Costa Rica’s official currency is the Costa Rican Colón (CRC), and it features vibrant banknotes and distinct coins that reflect the country’s rich biodiversity, cultural heritage, and national symbols. Here’s an overview of Costa Rica’s banknotes and coins, including their unique designs and features:

Banknotes / Bills

Costa Rica’s paper currency consists of ₡1,000, ₡2,000, ₡5,000, ₡10,000, ₡20,000, and ₡50,000 colones denominations. The banknotes are colorful, each featuring different historical figures and iconic ecosystems or species found in the country.

¢1.000 colones | Un Rojo | Mil Cañas

1. ₡1,000 Colones – Red Note
   • Front: Portrait of Braulio Carrillo Colina, an important Costa Rican head of state known for his contributions to national stability and development.
   • Back: Depicts a coral reef ecosystem, with images of sea turtles and vibrant marine life, representing the rich marine biodiversity of Costa Rica.

On this bill character side

Braulio Carrillo Colina was born on March 20, 1800, in San Rafael de Oreamuno, Cartago. He studied law and graduated as a lawyer. He served as a Magistrate of the Supreme Court of Justice and held the position of President of this high body. He was elected as a deputy and in 1828 became President of Congress. Additionally, he represented Costa Rica in the Federal Congress.

Carrillo served as Head of State twice, first from 1835 to 1837, and then again in May 1838 following a coup d’état. The Assembly recognized him on June 26 and swore him in two days later. He remained in power until 1842, ruling with an iron fist and instilling habits of honesty, morality, and hard work. He enthusiastically pursued the country’s development, generating progress and order in public administration.

During his administrations, he abolished the Law of the Ambulance. He firmly combated idleness and vice, repealing holidays and religious days to fight laziness. He canceled the country’s foreign debt and, on November 8, 1838, broke with the Central American Union, declaring Costa Rica a “free and independent state.” He built and operated the road to Matina, saving the country high costs in exporting coffee via the Pacific. He also enacted the so-called Carrillo General Code, the first national decree containing civil and criminal law norms and their respective procedures, and organized the judicial system. This way, Carrillo completed the country’s independence from Spain, as Spanish laws were still in use until then. He decreed the organization of courts and tribunals, and established customs tariffs and public finance and police regulations. In 1842, Francisco Morazán invaded Costa Rica, and Carrillo was overthrown; he was exiled to El Salvador, where he was assassinated on March 15, 1845. In 1971, the Legislative Assembly declared him a National Hero and Architect of the Costa Rican State.

On this bill Flora and Fauna’s side

In Costa Rica, the tropical dry forest spans the lowlands, from 0-700 meters above sea level, in the province of Guanacaste and the northern part of Puntarenas. As you move south towards the Tárcoles River, the forest gradually transitions into a tropical rainforest due to changing climatic conditions.

The pronounced dry season, from November to May, is the main factor influencing species adaptations in the tropical dry forest. These adaptations include leaf shedding to reduce water loss, animal migration to more humid areas, and the abundance of cacti. During this period, strong trade winds increase moisture loss but also aid in seed dispersal.

In the rainy season, this forest receives annual rainfall between 900-1,700 mm. With the onset of rains, the forest undergoes a dramatic transformation. Increased humidity causes leaves to sprout, covering the forest in greenery. The available light within the forest decreases, and many seeds begin to germinate.

Animals that had moved away in search of water and food return and start their reproductive activities. This is evident in the songs of birds building their nests, signaling the time for mating, nesting, and raising their young.

The fauna of this forest is as rich as its flora. It is home to howler, spider, and white-faced monkeys, deer, coatis, peccaries, raccoons, spiny rats, agoutis, pumas, armadillos, magpies, trogons, parrots, parakeets, and a great diversity of insects and spiders, among other groups.

¢2.000 Colones | Dos Rojos | Dosmil Cañas

1. ₡2,000 Colones – Light Blue Note
   • Front: Portrait of Mauro Fernández Acuña,Lawyer, Judge and Magistrate promoter of the General Law of Common Education”, an initiative that takes national education along a fundamentally scientific path and with a practical orientation.
   • Back: Coral reefs and marine flor and fauna.

On this bill character’s side

Every year on November 22nd, Costa Rica celebrates Teacher’s Day to honor the memory of a distinguished Costa Rican, Don Mauro Fernández Acuña.

Don Mauro was born on December 19, 1843. His father, Don Aureliano Fernández, died during a cholera epidemic that affected the country. His mother, Doña Mercedes Acuña, who had two other children, was left in a precarious situation. Despite great sacrifices, Doña Mercedes provided Mauro with as much education as possible. By the age of 8, he spoke English and French, read the classics, played the piano, and sang. The culture and affection he received in his childhood prepared him for his future.

