The Secret Life of Money in Costa Rica: How Ticos Handle Cash
If you really want to know Costa Rica, don’t ask about the volcanoes, the beaches, or even the national bird. Ask about money. Not in a “how much do you make?” way, but in the everyday, human sense: what do people call the bills, when do they pull them out, and why does everyone suddenly get nervous when you try to pay for a casado with a giant note?
Because in Costa Rica, money isn’t just currency — it’s language, etiquette, and a little social theater rolled into one.
Words First: How Costa Ricans Talk About Money
If you say dinero in casual conversation, you’ll sound formal, almost stiff. The locals have their own playful vocabulary:
Plata — literally “silver,” but just means money. The safe choice; it works anywhere.
Harina — “flour,” as in the stuff that keeps you alive. Metaphor complete.
Menudo — small change, the jingling kind. Crucial for buses, markets, and corner stores.
Meet the Bills: Nicknames, Colors, and Pronunciation
Costa Rican Bills: A Deep Dive into Animals, Trees, and Colors
Costa Rican colón bills are like tiny storybooks in your wallet. Each one showcases a mix of national symbols — animals, trees, and sometimes presidents — and comes with a nickname that locals use in everyday life. Knowing these is both practical and a secret way to feel “inside” Costa Rican culture.
Costa Rican Banknotes: Nature, Culture, and History
Costa Rica's banknotes are more than just currency; they are a reflection of the nation's rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. Each denomination features unique designs that celebrate the country's natural beauty and honor its historical figures.
₡1,000 — "Un Rojo"
Pronunciation: [meel koh-LOH-nes]
Color: Red
Featured Animal: White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) – Endangered
Featured Tree: Guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum)
Historical Figure: Braulio Carrillo Colina
The ₡1,000 bill showcases the white-tailed deer, Costa Rica's national animal, symbolizing the country's rich wildlife. The guanacaste tree, featured on the reverse side, is the national tree of Costa Rica, representing the nation's commitment to environmental conservation. Braulio Carrillo Colina, depicted on this bill, was a significant figure in Costa Rican history. However, his legacy is marred by controversy, including accusations of authoritarian rule and suppression of political opposition.
₡2,000 — "Dos Mil"
Pronunciation: [dohs meel koh-LOH-nes]
Color: Blue
Featured Animal: Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) – Vulnerable
Featured Tree: Coral Reef (Acropora palmata)
Historical Figure: Mauro Fernández Acuña
The ₡2,000 bill honors Mauro Fernández Acuña, a Costa Rican educator known for his contributions to the country's educational system. The bull shark and coral reef, featured on the bill, highlight Costa Rica's rich marine biodiversity. The bull shark is a vulnerable species facing threats from overfishing and habitat loss.
₡5,000 — "Un Tucán"
Pronunciation: [seen-koh meel koh-LOH-nes]
Color: Yellow
Featured Animal: Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) – Near-Threatened
Featured Tree: Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle)
Historical Figure: Alfredo González Flores
The ₡5,000 bill pays tribute to Alfredo González Flores, a former Costa Rican president known for his contributions to the country's development. The keel-billed toucan and mangrove tree, featured on the bill, symbolize Costa Rica's rich biodiversity and commitment to environmental conservation. The keel-billed toucan is facing population declines due to habitat loss and illegal trade.
₡10,000 — "Una Teja"
Pronunciation: [dyehs meel koh-LOH-nes]
Color: Purple
Featured Animal: Brown-throated Sloth (Bradypus variegatus) – Vulnerable
Featured Tree: Eriopsis Orchid (Eriopsis wercklei)
Historical Figure: José Figueres Ferrer
The ₡10,000 bill honors José Figueres Ferrer, a prominent Costa Rican leader known for his contributions to the country's development. The brown-throated sloth and eriopsis orchid, featured on the bill, highlight Costa Rica's rich biodiversity. The brown-throated sloth is vulnerable due to habitat destruction.
