The independent legislator Carmen Quesada won the first secretariat of the Legislative Assembly on Monday night.
Quesada, a 47-year-old educator and representative of the province of Limón, got 39 votes.
Her candidacy was promoted by the legislative branch of the National Liberation Party (PLN).
Quesada was elected in 2014 as legislator for the Libertarian Movement, but declared herself independent after a confrontation with the leader of the political group, Otto Guevara.
Christian legislator Gonzalo Ramírez won the presidency.