Country Dictionary

cacique

1. Chief indian of a smaller tribe. Designation used in the present day Mesoamerican region (between Guatemala and Colombia).

2. Costa Rican sugar cane liquor. Not very different from rubbing alcohol. Cheap enough that can be found everywhere in the country and is used in any kind of mixed drink or sometimes even food.

Guaro Cacique is sold in Costa Rica and manufactured by the Fabrica Nacional de Licores.

maje

Costarrican word similar in meaning to dunce, dummy, or idiot. Someone lacking mental dexterity. Not to be confused with the also Costarrican mae, which is equivalent to the American dude.

Mae, no seas tan maje!
Dude, don't be such an idiot!

Guaro

1. In Costa Rica, a sugar cane liquor branded under the name Cacique. Used for shots, mixed drinks, and even cooking.

2. In Costa Rica and Colombia, a generic name for any and all booze. Note however that guaro is a particular liquor as described above. Similar to the usage of the word "coke" for all softdrinks in the midwestern US.

3. In Colombia, aguardiente is a more processed and flavored guaro.

Anoche dormí en el suelo, dormí en el suelo teniendo cama, por culpa de ese maldito, de ese maldito guaro de caña

tuanis

Costa Rican slang:

1. Adjective used to denote a general sense of wellbeing.

2. Noun that indicates coolness.

3. Synonym to the phrase pura vida.

4. Sometimes used as a salutation or affirmation.

¿Ese es tu carro nuevo? ¡Pura vida, está bien tuanis!
Is that your new car? Awesome, it's really cool!