He earned a law degree and served as an associate judge and fiscal magistrate of the Supreme Court of Justice. He served Costa Rica as a deputy to the Constituent Assembly in 1888 and as a deputy to the Congress of the Republic. He was a professor of Forensic Law and Minister of Finance. However, where Don Mauro left an indelible mark on our history was as Minister of Public Instruction in the government of Don Bernardo Soto. He aimed to revolutionize Costa Rican education, leading to the approval of the “General Law of Common Education” in 1886, which steered national education towards a fundamentally scientific and practical orientation.

Through his educational reform, Don Mauro Fernández achieved significant milestones, including the training of teachers, the implementation of modern teaching methods, and the organization of study programs. He opened new schools, such as the Liceo de Costa Rica, the Instituto de Alajuela, the Colegio Superior de Señoritas, and the Escuela Normal. Additionally, he approved programs for maturity exams, the Organic Regulation of Graduated Schools of Education, and founded centers for higher studies in agriculture, pharmacy, and music. He also established the school statistics office, education boards, the magazine “El Maestro,” and school supply stores.

On this bill Flora and Fauna’s side.

Costa Rica is home to both living and fossilized coral reefs of various ages, found in several locations across the country. In the Caribbean, they are located in Moín, Limón, Uvita Island, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, Manzanillo, and Punta Mona. In the Pacific, they are primarily found in Bahía Culebra, Pelonas Islands, Sámara, Dominical, Punta Mala, Golfo Dulce, Caño Island, Marino Ballena National Park—the first marine park established in Costa Rica and Central America—and Cocos Island.

These ecosystems are situated in coastal areas with clear waters that allow light to penetrate, warm temperatures (23-28°C), and shallow depths (less than 45 meters below sea level). Additionally, they require a stable surface, such as rocks, to attach to. Coral reefs can be found from near the shore to 2 or 3 kilometers offshore. They are among the most diverse, productive, and beautiful ecosystems in the world.

Due to their vibrant colors, corals, fish, and other surrounding organisms, they can be described as true underwater gardens.

Corals attach to rocks or the remains of dead corals deposited on the seabed over hundreds or thousands of years, forming genuine limestone mountain ranges. Corals are composed of small invertebrate animals called polyps, which typically live in colonies and have tentacles with stinging cells to capture their prey.

Coral reefs play a crucial role in protecting beaches from waves and continuously producing sand. Some soft corals have been used for medicinal purposes. This ecosystem is a major attraction for tourists.

¢5.000 colones | Cinco Rojos | Cincomil Cañas

1. ₡5,000 Colones – Yellow Note
   • Front: Image of Alfredo González Flores, a key figure in Costa Rica’s early 20th-century economic reforms.
   • Back: Displays a representation of the cloud forest, featuring species such as the white-faced capuchin monkey and bromeliads.

On this bill character’s side.

On July 15, 1877, in the home of Doña Elemberta Flores and Domingo González, there was unusual activity and joy. Doña Elemberta gave birth to one of the most distinguished sons of our nation: Alfredo González Flores. He graduated from the Liceo de Costa Rica and later specialized in Law and Economic Sciences, which enabled him to provide valuable services to the country, first as a Deputy in Congress and later as President of the Republic.

In 1910, while serving as a deputy, he was appointed First Designate to the Presidency and thus called to serve as President of the Republic from 1914 to 1917. He came to power because no candidate obtained an absolute majority in the 1914 elections. Thus, a twist of fate brought Costa Rica one of the most progressive administrations of all time.

Those who thought the President would be easily influenced were mistaken. González Flores was a statesman, a visionary with extraordinary intellectual capacity. He was convinced that the country needed to change course and pursue comprehensive development. His economic and social reforms were impactful. These included the inconvertibility of the currency, savings, gold control, bond issuance, bank creation, land and income taxes, based on the premise that the rich should pay as the rich and the poor as the poor.

González Flores was ahead of his time, but his revolutionary measures affected significant interests. His Minister of War, Federico Tinoco, ultimately led a military coup against him on January 27, 1917. He went into exile in the United States, and upon his return to the country, he did not re-engage in partisan politics; however, he continued to serve Costa Rica in numerous public roles with dignity and transparency.

On this bill flora and fauna’s side.

