Mission guide
Costa Rica San Jose East Mission
Costa Rica San José East Mission serves in a country where Spanish, Church history, and warm community life meet.
- Spanish
Costa Rica San Jose East Mission shirts
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Costa Rica San Jose East Mission T-Shirt
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Costa Rica San Jose East Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Costa Rica San Jose East Mission Flag Map Shirt
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Choose size & color →I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission
2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
Weak Things Become Strong, in the language of this mission
"I make weak things become strong" (Ether 12:27) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
About the mission
Spanish is the mission language and the everyday language of Costa Rica.
At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Main city
- San José
- Language
- Spanish
- Time zone
- Central Standard Time (UTC-6)
- Church in Costa Rica
- 55,678 members, 10 stakes, 80 congregations
- Family history
- 29 FamilySearch Centers
A short history of the area
Juan Santamaría International Airport serves the San José area and uses the airport code SJO.
The Church here
- 1946Missionaries arrived in Costa Rica after the First Presidency authorized the Mexican Mission to add the country to its work.
- 1948Missionaries left Costa Rica to avoid a national revolution.
- 1949Missionaries returned on July 24, in time to join a Pioneer Day celebration with Church members.
- 1949Victor Lopez became the first native Costa Rican baptized in his country on November 26.
- 1950The first Church conference in Costa Rica was held on June 7, with about 70 people attending.
- 1950The first branch in Costa Rica was organized on August 25.
- 1951Property for the first chapel was purchased.
- 1974The Costa Rica Mission was organized on June 20.
- 1977The San José Costa Rica Stake was created on January 20, and an area conference followed one month later.
- 2015The Costa Rica San José Mission was divided into the Costa Rica San José East Mission and the Costa Rica San José West Mission.
Temples nearby
San José Costa Rica Temple
Dedicated June 4, 2000 · Near San Jose
The Book of Mormon here
Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.
Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Before you go
Phrases to learn
- HolaHello
- ¿Cómo está?How are you?
- GraciasThank you
- Por favorPlease
Foods to try
- Gallo pinto (rice and beans often served for breakfast)
- Casado (a plate with rice, beans, salad, and meat)
- Olla de carne (beef and vegetable soup)
- Chorreadas (fresh corn pancakes)
Fun facts
- San José, Costa Rica, is the capital of the country, province, and canton with the same name.
- San José means “Saint Joseph” in Spanish.
- Juan Santamaría International Airport, which serves San José, has the code SJO.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.