Costa Rican Music

Like most Latin American cultures, music plays an important role in Costa Rican life. Wether it's modern American rock, or classic Latin tunes, Costa Ricans love to play, listen, and dance to a wide variety of musical genres.

They listen to it all in Costa Rica

Costa Rican's love music. Believe it or not, many locals have an affinity for American and British contemporary rock, as well as popular hits from the 70's and 80's. But when it comes to a night out on the town, Costa Rica car rental travelers can expect to hear plenty of traditional Latin rhythms, including salsa, merengue, cumbia, lambada, and soca. And the rumors are true – Costa Rica's do love to dance! On the weekends, Costa Rica car rental travelers will find local discos and dance halls packed as even the most conservative local resident will want to let loose and dance the night away.

Types of popular local music

Before you can hit the dance floor on your upcoming Costa Rica car rental vacation, make sure you brush up on your local musical tastes. The following are a few of the most popular Costa Rican musical genres:

1. Classical Music

While you won't hear this pumping from the speakers of a local disco hall, you may catch a chord or two at a local coffee shop. The local Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional has received international acclaim under the direction of their current conductor, Chosei Komatsu, and is now considered one of the best major orchestras in Latin America. Costa Rica car rental travelers who enjoy classic music can catch concerts and performances at the Teatro Mozart in San Jose, as well as the Costa Rican and North American Cultural Center.

2. Folk Music

The most genuine form of Costa Rican folk music is sang alongside a marimba, an African-derived instrument that's very popular in Costa Rica. Common folk songs include stories, recipes, anecdotes, and tongue twisters set to this distinctive musical tune. A local folk group worth checkin out is Cantares. Authentic Costa Rica folk music can be heard everywhere – in the streets, at the local market, in restaurants. Marimba instruments can also be purchased at local shops and market places.

3. Jazz

This may seem like an odd strain of music to find in Costa Rica, but it's actually quite popular. Costa Rica car rental travelers will find numerous jazz cafes and restaurants in and around the Escazu and San Jose areas. New and established musicians are always on the docket, playing acoustic and full band sets.

4. Calypso

Get into the island rhythm during your upcoming Costa Rica car rental vacation with some traditional calypso music in San Jose. On the Caribbean coast, calypso music is rooted in African rhythms, so don't be surprised if you hear plenty of steel drums and reggae beats as you travel through the streets. The very essence of calypso music is to communicate and tell stories (the music's origins are in Trinidad where slaves used the music to communicated and express their culture), so make sure you really listen to the words. Costa Rica car rental travelers are encouraged to catch a show by local talent Walter Ferguson of Cahuita, Costa Rica. His songs focus on his childhood in poverty stricken Panama.

5. Contemporary Costa Rican Artists

There are a few contemporary musical artists that call Costa Rica home. Costa Rica car rental travelers will often hear hit singles from a band called Malpais on the local radio station. This unique group blends traditional folk music with contemporary rock and jazz, to create a unique fusion of the old and new.