English Slang Expressions You Might Hear from Native Speakers in Costa Rica
If you live in Costa Rica or work with tourists, expats, or digital nomads, you’ve probably noticed something interesting:
Native English speakers here don’t always speak “textbook English.”
Instead, you’ll hear casual expressions and slang used in cafés, surf towns, offices, and everyday conversations. Understanding these phrases can help you feel more confident and connected when speaking English in real life.
Let’s look at some common English slang you might hear from native speakers in Costa Rica — and what it really means.
1. “Pura vida!”
Yes — native English speakers say this too 😄
What it means: 👉 Everything’s good / Life is good / Thanks / Bye / Hello
Example:
“See you later — pura vida!”
Many English speakers living in Costa Rica adopt this phrase because it perfectly matches the relaxed culture. However, the Costa Ricans are the owners of the expression and know it better than them.
English Slang Expressions You Might Hear from Native Speakers in Costa Rica
English Slang Expressions You Might Hear from Native Speakers in Costa Rica
14. “That works for me”
A polite, professional-friendly phrase.
What it means: 👉 I agree / That’s okay
Example:
“Can we reschedule for Friday?” “Sure, that works for me.”
English Slang Expressions You Might Hear from Native Speakers in Costa Rica
15. “Kind of / Sort of”
You’ll hear this everywhere.
What it means: 👉 A little / Not exactly
Example:
“Do you like surfing?” “Kind of — I’m still learning.”
English Slang Expressions You Might Hear from Native Speakers in Costa Rica
16. “I’m wiped”
Another way to say you’re tired.
What it means: 👉 Very tired
Example:
“I worked all day and surfed after. I’m wiped.”
17. “Low-key”
Very popular slang.
What it means: 👉 Relaxed / Not intense / A little
Example:
“We’re having a low-key dinner tonight.”
English Slang Expressions You Might Hear from Native Speakers in Costa Rica
18. “Super”
Used differently than in Spanish.
What it means: 👉 Very / Really
Example:
“That tour was super fun.”
19. “I’m down for that”
Very casual and friendly.
What it means: 👉 I want to do it
Example:
“Want to watch the sunset?” “Yeah, I’m down for that.”
20. “That’s fair”
You’ll hear this in discussions or negotiations.
What it means: 👉 That makes sense / I agree
Example:
“Traffic was bad today.” “Yeah, that’s fair.”
Why This Is So Useful in Costa Rica
Native English speakers here often:
Speak casually, not formally
Mix English with local culture
Use relaxed, friendly language
Understanding these phrases helps you: ✅ Communicate better with tourists ✅ Feel confident with expats & coworkers ✅ Sound natural — not robotic
You don’t need to use all these expressions — but recognizing them will make conversations much easier.
And if you’re not sure, it’s totally okay to say:
“Can you explain that?”
That’s real communication — and that’s how fluency grows.
If you would like to sound more natural and confident, we can help you. At Unlimited English, all of our certified professors are native English speakers. For more information, send us a message or fill out the newsletter on the website. We look forward to hearing from you!
