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Costa Rica is considered one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, but where on Earth is Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is found in Central America, on the thin strip of land that connects North America to South America. 

This article will explain exactly where Costa Rica is, as well as other frequently asked questions such as flight duration and the language spoken. 

Keep reading to discover more. 

Where Is Costa Rica Located?

Located in Central America, between Nicaragua to the North and Panama to the South, Costa Rica is a small country, not much larger than Denmark. 

Costa Rica is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the West and the Caribbean Sea to the East. 

Despite its small size, approximately 51,000 km², Costa Rica is home to nearly 5% of all species found on Earth. Pretty impressive.

What Continent Is Costa Rica In?

Costa Rica is part of the North American continent. 

Technically, Costa Rica is in Central America – along with 6 other countries: Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Panama. 

But, as our school geography lessons taught us, Central America is not a continent. It is, in fact, a subregion of North America. 

Is Costa Rica in South America?

No, Costa Rica is not in South America. 

Costa Rica is part of Central America, a subregion of North America. 

How Long Is The Flight To Costa Rica?

A direct flight from London to Costa Rica takes approximately 12 hours. 

Yet, there are a lot of variables to consider. 

From the UK, direct flights do not occur every day. Instead, most airlines flying from London to Costa Rica will have a layover in another country. 

The most common destination for a layover is the United States. If you are flying into the US, you must ensure you have an ESTA – an online system that determines if a traveller is eligible to visit the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

Depending on the duration of your layover, the average flight time from London to Costa Rica, with a stopover, is approximately 17 hours. 

What Language Is Spoken In Costa Rica?

Spanish is the main language spoken in Costa Rica. 

Since the Spanish colonisation of Costa Rica in the 16th century, Spanish has become the official language. 

Of course, Costa Ricans have their own dialect and words that are not used anywhere else in the world: Tico Spanish, or Tiquismos. 

Check out our Tico Guide of common phrases you’ll hear in Costa Rica and what they mean in English. 

However, Spanish wasn’t always the spoken language in Costa Rica.

There are 5 indigenous languages spoken in Costa Rica: Maléku, Cabécar, Bribri, Guaymí, and Buglere. 

These languages are part of the Chibchan language, indigenous to the Isthmo-Colombian Area, and are spoken by the descendants of pre-Columbian peoples in Costa Rica.

Today, these indigenous languages are considered endangered. 

Maléku is spoken in the northern part of Costa Rica, while Cabécar and Bribri are spoken in the central and southern Caribbean regions. Guaymí is spoken in the southern part of the country.

Over the last few decades, Costa Rica has had an influx of immigration – and it’s easy to see why: a stable climate, good food and a more relaxed way of life.

Each generation of new immigrants has introduced new languages into Costa Rica, contributing to a rich language diversity and colourful culture. 

Besides Spanish and indigenous languages, English is perhaps the most widely spoken language across Costa Rica. This is especially true in tourist hotspots, such as Monteverde, Arenal and the Pacific Coast. 

French, German, Portuguese and Italian are spoken by a percentage of the population. 

What Is The Capital Of Costa Rica?

San José is the Capital of Costa Rica.

The most popular flight route is London Heathrow to San José Juan Santamaria. 

Cartago, the first Spanish settlement in Costa Rica, was the Capital City between the years of 1574 to 1823.

Do You Need A Visa For Costa Rica?

Citizens of the UK do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica. 

You can visit Costa Rica without a visa for up to 180 days under a tourist visa waiver. The exact period is at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival. 

Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 1 day after the day you plan to leave Costa Rica.

You will have to show immigration an outbound flight and, in some instances, travel insurance documents. 

If you are travelling through another country to reach Costa Rica, you must check their visa requirements. In the United States, for example, British travellers are required to purchase an ESTA. 

Final Thoughts

Costa Rica is a small country located between Nicaragua and Panama. 

Costa Rica is part of Central America, a subregion of North America. 

The main language spoken is Spanish, and you will hear colloquial terms used. This is referred to as Tico Spanish. 

When travelling to Costa Rica, be aware that not all flights are direct from London. In-direct flights may take 17 hours or more to arrive, depending on the length of your layover. 

For more information about Costa Rica, or you would like to plan a trip, reach out to our team today at info@cecropiatravel.com or contact us to schedule a free video consultation by heading to our website.