)
blue, white, red
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)
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
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
57 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
2/6/2022
expected date of next election
February 2026
percentage of women in chamber
49.1%
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)
National anthem(s)
title
"Himno Nacional de Costa Rica" (National Anthem of Costa Rica)
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
lyrics/music
Jose Maria ZELEDON Brenes/Manuel Maria GUTIERREZ
National symbol(s)
yiguirro (clay-colored thrush)
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
Administrative divisions
7 provinces ( provincias , singular - provincia ); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 265-4795
chancery
2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 499-2980
chief of mission
Ambassador Catalina CRESPO SANCHO (since 19 April 2023)
consulate(s) general
Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington DC
email address and website
embcr-us@rree.go.cr https://www.embassycr.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[506] 2519-2305
embassy
Calle 98 Via 104, Pavas, San Jose
telephone
[506] 2519-2000
mailing address
3180 St. George's Place, Washington DC 20521-3180
chief of mission
Ambassador-designate Melinda HILDEBRAND (since 3 December 2025); Chargé d’Affaires Jennifer SAVAGE (since August 2025)
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
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction