- September 15th is Costa Rica's Indepence Day, here school children parade through rustic Coronado.
Explore Costa Rica - Information about life in the tropics
General information about Costa Rica including tourist attractions, things to do and see, Tico culture, and also maps of Costa Rica.
Costa Rica Information and Attractions
- Costa Rica's Official Seal
Costa Rica History and Culture
Click on Costa Rica's Official Seal to see our section on Tico culture, law and history. The actual seal is based on a design originating on September 19th, 1848 during the term of President Jose María Castro Madriz. It was modified substantially in 1906, when the Legislature passed a law eliminating war-like elements of the seal.
The seal today features 3 volcanoes, one for each mountain range that crosses the country. On each ocean there is a merchant ship, representing Costa Rica's history of international trade and as a seafaring nation. The seven stars represent each province and the rising sun the hope of a new day. The golden frame of the seal represents Costa Rica's "grano de oro" (the golden bean - coffee).
National Anthem of Costa Rica
Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera / Noble homeland, your beautiful flag
expresión de tu vida nos da; / gives us a glimpse of the life you offer:
bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo / under your clear blue sky,
blanca y pura descansa la paz. / peace rests, white and pure.
En la lucha tenaz, / In the fierce struggle
de fecunda labor / of prolific labor,
que enrojece del hombre la faz, / that reddens the face of man,
conquistaron tus hijos / your children, simple laborers
labriegos sencillos / conquered
eterno prestigio, estima y honor. / eternal prestige, honor and glory.
¡Salve, o tierra gentil! / Salve*, oh gentle earth!
¡Salve, o madre de amor! / Salve,* oh mother of love!
Cuando alguno pretenda / When anyone tries to
tu gloria manchar, / stain your glory,
verás a tu pueblo valiente y viril, / you shall see your people, manly and brave
la tosca herramienta en arma trocar. / transform crude tools into weapons.
Salve oh Patria tú pródigo suelo, / Salve* oh homeland, your prodigious soil
dulce abrigo y sustento nos da; / gives us sweet comfort and sustenance
bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo / under the clear blue of your sky,
¡vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz! / May peace and work always prosper!
* Salve - is a poetic exclamation, like Oh! en English. But it has a double meaning, since it is also the name of a prayer in which one praises and begs the Virgin Mary, salve is also the name of the music that accompanies these prayers.
Listen to the national anthem:
