Costa Rica — Stamps & Postal Service

Postal Service Overview

Correos de Costa Rica is the Central American nation’s postal operator. Costa Rica, famous for its biodiversity and progressive environmental policies (the country generates nearly all its electricity from renewable sources), has issued stamps since 1863. The country’s extraordinary natural wealth — encompassing 5% of the world’s biodiversity in a territory smaller than West Virginia — makes its stamps particularly attractive to wildlife and environmental thematic collectors. Costa Rica has no standing army, a distinction sometimes reflected in peace-themed stamps.

Notable Stamp Issues

Costa Rica’s 1863 first stamps were printed in London depicting the national coat of arms. The 1881 definitives introduced portrait designs. Costa Rica’s 1901 Issues featuring the Picado-era coat of arms are classic Central American stamps. The country has produced many outstanding wildlife stamps featuring the resplendent quetzal, scarlet macaw, three-toed sloth, poison dart frog, leatherback sea turtle, and jaguar — biodiversity themes that attract global collector attention. Monteverde Cloud Forest and Corcovado National Park appear on nature stamps.

Collecting Tips

Scott Latin America catalogue covers Costa Rican stamps. Classic Costa Rican stamps (1863–1900) are modestly priced and historically interesting. Wildlife stamps from Costa Rica are popular with topical collectors — particularly the quetzal (shared with Guatemala as a national bird symbol). The resplendent quetzal stamps are among the most beautiful bird stamps from Central America. Costa Rica’s coffee industry has appeared on stamps — popular with beverage thematic collectors. The country’s lack of a military is a unique constitutional distinction sometimes featured on peace stamps.

Part of the Americas Postal Directory.