In Costa Rica’s Pacific region, mangroves are primarily found at the mouths of the Tempisque, Bebedero, Tárcoles, Parrita, Térraba, and Sierpe rivers, as well as in the gulfs of Papagayo, Nicoya, and Dulce, and the bays of Santa Elena, Salinas, Tamarindo, and Herradura. On the Caribbean coast, they are located in Moín and the Gandoca Lagoon. Mangroves cover approximately 1% of the national territory. During high tide, these forests are flooded with saltwater; in river mouths, the salinity decreases as it mixes with freshwater.

The high diversity of aquatic species in mangroves is due to their high production of organic matter and the variety of environments resulting from salinity variations. These coastal forests serve as spawning, feeding, and development grounds for many marine animals, and provide shelter and food for numerous birds, mammals, and insects.

Costa Rica hosts several species of mangroves, commonly known as red mangrove, pineapple mangrove, black mangrove, white mangrove, and buttonwood mangrove. Among their roots live shells, crabs, snails, and larvae of shrimp and fish, forming a very complex community. In the canopies of these forests, a multitude of birds such as herons, kingfishers, and mangrove hummingbirds reside. On their branches, you can find iguanas, snakes, white-faced monkeys, raccoons, lizards, and bats. There is also a large number of crickets, mosquitoes, sandflies, spiders, and scorpions.

¢10.000 colones | Diez Rojos | Diezmil Cañas

1. ₡10,000 Colones – Green Note
   • Front: Portrait of José Figueres Ferrer, known as “Don Pepe,” who abolished the country’s army in 1948 and promoted democracy.
   • Back: Showcases a Tropical Rain Forest ecosystem with images of the Sloth and other wildlife, symbolizing Costa Rica’s rich tropical rain forests.

On this bill character’s side.

This man of profound and innovative thought was born on September 25, 1906. He studied in the United States, and upon returning to Costa Rica, he settled on the “La Lucha” farm, where he began cultivating agave and coffee. However, destiny had a different path for this countryside lover turned entrepreneur. He decided to speak out because he disagreed with the direction Costa Rica was taking. To him, democracy was being tarnished, and public freedoms no longer existed. In 1942, he delivered a speech on the radio expressing his dissatisfaction with the government, but he was arrested before he could finish and subsequently deported to Mexico. This was just the beginning.

In 1948, José Figueres took up arms after the Congress annulled the elections, in which Don Otilio Ulate Blanco was the legitimate winner. His friend Francisco Orlich opened a second front in the north of the country, leading Costa Rica into a civil war. After a little over two months, the government forces surrendered, and Figueres entered San José, hailed as a hero.

The Founding Junta of the Second Republic was established, with José Figueres as President. This Junta laid the foundation for modern Costa Rica, with its decrees strengthening democracy and achieving significant social advancements. In a remarkable example to the world, the army was dissolved. On November 7, 1949, the new Political Constitution, still in effect today, came into force. The next day, the Junta handed over power to Don Otilio Ulate. Figueres Ferrer founded the National Liberation Party on October 12, 1951, which brought him to the Presidency twice, from 1953 to 1958 and from 1970 to 1974. The achievements of his governments are numerous, including:

• Creation of the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE)
• Nationalization of the banking system
• Creation of INVU
• Creation of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute
• Creation of the Mixed Institute of Social Aid
• Creation of the General Directorate of Social Adaptation
• Creation of the Costa Rican Institute of Technology
• Creation of the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports
• Nationalization of the Atlantic Railroad
• Creation of the National Symphony Orchestra
• Creation of the National University
• Creation of the National Commission on Indigenous Affairs
• Enactment of the Family Code
• Nationalization of RECOPE
• Universalization of Social Security
• Transfer of hospitals to the Costa Rican Social Security Fund

Modern Costa Rica bears his indelible mark. His struggles and commitments to these causes make him the most significant public figure and leader in the country’s history, earning him recognition as Costa Rica’s Person of the 20th Century. The leader of the Second Republic passed away on June 8, 1990, and was declared a National Hero on November 12 of the same year.

On this Bill Flora and Fauna’s side

The tropical rainforest is one of the most diverse and lush ecosystems in the world. In Costa Rica, it used to be the most extensive, found in the lowlands up to 700 meters above sea level, and in very rainy areas such as the Central and South Pacific, the Northern Zone, and the Caribbean. Due to heavy deforestation at the end of the last century, this forest is now highly fragmented, with its largest remnants protected as national parks or biological reserves.

This ecosystem is a complex and dense forest, where trees reach heights of 40-55 meters. The trees generally have umbrella-shaped canopies, wide crowns, and long trunks, often with high, smooth, and slender buttresses.

