Sports in Costa Rica: Passion, Athletes & Local Culture
- Alejandro Saravia
- Aug 27
- 2 min read
Costa Rica is known for its beaches and wildlife, but sports are also at the heart of the nation’s identity. Whether you’re a die-hard soccer fan or just curious about local culture, here’s what you should know about sports in Costa Rica.
The King of Sports: Fútbol
National Obsession: Fútbol is the most popular sport in Costa Rica. Every weekend, stadiums and living rooms fill with fans cheering for their teams.
Key Clubs: Saprissa, Alajuelense, and Herediano are the top local teams.
National Team (La Sele): Famous for reaching the 2014 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals, making history on the global stage.
Famous Costa Rican Football Players
Keylor Navas: One of the world’s best goalkeepers, played for Real Madrid and PSG.
Bryan Ruiz: Legendary captain, symbol of leadership.
Joel Campbell: Known for his speed and international career.
Surfing & Adventure Sports
Costa Rica is a world-class surf destination, hosting competitions in Playa Hermosa, Tamarindo, and Pavones.
Brisa Hennessy: Olympic surfer and one of Costa Rica’s most celebrated athletes.
Adventure sports like mountain biking, white-water rafting, and trail running are growing fast, attracting global athletes.
BMX & Extreme Sports
One of Costa Rica’s brightest stars in recent years is Keneth Tencio, a BMX freestyle rider from Cartago.
He represented Costa Rica in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, finishing 4th in BMX freestyle.
Known for his daring tricks and high-energy performances, he’s put Costa Rica on the global extreme sports map.
His story inspires young athletes across the country to chase their dreams, no matter the odds.
Paralympic Achievements
Costa Rica also shines in the Paralympic arena.
Sherman
Guity is a celebrated Paralympic athlete and gold medalist, representing the country on the global stage.
His achievements demonstrate Costa Rica’s dedication to inclusive sports and inspire many aspiring athletes.
Other Popular Sports
Volleyball & Beach Volleyball – Played at the beaches year-round.
Boxing: Hannah Gabriels is one of Costa Rica’s boxing champions.
Athletics: Costa Rican runners often shine in Central American competitions.
Experiencing Sports as a Tourist
Catch a local football match – the energy is contagious.
Try surfing lessons.
Visit Jacó or Cartago, where BMX culture thrives thanks to Tencio’s influence.
Join a pickup volleyball game on the beach.
At Your Local Amigos, we help you connect with the sports culture of Costa Rica — from getting tickets to big matches, to finding the best surf or BMX spots. It’s the perfect way to feel the pura vida spirit.
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