How to call Costa Rica | In-depth guide with examples

Connecting with Costa Rica from the United States is essential for various reasons, including business, personal, and cultural.

With its thriving technology, tourism, agriculture, and finance industries, Costa Rica presents numerous opportunities for international business ventures. Additionally, the country's rich traditions, vibrant festivals, and exceptional cuisine make it a unique and attractive destination for personal connections.

Understanding the nuances of interacting with Costa Rica is crucial to nurturing both business and personal relationships, ensuring seamless and meaningful communication.

Guide to calling Costa Rica

Before dialing, you’ll want to understand the rates your carrier charges for international calls to Costa Rica. Make sure your connection is reliable to avoid any issues caused by latency or choppy voice transmission.

1. Check the time in Costa Rica

Considering the time difference is important when calling Costa Rica. The country operates on Central Standard Time (CST) without observing daylight saving time. This typically makes Costa Rica one to two hours behind U.S. Eastern Standard Time (EST), depending on the time of year.

You should always check the local time in Costa Rica to ensure your call is made at a convenient hour.

2. Dial the exit code

For international calls from the U.S., the exit code is 011, indicating you're making an international call.

3. Enter Costa Rica country code

Next, dial Costa Rica's country code (+506) to connect your call to Costa Rica.

4. Dial the area code and local number

Start with 011, followed by 506, the country code for Costa Rica.

For a landline

Input the eight-digit local number directly after the country code. Costa Rica does not use area codes, making dialing more straightforward.

For example, to call a landline in Costa Rica with the local number 22345678, you would dial 011-506-22345678.

For a mobile phone

Dial the eight-digit mobile number directly after the country code, starting with either 6, 7, or 8.

For instance, to call a Costa Rican mobile number like 87654321, the correct sequence would be 011-506-87654321.

Tips for a successful call

Before placing a call to Costa Rica, ensure you have a strong internet connection to avoid dropped calls. Have a backup plan for technical issues, such as knowing whether to call back or wait for the other party to reconnect.

Respecting Costa Rican business culture and etiquette is essential. Costa Ricans value formalities in business interactions. Address professionals using titles like “Licenciado” for lawyers or “Ingeniero” for engineers, followed by their surname. Greetings are important; start with a polite “Buenos días” (Good morning) or “Buenas tardes” (Good afternoon).

Be mindful of local holidays, as Costa Rica has numerous national celebrations that may affect business operations. Major holidays like Semana Santa (Holy Week) can significantly impact availability. Schedule calls around these times to ensure your contacts are available.

While many Costa Ricans speak English, especially in business settings, using simple Spanish greetings can build rapport. Phrases like “Hola” (Hello) and “Gracias” (Thank you) are appreciated.

Finally, be patient and flexible. The pace of business in Costa Rica may be slower than in the U.S., emphasizing building personal relationships and trust before making decisions. Adapting to this can lead to more successful and respectful communication.

Considerations for calling Costa Rica

When planning to call Costa Rica, several factors can influence your experience. Here's a breakdown of key considerations:

Language and culture

While Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica, English is widely understood in tourist areas and business circles. However, brushing up on basic Spanish phrases can significantly enhance your interactions and demonstrate respect for the local culture.

Common Costa Rican greetings include:

• ¡Hola!
  • "Hello"
• ¡Buenos días!
  • "Good morning"
• ¡Buenas tardes!
  • "Good afternoon/good evening"
• ¡Buenas noches!
  • "Good night"
• ¿Cómo está?
  • "How are you?" (formal, used with strangers or older individuals)
• ¿Cómo estás? - "How are you?" (informal, used with friends or peers)
• ¡Pura vida!
  • A versatile phrase expressing "pure life" or "good vibes." It can be used as a greeting, a farewell, or an affirmation of well-being.

Costa Ricans are known for their friendly and laid-back "Pura Vida" attitude. Politeness is highly valued, so be sure to use formal greetings when appropriate and avoid being overly direct or confrontational.

Time zones

Costa Rica observes Central Standard Time (CST) year-round, without daylight saving time. Here's a table illustrating the time differences between Costa Rica and various U.S. time zones:

Call costs

The cost of calling Costa Rica can vary based on your service provider, the duration of the call, and the time of day. To get the most accurate rates, check with your service provider or explore alternatives like VoIP services or mobile apps for potentially lower costs.

Carrier rates are a major factor in determining the cost of your calls. Traditional phone companies tend to have higher per-minute charges for international calls. If you're calling Costa Rica frequently, it’s worth considering an international calling plan or package that could offer lower rates.

VoIP services such as Skype or WhatsApp allow you to make calls over the internet, often at significantly lower rates than traditional phone lines. These platforms may even provide free calls to other users on the same service, which can help reduce your overall communication costs.

International calling cards are another cost-saving option. Prepaid cards often offer discounted rates for specific destinations like Costa Rica, allowing you to pay upfront for a set amount of minutes. This can be an effective way to manage your call expenses, especially if you're calling internationally on a regular basis.

Mobile apps designed for international calling offer competitive rates and flexible plans, tailored to those who make frequent calls abroad. Many of these apps provide affordable options that make it easier to stay connected without worrying about excessive costs.

By reviewing carrier rates and considering alternatives like VoIP services, international calling cards, or mobile apps, you can make informed decisions to manage the cost of staying connected with contacts in Costa Rica effectively.

Make affordable calls to Costa Rica with Telnyx

With these tips and recommendations, you're ready to call Costa Rica with confidence.

If you’re looking for more guidance on global calling, Telnyx’s team of experts can help you navigate the complexities of international communication.

Telnyx is a next-gen communications platform that offers a global private IP network, multi-cloud redundancy, and carrier-grade services.

Our elastic SIP trunking services make it easy to call nearly every country in the world. We also offer support and guidance to help you grow and scale your business.

With competitive pricing and a wide variety of local phone numbers in over 140 countries, Telnyx provides cost-effective calling solutions with unmatched expertise.