This forest boasts a greater diversity of plants and animals per unit area than any other type of forest. A single tree in a tropical rainforest can host more species of animals than an entire forest in higher latitudes. The various forms of animal and plant life occupy a wide range of specialized environments in the different strata of the forest.

¢20.000 colones | Veinte Rojos | Veintemil Cañas

1. ₡20,000 Colones – Orange Note
   • Front: Portrait of Carmen Lyra, a celebrated Costa Rican writer and educator, and a pioneer of children’s literature in the country.
   • Back: Features a scene of Paramo, home to the Hummingbird and the rabbits and other species.

On this bill character’s side.

In 1888, one of the most vivid examples of struggle and determination in national history was born in this house: María Isabel Carvajal, known as Carmen Lyra. She was an extraordinary woman who faced the challenges of her time without hesitation, helping the marginalized and fighting for the social and political rights of her beloved people, a love that was mutual and passionate.

She earned a scholarship to further her studies in preschool education at the Sorbonne University in Paris. Upon her return, she founded and directed the maternal school in the Metálico building, the first educational center with this focus in Costa Rica, primarily serving underprivileged children. She was also the first professor of children’s literature at the Escuela Normal. Carmen Lyra left a legacy of vital importance to national culture. She initiated children’s narrative in Costa Rica and helped promote the social realist trend in literature.

From a young age, her social sensitivity and concerns led her to participate in various social and political activities. Her relentless fight against the Tinoco brothers’ government was the breeding ground for her combative life. With extraordinary courage and vehemence, she led students, women, and workers to destabilize the Tinoco dictatorship.

Following these events, Carmen Lyra became an icon for her people and continued to fight against injustices, becoming a fundamental part of the popular movements in the first half of the 20th century. She dedicated herself entirely to political action, standing out as a journalist and a skilled leader of the Costa Rican Communist Party. In the field of writing, she began with the help of her friend Joaquín García Monge, who described her in the Repertorio Americano: “Carmen Lyra, with her modest humanity, became the symbol of her country’s freedom. It seemed unbelievable that such a small and fragile body could harbor a soul so sweet and great at the same time.

The teacher who had made love and beauty her gospel to dedicate herself to the children of her country, the writer of ‘Tío Silvestre,’ full of humanity and optimism, was destined to also embody the civic courage and unyielding republican spirit of the Costa Rican people.” She wrote several stories and tales for school texts and published some stories deeply committed to the most dispossessed people. However, the unforgettable work that immortalized her forever is “Los cuentos de mi tía Panchita,” considered a classic in Costa Rican literature. She died in Mexico in 1949, where she had been exiled since the end of the 1948 war, and was recognized as a National Heroine in July 1976.

On this bill Flora and Fauna’s side

The páramo is a mountain ecosystem with varied herbaceous vegetation, generally without trees, and if present, they are small, dense, and isolated. These landscapes are cold, inhospitable, and humid. The páramo is mainly found on the highest peaks of the country, above 2,800 meters above sea level, in the Cerro de la Muerte (Buenavista and Vueltas), Chirripó, and Kámuk in the Talamanca Mountain Range. It is also present on the summits of the Irazú and Turrialba volcanoes in the Central Volcanic Range.

This ecosystem experiences very high rainfall, ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 mm annually, which is not evenly distributed throughout the year. October is the wettest month, while February and March are the driest. Due to its location, the páramo receives high ultraviolet radiation, which is reduced by the presence of clouds. Temperatures in the páramo range from 2°C to 30°C, occasionally dropping below freezing at dawn, with fluctuations of up to 27°C between the minimum and maximum temperatures in a single day.

The vegetation of the páramo mainly consists of small-leaved, low-growing herbs and shrubs. Dwarf bamboos, such as chusquea, as well as grasses and ferns, are abundant. In poorly drained areas, small swamps called peat bogs form, composed of partially decomposed plant matter.

Various species of insects and spiders inhabit the páramo, along with some mammals like rabbits and coyotes, two species of lizards, one species of salamander, and common birds such as the volcano hummingbird, junco, sooty robin, and yellow-thighed finch. Despite the abundance of lakes and streams, there are no fish. Some animals reduce their metabolism to the point of not moving until the sun warms them. At night, it is common for some mammals from nearby forests, such as mountain goats, pumas, and ocelots, to visit.

¢50.000 colones | Cincuenta Rojos | Cincuentamil Cañas

NOT IN CIRCULATION SINCE 2018

1. ₡50,000 Colones – Purple Note
   • Front: Portrait of Ricardo Jiménez Oreamuno, a three-time president known for his contributions to democracy and judicial independence.
   • Back: Depicts the cloud forest ecosystem, with images of the Morpho Butterfly and other species adapted to the unique climate of the tropical cloud forest.

