10 Best Costa Rican Authors Who Defied Social and Political Norms

Check out our curated list of the best Costa Rican authors offers readers a good jumping-off point to explore Costa Rican literature at its finest.

Costa Rican authors stand out among the world’s best writers for their contribution to the world of literary endeavors. Many of the best Costa Rican authors have sacrificed their names, jobs, and freedom in the name of free speech and standing up to social injustices.

A heavy leaning toward lyricism and poetry marks Costa Rican literature. As a whole, the Costa Rican literature by these authors is defined by authentic voices that demand to be heard. While it has roots in Imperialism, these authors have unveiled the truths about what it meant to be in Costa Rica during some of the most tumultuous times in history.

1. Carmen Lyra, 1887 – 1949

Carmen Lyra was a Costa Rican writer, teacher, and journalist considered one of the country’s most important cultural figures. She is well known for her children’s books, which were inspired by Costa Rican folklore and traditions. Her most famous book is Cuentos de mi Tía Panchita, which translates to Stories of my Aunt Panchita, is a group of traditional Costa Rican folk tales.

Carmen Lyra was a pseudonym used by Maria Isabel Carvajal Quesada. Lyra was born in San José in 1891 and began her career as a teacher. In addition to writing, she worked as a journalist and vocal advocate for women’s education and rights. Her passions led her to radical actions that landed her in trouble during the Costa Rican war, resulting in her losing her teaching position. She died in Mexico City, having been denied permission to return to her home country. Lyra left a legacy as one of Costa Rica’s most influential authors.

2. Fabián Dobles, 1918 – 1997

Fabián Dobles was a Costa Rican poet, novelist, and journalist considered one of the founders of modern Costa Rican literature. He is best known for his poetry collections exploring love, nature, and social justice themes. One of his most well-known poetry collections is Cantos de la Tierra, which means Songs of the Earth. He also wrote novels, among which is El Sitio de las Abras. Dobles wrote extensively about poverty and social protests and was considered as a spokesperson for the downtrodden.

Dobles was born in San José, Costa Rica, and began his career as a journalist and writer in the 1930s. In addition to his literary work, he was also an active member of the Costa Rican Communist Party and was a vocal advocate for social justice and political reform. He was even a favored candidate for an upcoming political party. He died in 1994, leaving behind a reputation as one of Costa Rica’s most influential writers and intellectuals.

3. Yolanda Oreamuno, 1916 – 1956

Yolanda Oreamuno was a Costa Rican poet, novelist, and translator known for her feminist and social justice activism. She is best known for her poetry collections, which explore themes of love, identity, and the human experience, including A lo Largo del Corto Camino, which means Along the Short Way. Another of her famous works is Poemas de la Vida y de la Muerte or Poems of Life and Death.

Oreamuno was born in San José and began her career as a writer and poet in the 1930s. In addition to her literary work, she was also an active member of the feminist movement in Costa Rica and was a vocal advocate for women’s rights and equality. Oreamuno and her husband were active communists, participating in movements to oppose the government. She died years later in the home of a friend where she was staying in Mexico City. A commemorative plaque was placed over her tomb in San Jose in 2011.

4. Ricardo Fernández Guardia, 1867 – 1950

Ricardo Fernández Guardia was a Costa Rican writer, journalist, and university professor known for his historical novels, essays, and short stories, such as Cuentos Ticos: Short Stories of Costa Rica. His novel, La Senda, which means The Path, explores the history and culture of Costa Rica during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Fernández Guardia was born in San José and began his career as a journalist and writer in the 1970s. In addition to his literary work, he worked as a university professor and a vocal advocate for education and cultural development in Costa Rica.

Guardia was a controversial figure who followed the beliefs of Spiritism, a trend that began in Costa Rica in the early part of the 20th Century. The Catholic church denounced spiritism, and Guardia was subsequently excommunicated. Guardia’s spiritism beliefs are reflected in his works. He is now remembered as one of Costa Rica’s most important historical writers. If you enjoyed our round-up of the best Costa Rican authors, we have many more articles on the best authors from around the globe. Why not check out our list of the best Colombian authors? Or use the search bar at the top right of the page to search for authors in a country or region you are interested in such as the best Peruvian authors.

5. José León Sánchez, 1929 – 2022

José León Sánchez was born in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. He is best known for his book, La Isla de los Hombres Solos, which translates to The Island of Lonely Men. The book is the story of his sentencing to 45 years and imprisonment on Isla San Lucas, the site of a Costa Rican prison. Sánchez was wrongly imprisoned for theft at the age of 20. He was held captive and imprisoned for 20 years, and during that time, he was brutally tortured, yet he never gave up fighting for justice and freedom.

