Costa Rica Music - The culture of Costa Rica is a unique mixture of indigenous and Spanish elements. And like in most such Caribbean countries Costa Rica is no different in its great musical tradition. You can see it at once in the way the people talk, walk. They live, breathe and exude music—their music, calypso. The name evokes not only the gyrating bodies swinging to percussion beats emanating from instruments such as the marimba, but also the setting—the Caribbean beaches where the colors are "squeezed directly from the tube". This colorfulness is an integral part of their lives and culture, including the various traditions of folk or indigenous music.

The Costa Rican calypso is distinct from the more widely-known tradition as prevalent in Trinidad. In recent years the more traditional instruments like the ocarina are being replaced with accordions and guitars. Guancaste is a region famous for Costa Rican folk music. There are various styles of music within the broader tradition of calypso which are regional in their origin and existence. Apart from the Guanacaste style there are other styles based in regions such as Talamanca (famous for its Danza de los Huelos) and Boruca (known for its Danza de los Diablitos).

The folk music in Costa Rica never had much mainstream acceptance outside the country (such as the music of the Jamaican Harry Belafonte whose album Calypso was very popular). Certain jazz infused varieties as expounded by the Grammy winning band Editus had limited following outside the country. Maybe it is because of its limited popularity in mainstream culture that the folk music of this country still retains such a tremendous charm.

The Costa Rican calypso has retained, in its unmixed and undiluted form, its roots. It originated as a form of communication between the African slaves who were not allowed to talk to each other. The haunting melodies and the cheerful rhythms retain the pain and nostalgia as well as the innate enjoyment of music.

Mainstream rock and roll are also very popular in Costa Rica. There are a lot of enthusiasts who prefer frequenting the discos. Latin music is also very popular particularly varieties like soca, salsa , meringue, cumbia, etc. The emerging bands (such as Gandhi, Evolución, Alma Bohemia, Insano, Malpaís, etc.) in recent times often effect a smooth blend of the various popular traditions of music from jazz and Latin to reggae and rock—along with a touch of the folk (of course!)

Even the admirers of classical European music have nothing to lose for Costa Rica has its very own Chamber Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra. In fact, the country is also the first in Central America to have its own professional choir.