On this bill character’s side.

On January 4, 1945, at the age of 86, Don Ricardo Jiménez Oreamuno passed away. Shortly before his death, he requested to be buried without official pomp and with absolute simplicity.

He said before dying:

“When my life ends, I do not wish for honors over my body; I do not want speeches by my grave, and instead of the notes of the National Mourning, I prefer the sound of the generous and good earth that I have so loved and admired, falling over my remains, giving me asylum and eternal oblivion.”

Don Ricardo epitomized, more than any other public figure of his time or ours, the virtues and limitations of our people. He stood out among politicians for his miraculous intuition, which made him the master of the national public stage for half a century.

He was a typical Costa Rican liberal who did not want an all-powerful state for his country. He fought to maintain public liberties, believed in law and education, always defended the persecuted, and upheld the principle of a respectful separation between Church and State until the end. He held the three highest public offices in the government of the Republic: President of the Constitutional Congress, President of the Supreme Court of Justice, and three times President of the Republic.

His accomplishments are many, including: rebuilding the city of Cartago after the 1910 earthquake, promoting the construction of public buildings, roads, bridges, pipelines, and the Puntarenas dock. He created the Mortgage Credit Bank, the National Insurance Bank, the General Directorate of Post, the School of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Health. He completed the electrification of the Pacific railroad.

Declared a National Hero in 1942, Don Ricardo Jiménez is essential in our history. His impact is profound; his talent and powerful personality transcend time.

On this bill Flora and Fauna’s side.

Costa Rica’s cloud forests are found in the high-altitude regions of the mountain ranges, on the main peaks of the Osa Peninsula, and on Cocos Island, at elevations between 500 and 3,500 meters above sea level. These forests are characterized by the persistent presence of clouds or mist, which leads to high precipitation and humidity, low temperatures, and reduced solar radiation.

The trees in the tropical cloud forest are relatively short, with twisted branches, small and tough leaves, and are densely covered with mosses and epiphytes. The understory—the lower part of the forest—is notable for the presence of bamboos, ferns, and a ground layer covered with mosses and decomposing organic matter.

Cloud forests are home to birds such as the resplendent quetzal, the bellbird, the eagle, the green toucanet, a variety of hummingbirds, and pollinating bats. Common mammals include howler monkeys, olingos, gray foxes, sloths, anteaters, jaguars, pumas, and armadillos.

These forests were also home to the golden toad, a species now considered extinct, possibly due to global warming. Cloud forests are a priority in national conservation efforts, especially because of their importance in recharging aquifers.

Each banknote also includes security features such as watermarks, security threads, and raised textures for the visually impaired, making them not only visually striking but also secure and accessible.

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Coins:

Costa Rica’s coins are minted in denominations of ₡5, ₡10, ₡25, ₡50, ₡100, and ₡500 colones. The designs highlight various national symbols and are made from different metals, with distinctive sizes and colors.

₡5 and ₡10 Colones:

• These smaller denominations are made of nickel-plated steel and are silver in color. Both feature the text “Banco Central de Costa Rica” and a small depiction of the country’s national coat of arms.

₡25 and ₡50 Colones:

• Made of brass-plated steel and golden in appearance, these coins are slightly larger and heavier than the lower denominations. The coat of arms is prominently displayed, along with the denomination and the issuing year.

₡100 Colones:

• This coin is silver in color and larger than the lower denominations. It features the national coat of arms, which symbolizes the country’s independence and maritime heritage, along with the denomination value.

₡500 Colones:

• The highest-value coin, made of bi-metal (nickel and brass), has a distinct two-tone appearance. It includes the national coat of arms and is embossed with “500” to represent its value.

Other ¢500 colones coins for celebrations that are valid.

₡500 commemorative coin: 200 years of Costa Rica’s independence.

₡500 commemorative coin: 175 years of the Foundation of the Republic of Costa Rica.

₡500 commemorative coin: 75 years of the Abolition of the Army.

₡500 commemorative coin: 200 years of the Annexation of the Nicoya Party to Costa Rica.

Interesting Features of Costa Rican Currency:

• The banknotes are designed to be environmentally friendly, made from a durable polymer material that is resistant to wear and moisture.
• Each banknote’s back design emphasizes Costa Rica’s commitment to conservation, highlighting specific ecosystems and the animals native to these areas.

This unique mix of vibrant colors, historical figures, and ecological themes makes Costa Rican currency not only practical but also a representation of the country’s identity and values.