Costa rica general knowledge | Costa Rica GK Question Answer
Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica, is a Central American country bordered by Nicaragua and Panama, with coastlines on the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Known for its biodiversity, rainforests, volcanoes, and eco-tourism, Costa Rica is a global leader in environmental protection. This guide provides key facts about Costa Rica in a Q&A format.
Costa Rica GK Question Answer
Geography & Location
Q: What is the capital of Costa Rica?
A: San José
Q: What is the largest city in Costa Rica?
A: San José
Q: Which countries border Costa Rica?
A: Nicaragua and Panama
Q: Which oceans border Costa Rica?
A: Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
Q: What is the total area of Costa Rica?
A: Approximately 51,100 square kilometers
Q: What is the population of Costa Rica?
A: Around 5.3 million (2025 estimate)
Q: What is the currency of Costa Rica?
A: Costa Rican Colón (CRC)
Q: What is the highest point in Costa Rica?
A: Cerro Chirripó (3,820 meters)
Q: Name a major river in Costa Rica.
A: Tempisque River
Q: Name another important river in Costa Rica.
A: Sarapiquí River
Q: What type of climate does Costa Rica have?
A: Tropical – wet and dry seasons
Q: Name a famous beach in Costa Rica.
A: Manuel Antonio Beach
Q: Name a famous mountain range in Costa Rica.
A: Cordillera de Talamanca
History & Politics
Q: When did Costa Rica gain independence from Spain?
A: 15 September 1821
Q: What type of government does Costa Rica have?
A: Presidential democratic republic
Q: Who is the President of Costa Rica (2025)?
A: Rodrigo Chaves Robles
Q: What is Costa Rica’s national legislature called?
A: Legislative Assembly
Q: Has Costa Rica ever had a standing army?
A: No, abolished in 1949
Q: Name a historical city in Costa Rica.
A: Cartago
Q: What is Costa Rica’s national motto?
A: “Pura Vida” (Pure Life)
Q: Name a major political party in Costa Rica.
A: National Liberation Party (PLN)
Q: Who was a key leader in Costa Rican independence?
A: Juan Mora Fernández
Q: Name a historical event in Costa Rica.
A: Abolition of the military in 1949
Culture & Society
Q: What is the main religion in Costa Rica?
A: Christianity (Roman Catholic majority)
Q: Name a traditional Costa Rican dish.
A: Gallo Pinto
Q: Name a popular Costa Rican singer.
A: Debi Nova
Q: Name a famous Costa Rican writer.
A: Carmen Lyra
Q: What is Costa Rica’s national flag?
A: Blue, white, and red horizontal stripes with the coat of arms
Q: Name a traditional dance in Costa Rica.
A: Punto Guanacasteco
Q: Name a famous festival in Costa Rica.
A: Fiestas de Zapote
Q: What is a common greeting in Costa Rica?
A: “Pura Vida”
Q: Name a traditional craft of Costa Rica.
A: Oxcart painting (Carretas de Costa Rica)
Q: Name a national symbol of Costa Rica.
A: Yigüirro bird (national bird)
Economy & Infrastructure
Q: What is the currency of Costa Rica?
A: Costa Rican Colón (CRC)
Q: What are the major sectors of Costa Rica’s economy?
A: Agriculture, tourism, services, technology
Q: What is Costa Rica famous for exporting?
A: Coffee, bananas, pineapples, sugar, electronics
Q: Which city is Costa Rica’s financial hub?
A: San José
Q: Name a major port in Costa Rica.
A: Port of Limón
Q: Name a major airport in Costa Rica.
A: Juan Santamaría International Airport
Q: Name a major bank in Costa Rica.
A: Banco Nacional de Costa Rica
Q: Does Costa Rica produce oil or gas?
A: No significant production
Q: Name a major highway in Costa Rica.
A: Inter-American Highway
Q: Name a major Costa Rican company.
A: Florida Ice & Farm Co.
Famous Places & Tourism
Q: Name Costa Rica’s most visited tourist attraction.
A: Arenal Volcano
Q: Name a UNESCO World Heritage site in Costa Rica.
A: Guanacaste Conservation Area
Q: Name a famous beach in Costa Rica.
A: Tamarindo Beach
Q: Name a famous national park in Costa Rica.
A: Manuel Antonio National Park
Q: Name a popular city for tourism.
A: San José
Q: Name a famous historical city in Costa Rica.
A: Cartago
Q: Name a famous volcano in Costa Rica.
A: Poás Volcano
Q: Name a famous waterfall in Costa Rica.
A: La Fortuna Waterfall
Q: Name a famous rainforest in Costa Rica.
A: Monteverde Cloud Forest
Q: Name a popular eco-tourism destination in Costa Rica.
A: Corcovado National Park
Education & Science
Q: Name a leading university in Costa Rica.
A: University of Costa Rica
Q: Is education compulsory in Costa Rica?
A: Yes, from ages 6 to 15
Q: What is the literacy rate of Costa Rica?
A: Around 97%
Q: Name a famous Costa Rican scientist.
A: Franklin Chang Díaz (NASA astronaut)
Q: Name a major research institution in Costa Rica.
A: Costa Rican Institute of Technology
Q: Name a technological university in Costa Rica.
A: Technological Institute of Costa Rica
Q: Name a famous Costa Rican historian.
A: Ricardo Fernández Guardia
Q: Name a leading educational city.
A: San José
Q: Name a famous Costa Rican library.
A: National Library of Costa Rica
Q: Name a prominent educational institution in Cartago.
A: Costa Rica Institute of Technology (TEC)
Costarica Sports
Q: Which sport is most popular in Costa Rica?
A: Football (soccer)
Q: Name Costa Rica’s national football team nickname.
A: Los Ticos
Q: Has Costa Rica participated in the Olympic Games?
A: Yes
Q: Name a famous Costa Rican footballer.
A: Keylor Navas
Q: Name a popular basketball team in Costa Rica.
A: Ferretería Brenes-Barva
Q: Name a traditional sport in Costa Rica.
A: Bullfighting (in a cultural sense, not dangerous)
Q: Name Costa Rica’s main football stadium.
A: Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica
Q: Has Costa Rica won Olympic medals?
A: Yes, in swimming and athletics
Q: Name a famous Costa Rican cyclist.
A: Andrey Amador
Q: Name a famous Costa Rican athlete.
A: Claudia Poll (swimming)
Miscellaneous Facts
Q: What is the calling code of Costa Rica?
A: +506
Q: What is the national animal of Costa Rica?
A: Yigüirro bird
Q: What is the national bird of Costa Rica?
A: Yigüirro
Q: Which Costa Rican city is famous for coffee production?
A: Heredia
Q: What is the national flower of Costa Rica?
A: Guaria Morada
Q: Name a famous Costa Rican dessert.
A: Tres Leches Cake
Q: Name a famous Costa Rican actor.
A: Costa Rican cinema is small; notable actors appear in Latin American films
Q: Name a popular Costa Rican music genre.
A: Calypso (Caribbean coast), Folk
Q: What is Costa Rica known for environmentally?
A: Biodiversity and eco-tourism
Q: Name a famous Costa Rican volcano.
A: Arenal Volcano
