Order a guaro in a Costa Rican bar and you will almost certainly get Cacique, poured from a bottle with a red label and a chief in a feathered headdress. It is cheap, clear and milder than it looks, which is exactly why it catches people out.
Cacique guaro is Costa Rica’s best-known liquor: a clear, unaged spirit distilled from sugarcane by the state-owned National Liquor Factory, FANAL, in Grecia. The standard red-label Cacique is 30% alcohol (60 proof), and Cacique Superior is 35%. Ticos drink it as a shot, mixed with fruit juice or soda, or as a chiliguaro, a spicy tomato-and-chile shot. It is often called the national liquor, and for most visitors it is the one drink worth trying.
This article covers what guaro is, how Cacique came to dominate it, how strong it is, how Costa Ricans drink it, and how to buy it safely and take it home.
| Cacique guaro | At a glance |
|---|---|
| What it is | A clear, unaged sugarcane spirit |
| Made by | FANAL, the state-owned National Liquor Factory, in Grecia |
| Strength | Cacique: 30% (60 proof). Cacique Superior: 35% (70 proof) |
| Bottle sizes | 365 ml flask, 750 ml and 1 liter |
| How it’s drunk | Shots, mixed with juice or soda, or as a chiliguaro |
| Safety rule | Buy only sealed bottles from supermarkets, liquor stores and established bars |
The basics
What Is Guaro?
Guaro is the Costa Rican word for a clear liquor distilled from sugarcane. It belongs to the same family as Colombian aguardiente and Brazilian cachaça, but it is not rum: rum is usually aged and takes on color and flavor from the barrel, while guaro is distilled to a high-proof neutral spirit, cut with water and bottled unaged. The result tastes closer to a light vodka with a faint sweetness.
In everyday speech, “guaro” can also mean alcohol in general, the way “booze” does in English. But when a Costa Rican orders un guaro, they nearly always mean Cacique. For more everyday Costa Rican words, see our list of 55 Costa Rican expressions.
The history
How Cacique Became Costa Rica’s Guaro
For most of the 19th century, guaro was moonshine: made in home stills, cheap, and sometimes dangerous. In 1850, President Juan Rafael Mora Porras ordered liquor production centralized under the state, and in 1853 the National Liquor Factory opened with the job of supplying guaro that was safe to drink. FANAL is still state-owned and operates today in Grecia, in the province of Alajuela.
The Cacique name came much later. FANAL launched its guaro under the brand in August 1980. The name was linked to a National Museum excavation on land FANAL now occupies in Grecia, which found the largest known indigenous settlement in the canton; cacique means a chief.
FANAL holds the monopoly on producing guaro and other spirits in Costa Rica, and other producers need a concession to make liquor. A 2006 constitutional court ruling opened the market to imported guaro, and lawmakers have debated ending FANAL’s monopoly for years, but Cacique still dominates shelves and bar menus. Our sister site The Tico Times has more on guaro’s history and its comeback in cocktail bars.
The bottle
How Strong Is Cacique Guaro?
FANAL distills the spirit to about 96% alcohol, then cuts it with water to bottling strength. There are two Cacique guaros:
| Version | Strength | Sizes | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cacique (red label) | 30% ABV (60 proof) | 365 ml, 750 ml, 1 liter | The everyday guaro. The small flask is what Ticos call a pacha. |
| Cacique Superior (black label) | 35% ABV (70 proof) | 365 ml, 750 ml | The stronger, slightly more refined version. |
At 30%, red-label Cacique is weaker than most vodka, which is usually around 40%. That is the trap: it goes down easily, so people drink more of it than they would of a stronger spirit.
Drinking it
How Costa Ricans Drink Guaro
As a shot
A chilled shot of Cacique, sometimes with lime and salt, is the simplest way. In some old-school San José bars, a small shot still comes alongside a beer.
Mixed
Most Ticos drink guaro long: with fresh fruit juice or soda over ice. A guaro sour, with lime and sugar, is on many bar menus.
The chiliguaro
The chiliguaro is the country’s signature guaro shot. The basic version is guaro with hot sauce and lime; many bars add tomato juice and Salsa Lizano or a fresh chile. Every bar has its own recipe, and the name has been a registered trademark in Costa Rica since 2013.
Guaro pairs well with Costa Rican bar snacks, the bocas served alongside drinks. Our guide to Costa Rican food covers the dishes you will see on bar menus, and our soda guide covers where to eat cheaply the next day.
Staying safe
Is Guaro Safe to Drink?
Sealed Cacique from FANAL is as safe as any commercial spirit. The danger is bootleg liquor. In 2019 and again in 2020, counterfeit liquor laced with methanol, sold in cheap bottles under fake brand names, killed dozens of people in Costa Rica.
Pace yourself, too. Guaro’s low proof and easy taste make it easy to overdo, especially in the heat. Our safety tips cover nights out more generally.
Taking it home
Where to Buy Cacique and How to Take It Home
Every supermarket and liquor store in Costa Rica sells Cacique, and the airports’ duty-free shops carry it too. It is hard to find abroad, so if you like it, buy it here.
- Pack it in checked luggage. Bottles over the carry-on liquid limit have to go in your checked bag. Wrap them well.
- Or buy it after security. Duty-free bottles come in a sealed bag; keep it sealed until you reach your final destination, especially if you have a connection.
- Check your allowance. Every country sets its own duty-free alcohol limit. Look it up before you buy more than a bottle or two.
Our airport guide covers SJO and LIR, and the souvenirs guide has other ideas for things to bring home. In bars, check the bill for the 10% service charge before tipping; see our tipping guide.
Good to know
Cacique Guaro FAQ
What is Cacique in Costa Rica?
Cacique is the leading brand of guaro, a clear sugarcane liquor made by FANAL, Costa Rica’s state-owned National Liquor Factory in Grecia.
What is guaro made from?
Sugarcane. It is distilled to a high-proof neutral spirit, cut with water and bottled without aging.
Is guaro the same as rum?
No. Both come from sugarcane, but rum is usually aged and darker in flavor, while guaro is unaged and closer to a light vodka.
How strong is Cacique guaro?
The red-label Cacique is 30% alcohol by volume (60 proof). Cacique Superior is 35% (70 proof).
What is a chiliguaro?
A spicy shot made with guaro, hot sauce and lime, often made with tomato juice and seasoned with Salsa Lizano. It is the most popular way to drink guaro in Costa Rica.
Can I bring Cacique guaro home?
Yes. Pack sealed bottles in checked luggage or buy at duty-free and keep the bag sealed, and check your home country’s customs allowance for alcohol.
The short version
Cacique guaro is Costa Rica’s sugarcane liquor, made by the state-owned FANAL since long before the brand name existed. It is 30% alcohol, unaged and easy to drink.
Try it as a chiliguaro, buy only sealed bottles, and take one home in your checked bag. Raise a glass, say “¡Salud!”, and for more on the phrase you will hear next, see what pura vida really means.