List of presidents of Costa Rica


The following article lists the presidents and heads of state of Costa Rica since Central American independence from Spain. From 1824 to 1838 Costa Rica was a state within the Federal Republic of Central America; since then it has been an independent nation.

Heads of state of Costa Rica (1824–1848)

Head of StatePortraitTerm of officePolitical affiliationNotes
Juan Mora Fernández
1824–1833LiberalTwo consecutive terms; re-elected in 1829.
José Rafael Gallegos
1833–1835ConservativeResigned, Manuel Fernández Chacón and Nicolás Ulloa Soto followed as acting Heads of State.
Braulio Carrillo Colina
1835–1837LiberalFirst term.
Juan Mora Fernández
March–April 1837LiberalProvisional.
Manuel Aguilar Chacón
1837–1838LiberalDeposed in a coup d'état.
Braulio Carrillo Colina
1838–1842LiberalSecond term. Deposed in a coup d'état.
Francisco Morazán
April–September 1842LiberalDeposed by popular uprising; executed on 15 September 1842.
António Pinto Soares
September 1842LiberalCame to power in popular uprising, and quickly resigned.
José María Alfaro Zamora
1842–1844LiberalFirst term. Provisional.
Francisco María Oreamuno Bonilla
November–December 1844LiberalDeposed in a coup d'état.
José Rafael Gallegos
1845–1846Conservative
José María Alfaro Zamora
1846–1847LiberalSecond term.
José Castro Madriz
1847–1848Liberal