The Government of Costa Rica - The World Countries

Costa Rica - Government

Based on the etymolgy of Costa Rica, it was the name means "rich coast" in Spanish; Christopher COLUMBUS named it in 1502, referring to the region's abundant vegetation and water. The Government system in this country is the presidential republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose

National symbols

Yiguirro (clay-colored thrush).

The flag

The National flag of Costa Rica has .

The National Anthem

Title
Lyric/music

More about the government of Costa Rica

Constitution
Date of Independence	15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday	Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Legal system	civil law system based on Spanish civil code; Supreme Court reviews legislative acts
International law organization participation	accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
History	Many previous; latest effective 8 November 1949
Amendment process	Proposals require the signatures of at least 10 Legislative Assembly members or petition of at least 5% of qualified voters; consideration of proposals requires two-thirds majority approval in each of three readings by the Assembly, followed by preparation of the proposal as a legislative bill and its approval by simple majority of the Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership; a referendum is required only if approved by at least two thirds of the Assembly
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth	yes
Citizenship by descent only	yes
Dual citizenship recognized	yes
Residency requirement for naturalization	7 years
Executive Branch
Chief of state	President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022)
Head of government	President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022)
Cabinet	Cabinet selected by the president
Election/appointment process	president and vice presidents directly elected on the same ballot by modified majority popular vote (40% threshold) for a 4-year term (eligible for non-consecutive terms)
Most recent election date	6 February 2022, with a runoff on 3 April 2022
Election results	2022: Rodrigo CHAVES Robles elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jose Maria FIGUERES Olsen (PLN) 27.3%, Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (PPSD) 16.8%, Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PNR) 14.9%, Eliecer FEINZAIG Mintz (PLP) 12.4%, Lineth SABORIO Chaverri (PUSC) 12.4%, Jose Maria VILLALTA Florez-Estrada 8.7% (PFA), other 7.5%; percent of vote in second round - Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (PPSD) 52.8%, Jose Maria FIGUERES Olsen (PLN) 47.2% 2018: Carlos ALVARADO Quesada elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PRN) 25%; Carlos ALVARADO Quesada (PAC) 21.6%; Antonio ALVAREZ (PLN) 18.6%; Rodolfo PIZA (PUSC) 16%; Juan Diego CASTRO (PIN) 9.5%; Rodolfo HERNANDEZ (PRSC) 4.9%, other 4.4%; percent of vote in second round - Carlos ALVARADO Quesada (PAC) 60.7%; Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PRN) 39.3%
Expected date of next election	February 2026 (a runoff, if needed, will take place in April 2026)
Legislative branch
Legislature name	Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa)
Legislative structure	Unicameral
Number of seats	57 (all directly elected)
Electoral system	Proportional representation
Scope of elections	Full renewal
Term in office	4 years
Most recent election date	2/6/2022
Parties elected and seats per party	National Liberation Party (PLN) (19); Democratic Social Progress Party (PPSD) (10); Christian Social Unity Party (USC) (9); New Republic Party (NR) (7); Broad Front (FA) (6); Progressive Liberal Party (LP) (6)
Percentage of women in chamber	49.1%
Expected date of next election	February 2026
Judicial branch
Highest court(s)	Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 22 judges organized into 3 cassation chambers each with 5 judges and the Constitutional Chamber with 7 judges)
Judge selection and term of office	Supreme Court of Justice judges elected by the National Assembly for 8-year terms with renewal decided by the National Assembly
Subordinate courts	Appellate courts; trial courts; first instance and justice of the peace courts; Superior Electoral Tribunal
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador Catalina CRESPO SANCHO (since 19 April 2023)
Chancery	2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone	[1] (202) 499-2980
FAX	[1] (202) 265-4795
Email address and website	[email protected] https://www.embassycr.org/
Consulate(s) general	Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington DC
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Jennifer SAVAGE (since August 2025)
Embassy	Calle 98 Via 104, Pavas, San Jose
Mailing address	3180 St. George's Place, Washington DC 20521-3180
Telephone	[506] 2519-2000
FAX	[506] 2519-2305
Email address and website	[email protected] https://cr.usembassy.gov/
National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites	4 (1 cultural, 3 natural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales	Guanacaste Conservation Area (n); Cocos Island National Park (n); Precolumbian Stone Spheres (c); La Amistad International Park (n)