Sidebar #46 - Ticos in the US

A joke I’ve heard on occasion in Costa Rica is that the country’s eighth province is New Jersey. The largest Costa Rican diaspora does live in the US, particularly in New Jersey; however, far fewer Costa Ricans emigrate compared to other neighbors in Central America, especially in the “Northern Triangle”. There are several reasons for this, but the lack of emigration can almost certainly be tied to Costa Rica’s strong economy, stable government, and democratic values. Because of this, you’re far less likely to see a restaurant specializing in Costa Rican cuisine in the US than you are to come across an establishment like a taquería or pupusería. Many Costa Ricans, or Ticos enjoy traveling to the US too. Most Ticos I know who have previously traveled to the US have been to places like (the aforementioned) New Jersey, Orlando, Miami, California, or Texas. On the other hand, many Costa Ricans haven’t had the chance to visit us stateside even though they’d like to. It is easier for Costa Ricans to obtain an American visa than nationalities from other nearby countries. However, many Ticos I’ve talked to bemoan how difficult the process can be - that it sometimes takes well over a year just to receive a screening interview. Many also fear tighter restrictions and greater discrimination towards latinos under the incumbent administration, and it is hard to blame them for that. My hope is that if (or when) Costa Rica qualifies for next year’s World Cup, we’ll see the Tica diaspora (and Ticos visiting) out in full force.