TicoLand

South Americans began calling native Costa Ricans "Ticos" several generations ago because they added "ito" as an affectionate term to words in the Spanish language.  For example, "one moment" is "un momento" in most Spanish-speaking regions.  In Costa Rica, it is "un momen-ito".   Also "ito" is added to the son of a man who has the same name - Mario's son is Mario-ito.  And that's how Costa Ricans became known as, and call themselves,  Ticos.