Language

Costa Ricans speak standard Spanish, but they, like most other Central American countries over the years, have developed distinct patterns in their language.

Costa Ricans usually utilise the respectful 'Usted' form when addressing one another, this is somewhat formal and surprises some Spanish-speaking foreigners when they arrive. Also, when they do use the familiar form, they often use the more polite vos rather than tú, which is used in most other Latin American countries.

One of the unique features of Costa Rican speech is a distinctive sibilant pronunciation of words beginning with 'Tr', like tren ('train'). Costa Ricans make a longer 'tr' sound, which ends up sounding like 'trshren'. In most Central American countries, the pronunciation is a rough r.