María Fernanda Rodríguez crowned Miss Costa Rica 2022

María Fernanda Rodríguez Ávila was crowned as the new Miss Costa Rica 2022 during the 48th edition of the national pageant, held on September 28, 2022 in San José. The 24-year-old beauty queen  bested eight other finalists to succeed the last year’s titleholder, Valeria Rees and to win the opportunity to represent Costa Rica at the 71st edition of Miss Universe pageant, to be held in New Orleans, Louisiana this January.

After her crowning, she said to the press: “I literally feel a weight in my head and it still has me in shock, I think the emotions are a lot and I really don’t know what ones I’m feeling. Grateful to God I do know that it is the clearest emotion I have right now.”

The native of San Carlos works as model, but also as civil engineer. She speaks English, Portuguese and is studying LESCO (sign language) and is happily in love with David Arias, a young cattle rancher from Ciudad Quesada.

The newly crowned Miss Costa Rica is no stranger to pageantry. She was named Miss Earth Costa Rica 2017 and participated in the Miss Earth 2017 pageant held in the Philippines.

The 2022 Miss Costa Rica’s court includes

1st runner-up– Kristell Ruiz Freeman

2nd runner-up – Mariella Conejo Benavides