The Costa Rican Colón: A Journey Through History, Nature, and Local Slang

If you are planning a trip to Costa Rica or simply have a passion for numismatics, the local currency offers a fascinating window into the country's rich heritage and vibrant ecosystems. The official currency of Costa Rica is the colón (plural: colones), and it is much more than just a means of exchange.

Let's dive into the history, local nicknames, and beautiful designs of the Costa Rican colón!

A Brief History: From Pesos to Colones

The story of the colón began in 1896 when it was introduced to replace the Costa Rican peso at par. The currency was named in honor of Christopher Columbus, who is known in Spanish as Cristóbal Colón.

During the first half of the 20th century, colones were issued by several different private and state-owned banks, including the Banco Anglo–Costarricense and the Banco de Costa Rica. However, since 1951, the Central Bank of Costa Rica (Banco Central de Costa Rica) has been the sole issuer of the currency.

Speak Like a Local: Costa Rican Money Slang

When you visit Costa Rica, you might hear locals using colorful slang to refer to their cash. Here is a quick guide to understanding Tico money lingo:

• Caña: A slang term (meaning sugar cane) historically used for amounts under 100 colones in multiples of ten (e.g., 10 cañas, 20 cañas).
• Teja: Meaning "roof tile," this is the popular term for a 100-colón coin. A 500-colón coin is playfully called "cinco tejas" (five roof tiles).
• Un Rojo: The 1,000-colón note is known as a "rojo" (red) because of its striking red color.
• Tucán & Puma: The 5,000-colón note is affectionately nicknamed the tucán (toucan) because it used to feature a toucan, while the 10,000-colón note is known as un puma after the puma that graced a previous version.

A Tribute to Biodiversity: Modern Polymer Banknotes

In 2011 and 2012, Costa Rica revamped its banknotes, introducing different colors and sizes for each denomination to help the visually impaired and update security features. Between 2020 and 2021, these designs were transitioned into durable polymer notes.

What makes these bills truly spectacular is that each denomination highlights a different Costa Rican ecosystem and its native wildlife on the reverse side:

• 1,000 Colones (Red): Features the dry forest, highlighting the Guanacaste tree and the white-tailed deer.
• 2,000 Colones (Blue): Showcases the coral reef ecosystem, complete with a bull shark and a red cushion sea star.
• 5,000 Colones (Yellow): Depicts a mangrove swamp, featuring a white-headed capuchin monkey and a mangrove crab.
• 10,000 Colones (Green): Celebrates the lush rainforest and includes an illustration of a brown-throated sloth.
• 20,000 Colones (Orange): Highlights the high-altitude paramo ecosystem, featuring a volcano hummingbird.
• 50,000 Colones (Violet): Features the cloud forest, adorned with a morpho butterfly and parasol mushroom.

Whether you are admiring the bimetallic coins or the colorful polymer bills, the colón is a beautiful reflection of Costa Rica’s history and its world-famous commitment to preserving nature.

Have you ever collected Costa Rican currency or encountered these beautiful bills in person? Share your experiences in the comments below!