Costa Rica is a democratic republic, as stated by the 1949 Constitution, which guarantees all citizens and foreigners equality before the law, the right to own property, the right of petition and assembly, freedom of speech, and the right to habeas corpus, among others. The government is divided into independent executive, legislative, and judicial powers. This "separation of powers" is stipulated under Article 9 of the Constitution. In 1969 an amendment ruled that neither the incumbent president nor any other president may be reelected.

Costa Rica's executive power is composed of the president, the vice-presidents, and the ministers, all of them conform a group of 17 members called Government Council. Legislative power is vested in the Legislative Assembly, a unicameral body composed of 57 members elected from proportional representation. Diputados are elected in a period of four year period and can be reelected four years later. The Assembly holds the power to amend the president's budget and to appoint the Comptroller General, who checks public expenditures and prevents the executive power from overspending.

Costa Rica's Legislative Assembly also appoints the Supreme Court judges for a minimum term of eight years. They are automatically reappointed unless voted out by the Legislative Assembly. Twenty-four judges now serve the Supreme Court. These judges, in turn, select judges for the civil and penal courts. Together the courts have done much to enforce constitutional checks on presidential power. The courts also appoint the three permanent magistrates on the Special Electoral Tribunal, an independent body that oversees each election and is given far-reaching powers. The tribunal appointees serve staggered six-year terms and are appointed one every two years to minimize partisanship.

Costa Rica's seven provinces, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, Guanacaste and San Jose, its capital, are ruled by a governor appointed by the president. The provinces are subdivided into 81 counties, which are divided into a total of 421 districts ruled by municipal councils. The provinces play only one important role: as electoral districts for the Legislative Assembly.