Famous People from Costa Rica

Three-time President of Costa Rica who abolished the military in 1948 and established the country's modern democratic institutions.

Costa Rican climate diplomat who served as Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and led the Paris Agreement negotiations.

First female President of Costa Rica (2010-2014) and former Vice President under Óscar Arias Sánchez.

Costa Rican goalkeeper who won three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid (2016-2018) and served as the national team captain.

Costa Rican forward who played for Arsenal and represented his country in two FIFA World Cups (2014, 2018).

Historian and diplomat who served as Costa Rica's 47th President (2014-2018), focusing on anti-corruption efforts and economic reforms.

Costa Rican striker who played in the English Premier League for Manchester City, West Ham United, and Derby County during the late 1990s and 2000s.

Costa Rican attacking midfielder and former national team captain who played for clubs including Fulham, PSV Eindhoven, and Sporting CP.

Economist and politician who served as President of Costa Rica from 2022 to present. He previously worked at the World Bank for over two decades.

Striker who scored 47 goals in 113 appearances for the Costa Rica national team from 1993 to 2011. He was the country's all-time leading goalscorer for many years.

Attacking midfielder who earned 43 caps for Costa Rica and was part of the 2014 World Cup squad. He also represented his country in futsal competitions.

Journalist and novelist who served as Costa Rica's 48th President (2018-2022), known for his progressive social policies and LGBTQ+ rights advocacy.

Costa Rican-American astronaut who flew seven Space Shuttle missions and holds the record for most spaceflights by any astronaut. He also developed the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) propulsion system.

Striker who scored 18 goals in 89 appearances for Costa Rica and later managed the national team. He played professionally in Europe, including spells in Spain and Austria.

Costa Rican goalkeeper who represented the national team and played professionally in Major League Soccer for clubs including Real Salt Lake.

Forward who scored 37 goals in 108 appearances for Costa Rica and was part of the 2014 World Cup quarterfinal team. He spent most of his career with Deportivo Saprissa.

Costa Rican midfielder who captained the national team and played for clubs including AIK Stockholm and Deportivo Saprissa.

Striker who scored 18 goals in 56 appearances for Costa Rica between 1999 and 2009. He later worked as an assistant coach with the national team.

Two-term President of Costa Rica who won the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end Central American conflicts through the Esquipulas Peace Agreement.

Costa Rican defender who has played professionally in European leagues and represented the national team in international matches.

Costa Rican left-back who played for Everton FC in the Premier League and was a key player in the 2014 World Cup quarter-final run.

Served as President of Costa Rica from 1998 to 2002, previously working as an economist and serving as Secretary General of the Organization of American States. He faced corruption charges after his presidency.

Psychiatrist and former television host who served as Costa Rica's 45th President (2002-2006) after a career in entertainment and medicine.

Center-back who has been a regular starter for the Costa Rica national team since 2013 and played in the 2018 World Cup. He currently plays in MLS.

Costa Rican striker who has played for clubs in MLS and Liga MX, representing his country in multiple international tournaments.

Served as President of Costa Rica from 1994 to 1998, focusing on economic modernization and environmental conservation. He is the son of former president José Figueres Ferrer.

Former Costa Rican midfielder turned coach who managed Deportivo Saprissa and represented the national team as a player in the 1990s.

Costa Rican right-back defender who played for clubs including Celtic FC and represented the national team in World Cup competitions.

Costa Rican center-back defender who played for clubs including Palermo and Columbus Crew, representing the national team in World Cup competitions.

Winger who earned 34 caps for Costa Rica and was part of the 2014 World Cup quarterfinal team. He played professionally in MLS for New York City FC and Portland Timbers.

Defender who earned 122 caps for Costa Rica and later managed the national team. He played in three World Cups as a player (1998, 2002, 2006).

Costa Rican center-back defender who played a key role in the national team's quarter-final run at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Costa Rican center-back defender who captained the national team to the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals and played professionally in MLS.

Defensive midfielder who earned over 130 caps for Costa Rica and captained the team that reached the 2014 World Cup quarterfinals. He spent most of his club career in Spain.

Costa Rican statesman who served as the first President of Costa Rica under the 1848 Constitution and helped establish the country's early democratic institutions.

Served as President of Costa Rica from 1978 to 1982, known for his commitment to neutrality during Central American conflicts. He was an economist and academic before entering politics.

Central defender who captained the Costa Rica national team and played in the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups. He has played for clubs in MLS and Liga MX.

Goalkeeper who earned 37 caps for Costa Rica and later became a coach. He played professionally in Costa Rica and served as goalkeeper coach for the national team.

Winger who represented Costa Rica at the 2014 World Cup and has earned over 80 international caps. He has played for clubs in Costa Rica, Mexico, and MLS.

Costa Rican defender and midfielder who captained the national team and later became a football coach, known for his leadership on the pitch.

Mayor of San José who was elected as Costa Rica's President in 2024, becoming the youngest person ever elected to the office.

Left-back who represented Costa Rica in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, helping the team reach the quarterfinals in Brazil. He played professionally in Europe and MLS.

Served as President of Costa Rica from 1958 to 1962 and was a career diplomat who also served as ambassador to several countries. He lived to age 95.

Costa Rican midfielder who earned over 100 caps for the national team and later transitioned into coaching after his playing career.

Versatile player who represented Costa Rica in both football and futsal, earning caps for the national team in both sports. He played professionally in Costa Rica and Guatemala.

Left-back who has represented Costa Rica since 2013 and played in the 2018 World Cup. He has played for New York City FC and FC Cincinnati in MLS.

Olympic swimmer who won Costa Rica's first Olympic medal, taking silver in the 200m freestyle at the 1996 Atlanta Games. She also won gold at the 1999 Pan American Games.

Costa Rican defensive midfielder who has played for clubs in Switzerland and MLS, representing the national team in World Cup qualifiers.

Defensive midfielder who has been a regular for Costa Rica since 2011 and played in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. He currently plays for Sporting Kansas City in MLS.

Costa Rican midfielder who has played professionally in Central American leagues and represented the national team.

Right-back who has been a key player for Costa Rica since 2018 and was part of the 2022 World Cup squad. He plays for Herediano in the Costa Rican league.

Costa Rican striker who played for the national team during the 1990s and early 2000s, competing in World Cup qualifiers.

Costa Rican goalkeeper who served as the national team's first-choice keeper and played in multiple CONCACAF Gold Cups.

Costa Rican defender and current football coach who played for the national team and several domestic clubs.

Former midfielder who managed Costa Rica to the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Cup, the country's best-ever World Cup performance. He earned 75 caps as a player.

Costa Rican defender who played professionally in Major League Soccer and represented the national team in international competitions.