Travel Etiquette
Costa Rica
Currency
Costa Rican Colòn
Official Language
Spanish
Dress
Costa Rica is very conservative when it
comes to business dress; therefore, do not
remove your suit jacket in a meeting.
Meetings
Lunch breaks are often used for business
meetings so you are expected to be
punctual.
Gifts
Costa Ricans often exchange gifts and it is
good practice to take something if invited
to their home. Flowers or candy are good
choices.
Hand Gestures and Body Language
Making a fist with the thumb sticking out
between the middle and index fingers is
obscene. Fidgeting is also considered impolite.
Formalities
Use a person’s professional title if
addressing them such as: Doctor,
Professor, Lawyer or Architect. Use titles
when addressing people - Señor (Mr.),
Señora (Mrs.) and Señorita (Miss) followed
by their surname. Make sure business cards and other
documents are printed in English and Spanish.
