agüevadoListen
Originating from huevos (“eggs,” meaning testicles), this word describes being bored, bummed out, depressed, frustrated, tired, or bothered.
Este trabajo ya me tiene agüevado.“I’m already sick and tired of this job.”
(Guanacaste, Costa Rica)
Travel & lodging.
Fly into Liberia and let the hotels handle the rest.
(fly into Liberia)
Book to LIR, Daniel Oduber Quirós International in Liberia, about 45 minutes from the peninsula gate. Direct flights run from many U.S. hubs. San José (SJO) is a five-hour drive; we don't recommend it.
(transfers & shuttles)
Guanacaste InfoCenter will be our official transportation company. We negotiated a great rate for shared and private vans from the Liberia (LIR) Airport to Papagayo Peninsula. Please sign up for airport transportation with the link below. Closer to the date, Guanacaste InfoCenter will contact you regarding the available options and pricing.
Sign up for airport transportationIf you have any questions, contact Abe Solis at guanacasteinfocenter@gmail.com.
(passports)
Bring a valid passport and proof of return or onward travel. U.S. citizens generally do not need a tourist visa; the immigration officer determines the permitted stay at entry, up to 180 days for travelers in the applicable country group. Review Costa Rica's current official entry requirements before you travel.
(language) The official language in Costa Rica is Spanish, so it's helpful to know a few key phrases and greetings for your trip. In the more touristy areas, many Costa Ricans speak English, but if you're planning to travel off the beaten path, consider learning a few expressions in the local language.
Phrase notes courtesy of Special Places of Costa Rica. Each Listen link opens the phrase in Google Translate, where you can select the audio icon.
al chileListen
Literally “to the chili,” this expression usually means fast, right now, or right away. It is also used to mean “really.”
¿Al chile? ¡Al chile!“Really?” “Really!”
cada loco con su temaListen
Literally, “each crazy person with his own issue,” or “To each his own.”
Está tratando de vender sus tacos caseros frente al Taco Bell. Cada loco con su tema.“She’s trying to sell her homemade tacos right in front of the Taco Bell. To each his own.”
chuncheListen
Thingamajig or whatchamallit; a word used for any object you don’t know the name of.
Necesito un chunche para abrir botellas de birra.“I need a thingamajig to open beer bottles.”
comehuevosListen
“Egg eaters.” It refers to frugal Costa Rican families who bring boiled eggs on beach vacations so they do not have to pay for restaurants.
Los restaurantes de aquí nunca ganan nada de los comehuevos.“The restaurants here never make anything from the egg eaters.”
darle pelotaListen
“To give the ball to someone,” meaning to pay attention to someone, usually used in the negative.
Te dije que tu novio era un idiota, pero no me diste pelota.“I told you your boyfriend was an idiot, but you didn’t listen.”
diayListen
A filler word meaning “gosh,” “gee,” or “wow,” often used to suggest the difficulty of addressing an issue.
Si no quieres trabajar, diay, va a ser difícil pagar tu renta.“If you don’t want to work, gee, it’s going to be hard to pay your rent.”
güevónListen
Literally someone with big testicles, this does not refer to courage but foolishness. It is a mild put-down used among friends.
No seas güevón.“Don’t be a dummy.”
hablar pajaListen
“To talk straw,” meaning to speak nonsense or say things that are not true.
Dijo que era rico, pero estaba hablando pura paja.“He claimed to be rich, but he was talking pure BS.”
maeListen
This uniquely Costa Rican word, sometimes spelled maje, is used to address someone informally, similar to “dude.”
¿Diay, mae, cómo no metió ese gol?“Oh, dude, how did he miss that goal?”
manda güevoListen
Literally “send egg,” this can mean “It’s easy, just do it!” or “What a disappointment!”
¿Tu papá es dueño de una fábrica y te da pereza buscar un empleo? ¡Manda güevo!“Your father owns a factory and you’re too lazy to find a job? C’mon, just do it!”
meter la pataListen
Literally “to stick your foot in,” this means to screw up, make a mistake, or blow it.
