Extremely friendly, full of hospitality, love to dance and jump at any opportunity to celebrate. Family-oriented, peaceful and fun loving. Combined with its amazing natural beauty, diverse landscape and unlimited fun, it's the Costa Rican people and blending culture that makes Costa Rica a perfect vacation destination.

Because of an overwhelming European influence, over 90% of Costa Rica is white or "Mestizo" (mixture) of Spanish heritage stemming from the Columbus explorations and Spanish conquests of the early 1500s. Unlike its Caribbean neighbors, less than 3% of the Cost Rican population is black with most living in the province of Limón. Their ancestry is traced to the importing of slavery and Jamaican immigration attracted to the employment opportunities of building railroads and working the banana plantations in the late 1800s. Many of the blacks speak a lovely dialect of English with Caribbean influence.

A very small number of indigenous Native Indians remain in Costa Rica having been decimated by Spanish conquests or melded over centuries into Costa Rican society and blended culture. Because of the many attractions of Costa Rica, there is a sliver of North American and Asian population.

Social classes in Costa Rica is homogenous. The overwhelming majority of the population is middle-class. Extreme poverty does exist, but not nearly close to the magnitude of Costa Rica's Central American neighbors. Compared to developed countries, average income is low but much higher than its surrounding Latin American countries. The upper class "elitists" are small in numbers. The huge middle-class society is a tribute to the strong democratic system that promotes equal opportunity.

Over 77% of Costa Rica is Catholic, but many describe it as a "lukewarm" practice of Catholicism. Even during colonial times, religious institutions have never had a powerful influence over political or cultural aspects.

Ticos and Ticas

Most Costa Ricans refer to themselves as "Ticos" or "Ticas" which are male and female inference. Ticos being male, Ticas being female. The words derive from "hermanticos" and "hermanticas" meaning "little brothers" and "little sisters". The Ticos and Ticas are festive and know how to party and celebrate. They are a peaceful, yet fun-loving people that know how to welcome travelers and vacationers.

Costa Rica society is well educated and boasts a 93% literacy rate. The capital city of Costa Rica is San Jose and is the cultural center with a growing venue of theatre, opera, symphony and cultural interests.