Costa Rica: primary language is Spanish — English gets you by in tourist areas, but is inconsistent elsewhere.
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The primary language in Costa Rica is Spanish.
English gets you by in tourist areas, but is inconsistent elsewhere. Common in tourist areas and among younger people, less consistent in rural regions.
Learning "hello," "please," "thank you," "excuse me," and "the check please" in the local language goes a long way anywhere, including Costa Rica — locals consistently appreciate the effort.
Yes — an offline translation app is genuinely useful in Costa Rica, especially outside major tourist areas.