₡20,000 — "Veinte Mil"
Pronunciation: [beyn-teh meel koh-LOH-nes]
Color: Orange
Featured Animal: Volcano Hummingbird (Selasphorus flammula) – Least Concern
Featured Tree: Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Historical Figure: Carmen Lyra
The ₡20,000 bill features Carmen Lyra, the first prominent female Costa Rican writer, known for her contributions to literature. The volcano hummingbird and sunflower, featured on the bill, symbolize Costa Rica's rich natural heritage. The volcano hummingbird is a tiny but mighty bird found in Costa Rica's volcanic regions.
₡50,000 — "Cincuenta Mil"
Pronunciation: [seen-kwehn-tah meel koh-LOH-nes]
Color: Yellow/Golden
Featured Animal: Morpho Butterfly (Morpho peleides) – Least Concern
Featured Tree: Bromelia (Bromeliaceae)
Historical Figure: Ricardo Jiménez Oreamuno
The ₡50,000 bill features Ricardo Jiménez Oreamuno, a former Costa Rican president known for his contributions to the country's development. The morpho butterfly and bromelia, featured on the bill, highlight Costa Rica's rich biodiversity. The morpho butterfly is known for its iridescent blue wings and is a symbol of Costa Rica's rich biodiversity.
Understanding Costa Rican Currency Culture
Costa Rican banknotes are more than just currency; they are a testament to the nation's rich biodiversity, cultural heritage, and commitment to environmental conservation. Each bill tells a story, honoring the animals, trees, and historical figures that have shaped the country. Understanding the symbolism behind these banknotes provides a deeper appreciation of Costa Rica's unique identity.
If you're interested in learning more about Costa Rican currency or planning a visit to experience its rich culture firsthand, feel free to ask for more information or resources.
Useful Spanish Phrases for Learners
Here’s a mini toolkit for interacting with money in Costa Rica:
¿Cuánto cuesta? – How much does it cost?
¿Tiene cambio? – Do you have change?
¿Acepta tarjeta? – Do you accept card?
¿Cuánto debo? – How much do I owe?
¿Puedo pagar con…? – Can I pay with…?
No ande con mucha harina encima. – Don’t carry too much cash on you.
Use them, and suddenly you’re not a tourist; you’re in on the local language street smarts.
Money Culture: How Costa Ricans Handle Cash
Ticos have developed social rituals around money that outsiders might find quirky, but they make perfect sense once you understand them:
Discretion: Avoid flashing large sums in public. It’s about humility and respect.
Precision: Always pay the exact amount when possible; counting bills openly is considered rude.
Equality: Costa Rican culture values fairness. Ostentation can make people uncomfortable.
Community-mindedness: Sharing, tipping discreetly, and helping neighbors are socially expected.
Salary Culture and Cost of Living
Understanding etiquette is easier when you see the economic background.
Minimum Wage (2025): Varies by sector and level of formal training. Workers without formal technical or professional training earn about ₡367,108.56/month, while workers with technical or professional training earn around ₡413,023.56/month.
Average Salary: Roughly ₡700,000/month, though industry and location can swing this dramatically.
Exchange Rate: ~₡500 = $1 USD. That bright-red un rojo? About $2.
High earners: Tech, healthcare, multinationals.
Low earners: Service staff, cashiers, drivers — the people who will notice if you flaunt a bill.
Rent: Ungentrified vs Gentrified
Where you live dramatically affects your cost of living:
Ungentrified/Rural Areas: Smaller towns or rural areas have lower rent and more affordable services. A small apartment may be $100–$300/month.
Gentrified/Touristic Areas: Popular neighborhoods in San José, Guanacaste, or Puntarenas can have rents exceeding $1,000/month, sometimes double or triple rural rates. This impacts locals and newcomers alike.
Protecting the cost of living is crucial: gentrification can displace longtime residents, so awareness of wages and fair pricing matters for community stability.
The Big Takeaway
In Costa Rica, money is more than numbers. It’s language, etiquette, and a subtle social contract. Knowing the nicknames, respecting discretion, and understanding salary realities lets you move through daily life gracefully — like you belong rather than like a flashing-wallet tourist.
And if you ever forget the rules? At least you’ll still have plata for a coffee, and a story about the teja you almost waved in a corner store.