A frequently asked question about traveling to Costa Rica is: How much Spanish do I need to know?

The good news is… not a lot 🙂

Most people in tourism speak English.

If you go into a grocery store, or go off the beaten path, having your phone fully charged and downloading a free translation app will be helpful.

I do always recommend knowing a few basic phrases, just to be respectful and courteous of the country you’re visiting, like…

Hello / Hi – Hola

How are you – Cómo está?

Where is the bathroom – Dónde está el baño?

How much does it cost – Cuánto cuesta?

Do you have… – Tiene ________________

If you have basic Spanish knowledge, you may have noticed that I’ve used the “usted” form here. Many people in Costa Rica don’t like the form of “tu” and would prefer it not be used. They tend to be more formal in language than other countries (but they have a whole lot of slang called pachuco that is very informal).

Now if you’re planning on living in Costa Rica…

Then I would say, YES, you definitely need to learn Spanish. I wouldn’t say you need to be fluent before arrival but taking a few classes before you leave and once you’re here will definitely help.

Knowing the language makes life so much easier. And it’s the respectful thing to do since you’re living in someone else’s country!