Metí la pata cuando me burlé de mi jefe.“I screwed up when I made fun of my boss.”
nada que verListen
Literally “nothing to see,” this means one thing has nothing to do with another. It is also used for “No way” or “That’s just wrong.”
¿Este vino está en descuento y todavía cuesta quince mil? Nada que ver.“This wine is on sale and it still costs fifteen thousand? No way.”
necioListen
Foolish, stubborn, or dumb. It is a mild put-down rather than a harsh insult.
No sea tan necio.“Don’t be so dumb.”
no jodásListen
“Don’t screw around” or “don’t mess with me,” often used like a sarcastic “Yeah, right.”
¿Crees que podrías jugar con Saprissa? No jodás.“You think you could play with Saprissa? Yeah, right!”
pura vidaListen
Costa Rica’s best-known saying can mean “life is wonderful,” “everything is great,” “I’m really happy,” and even “Thank you.”
Mi jefe ya me pagó el aguinaldo. ¡Pura vida!“My boss already paid my Christmas bonus. Life is good!”
soylaListen
“I’m the one,” a whimsical word used to describe a woman who does everything.
Soy la que limpia, soy la que lava, soy la soyla.“I’m the one who cleans, I’m the one who washes, I’m the I’m-the-one.”
tuanisListen
A very Costa Rican word of uncertain origin meaning great, excellent, pretty, or nice.
Esta playa es bien tuanis.“This beach is really nice.”
upeListen
A word shouted outside someone’s home when seeking entrance, or spoken when entering an empty-looking store in search of the shopkeeper.
Dije “upe” cinco veces, y la única que me contestó fue una lora.“I said ‘Hello!’ five times and the only one who answered me was a parrot.”
vieras queListen
“You should see,” “you should be aware of,” or “FYI,” used to call attention to something the other person may not know.
Quisiera trabajar aquí, pero queda a 10 kilómetros de mi casa, y vieras que no tengo carro.“I’d like to work here, but it’s 10 kilometers from my house, and just so you know, I don’t have a car.”
(bonus Q&A)
How do you say…?
- “Cool” in Costa Rica?
- Qué chiva means something is cool, nice, or pretty. For cool weather, use fresco.
- “Everything is cool”?
- Pura vida works, and another popular phrase is todo bien, meaning all’s well.
- What do Costa Ricans call themselves?
- Ticos, from their habit of using the diminutive suffix ico instead of ito, as in un poquitico.
- How do Costa Ricans say hello?
- Along with hola, buenos días, and buenas tardes, you’ll hear buenas. Ticos often answer the phone with aló.
¡Diay, mae, no jodás, no hables paja, manda güevo, deme pelota, vieras que todo es tuanis en la tierra de pura vida, güevón!
(travel tips)
Pack smart. Travel easy.
Our wedding planning team prepared a special guide to what you should know and bring for your trip to Costa Rica.
Read the Costa Rica packing guide(what to avoid in Costa Rica)
- Never leave your valuables unattended.
- Don't get into an unofficial taxi.
- Don't forget to wear sunscreen and bug spray.
- Leave your passport in a safe place unless you need to carry it for a specific purpose.
Lodging.
We have reserved room blocks at both Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve and the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort.
A limited number of rooms are available at discounted rates. To use either room block, reservations must be made by .
Wedding-day home base
Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Home base for the wedding day, with the ceremony and celebration just steps from your room. The room block includes daily breakfast at Mirador.
Booking details coming soonThe final room-block link and rate will appear here.
View Nekajui
The relaxed option
Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort
A breezy resort on Culebra Bay with pools, restaurants, and monkeys in the trees at breakfast. Shuttle service connects it to every wedding event.
Booking details coming soonThe final room-block link and rate will appear here.
View AndazArrive by Thursday morning to make the opening night celebration.