Which Central American country's name means 'rich coast'?

The Central American country whose name means “rich coast” is Costa Rica.

The Spanish phrase costa rica translates literally as “rich coast.” Early Spanish accounts associated the name with reports of gold worn by Indigenous people, although historians debate whether Christopher Columbus or conquistador Gil González Dávila first applied it. Columbus reached the Caribbean coast during his fourth voyage in 1502; Dávila explored the Pacific side in 1522.

Costa Rica became the country’s official name after independence from Spain. It occupies the narrow land bridge between Nicaragua and Panama, with coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. The name therefore describes a country with two coasts, although “rich” refers historically to expectations of mineral wealth rather than a modern economic ranking.

A common mix-up is confusing Costa Rica with Puerto Rico, whose name means “rich port.” Costa Rica is also not an island: it is a mainland country, and its capital is San José.