Costa Ricans call themselves ticos (women: ticas). The nickname comes from a linguistic habit: where most Spanish speakers use -ito as a diminutive, Costa Ricans use -ico — so momento becomes momentico. Visitors from other countries started calling them ticos, and it stuck.
The country has around 5 million people, with roughly 60% living in the Central Valley. The population is predominantly mestizo; about 2% is Afro-Caribbean, concentrated along the Caribbean coast where English Creole is widely spoken alongside Spanish. Several indigenous groups — Bribri, Cabécar, Boruca, and others — live in the mountains and southern Caribbean zone, though their total numbers are small.
Costa Ricans are generally friendly and relatively reserved by Central American standards. Hospitality is genuine. The phrase pura vida — literally "pure life" — functions as hello, goodbye, thank you, you're welcome, and a general affirmation that everything is fine. Use it freely; ticos will appreciate it.
The country has a strong tradition of peace, democracy, and environmental conservation that locals take genuine pride in. The army was abolished in 1948. Education is taken seriously — literacy is above 97% — and the public healthcare system, while uneven in quality, is one of the better ones in Latin America. These facts come up in conversation naturally and without boasting; they're simply part of how Costa Ricans understand their country.
Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken in tourist areas and among educated professionals in the cities. On the Caribbean coast, English Creole (Mekatelyu) is the first language for many residents.