The charges against Sánchez were finally dropped in 1998, and he was acquitted of all accusations of wrongdoing. La Isla de los Hombres Solos became one of the best-selling books in Latin American literature. A movie adaptation of the book was made, with a limited release in Mexico.

6. Fernando Contreras Castro, 1963 –

Fernando Contreras Castro was born in Alajuela in Costa Rica. He is known for his works of new classics in Costa Rican literature and teaches at the School of Communication at the University of Costa Rica. He is known for his socially conscious and politically engaged literature. One of his most remarkable works relating to social consciousness is Única Mirando al Mar, which means A Look at the Sea. The book is about the pollution in the world’s oceans, the divers who rummage through it, and a commentary on how natural resources on the planet are being abused.

He is also known for his novel El Corazón del Viento, translated as The Heart of the Wind, which explores the lives of indigenous communities in Costa Rica. Contreras Castro was born in San José in 1929 and began his career as a writer and poet in the 1950s. In addition to his literary work, he is also an active member of the Costa Rican Communist Party and a vocal advocate for social justice and political reform.

7. Ana Istarú, 1960 –

Ana Istarú is a Costa Rican novelist and screenwriter. She is renowned for her feminist and socially conscious literature. She is best known for her poetry collections, which explore themes of love, identity, and the human experience, including Poesía Escogida. Another well-known book of poetry by Ana Istarú is Poemas de Amor y Desamor.

Istarú was born in San José. She has won the Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts award for Latin American and Caribbean artists. She is the writer of the 2004 movie Caribe,  about a couple operating a banana plantation in Costa Rica. In addition to her literary work, she is also an active member of the feminist movement in Costa Rica and a vocal advocate for women’s rights and equality. She continues to be an essential voice in Costa Rican literature.

8. Max Jimenez, 1900 – 1947

Born in San Jose, Max Jimenez was an important author who wrote essays, short stories, and novels. His novel El Jaul is a tale of happenings in a rural town in Costa Rica. Jimenez’s works were discounted during his lifetime, and he was widely criticized for his depictions of life in Costa Rica.

Posthumously, his work is celebrated as an authentic portrayal of poverty levels among agricultural communities in Latin American countries and other parts of the world. Max Jimenez never won any recognition or awards for his work during his short life, but modern literary students value his perspective on life during those times.

9. Joaquín Gutiérrez, 1918 – 2000

Joaquín Gutiérrez was born in Limon, Costa Rica. He published his first book in 1937, a book of poems aptly titled, Poems. His second book of poetry, Jicaral, was published a year afterward. In addition to being a writer, Gutiérrez was a chess champion who traveled to Argentina for the World Chess Championship. Gutiérrez was also a banker, war correspondent, and professor during his lifetime.

He gained fame as a writer with his children’s book, Cocori, which was translated into ten languages.  Another worthy read by this author is Aunque Sea Demasiado Tarde, about a young woman who must decide between two versions of her life; one where she lives in shame and guilt and another where she would lose all the progress she’s made in her life.

In addition to his literary work, Gutiérrez was also an active member of the Costa Rican Communist Party and was a vocal advocate for social justice and political reform. Officials condemned many of his writings because of his political views and outspoken opinions, but the public values them.

10. Carlos Gagini, 1865 – 1925

Carlos Gagini was a Costa Rican scholar, philologist, linguist, and esperantist.  He was born in Costa Rica to Swiss descendants and played a significant role in Costa Rican linguistics and literature. His contributions to the field of linguistics provided the foundation for most of the academic research conducted in Costa Rica throughout the 20th century. He wrote extensively on education, language, and anthropology. One of his most engaging novels is El Arbol Enfermo, about an agricultural landowner and his daughter who captivates a man’s heart from the upper class.

Gagini advocated for the native character of Costa Rican writing, unlike other authors who drew influence from European models. As a staunch champion of nationhood and independence, Gagini critiqued imperialism. In 2001, an Esperanto memorial was established at the College of Arts and Letters at the University of Costa Rica to mark the date of his death. If you enjoyed our round-up of the best Costa Rican authors, we have many more articles on the best authors from around the globe. Check out our list of the best Mexican authors? Or use the search bar at the top right of the page to search for authors in a country or region you are interested in.