The participation of Costa Rica in the OTI Festival began at the fifth OTI Festival in 1976. The Costa Rican participating broadcasters were (Teletica) and (Telecentro) (latter (Repretel)), which were members of the (OTI) and participated jointly –or in turn– in the event. They participated in all twenty-four editions after their debut. Their best result in the festival was second achieved in 1997. Repretel hosted the event in 1998.
History The first Costa Rican entry in the festival was "Patria" by Felix Ángel in 1976 which placed 13th, scoring only two points. Since its debut. Costa Rica never managed to win the festival but it enjoyed some successes. In 1980, "El amor se va" by Ricardo Padilla achieved fourth place scoring 29 points. Two years later in 1982, the same singer returned to the event, again placing fourth with the song "La mujer de mi vida". In 1977, "La hora cero" by Erick León recorded Costa Rica's highest place ever, placing second. In 1986, "Bendito seas, varón" by Cristina Gutiérrez placed third.
(Repretel) staged the OTI Festival 1998 at in San José. The stage was dark colored with a blue floor. The orchestra zone was in the background.
Participation overview + Table key 2 Second place F Finalist SF Semi-finalist ◇ Contest cancelled Year Song Artist Songwriter(s) Conductor Place Points 1976 "" Félix Ángel Lobo 13 2 1977 "" Manuel Chamorro Manuel Chamorro Jonathán Zarzosa 17 0 1978 "" Fernando Vargas Waldo 13 3 1979 "" Claudia Benjamín Gutiérrez 18 2 1980 "" Ricardo Padilla Ricardo Padilla Roberto Prais 4 29 1981 "" Juan Carlos Wong G. 15 8 1982 "" Ricardo Padilla Ricardo Padilla Luis Neves 4 22 1983 "" Manuel Chamorro Manuel Chamorro colspan=2 1984 "" Álvaro Esquivel Álvaro Esquivel Carlos Guzmán colspan=2 1985 "" Edgar Eduardo Vega Rodolfo Emilio Morales Carlos Guzmán colspan=2 1986 "" Cristina Gutiérrez Rodolfo Morales Carlos Guzmán colspan=2 1987 "" Hilda Chacón Mata Hilda Chacón Mata Álvaro Esquivel Valverde colspan=2 1988 "" Frank Victory Rodrigo Sáenz 10 2 1989 "" Allan McPherson Allan McPherson colspan=2 1990 "" Alejandro Ulate Ricardo Padilla Álvaro Esquivel colspan=2 1991 "" Angelus Jorge Castro Ruiz 1992 "" Rodolfo González Álvaro Esquivel colspan=2 1993 "" Luis Fernando Piedra William Porras colspan=2 1994 "" Ricardo Padilla Ricardo Padilla 1995 "" Rafael F. Dubón Rafael F. Dubón Carlos Guzmán colspan=2 1996 "" Sergio Coto Carlos Guzmán colspan=2 1997 "" Erick León Mario Campos Sandoval Álvaro Esquivel 2 1998 "" Ana Yancy Contreras and Luis Duvalier Quirós Edwin Bonillas Rojas Carlos Guzmán 1999 Contest cancelled ◇ 2000 "" Hernán Corao and Luis Fernando Piedra Luis Fernando Piedra Willliam Porras
Hosting Year City Venue Hosts 1998 San José
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