Mission guide
Costa Rica San Jose West Mission
The Costa Rica San Jose West Mission serves in a Spanish-speaking country with a rich history of Church growth.
- Spanish
Costa Rica San Jose West Mission shirts
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Costa Rica San Jose West Mission T-Shirt
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Costa Rica San Jose West Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Costa Rica San Jose West 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 main language for missionaries and local members. Families can expect missionaries to use Spanish in daily teaching, worship, and service.
At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Mission
- Costa Rica San Jose West Mission
- Main city
- San José, the capital of Costa Rica
- Language
- Spanish
- Time zone
- Costa Rica Time (UTC-6)
- Church in Costa Rica
- 55,678 members, 10 stakes, 80 congregations
A short history of the area
Juan Santamaría International Airport serves the San José area and uses the airport code SJO. San José is the main city connected with the mission.
The Church here
- 1946Costa Rica was added to the Mexican Mission, and the first missionaries arrived in early September.
- 1948Missionaries left Costa Rica to avoid a national revolution.
- 1949Missionaries returned on July 24. On November 26, Victor Lopez became the first native Costa Rican baptized in his country.
- 1950The first Church conference in Costa Rica was held on June 7, and the first branch was organized on August 25.
- 1952The Central American Mission was organized separately from the Mexican Mission.
- 1965The Guatemala-El Salvador Mission was organized and included Costa Rica.
- 1974The Costa Rica Mission was organized on June 20.
- 1977The San Jose Costa Rica Stake, the first stake in the country, was created on January 20.
- 2015The Church announced the creation of a second mission in San Jose, called the Costa Rica San Jose 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 a meat or fish dish)
- Olla de carne (a hearty beef and vegetable soup)
- Ceviche (fish or seafood prepared with citrus and seasonings)
Fun facts
- San José is the capital of Costa Rica and of the province of San José, as well as a canton.
- “San José” means “Saint Joseph” in Spanish.
- Juan Santamaría International Airport is associated with San José and has the airport code SJO.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.