Photo Credit: José Cordero.

27-year-old Natalia Carvajal was elected as the new Miss Costa Rica 2018 in an event celebrated on Friday, April 27.

Carvajal, is a publicist and former television presenter; she stood out among the nine competitors and received the highest scores from the jury in the three categories, bathing suit, night gown and personality.

Larissa Sancho from Puntarenas was the runner up.

Natalia Carvajal was also selected as Miss Photogenic.

Carvajal received the crown from former Miss Costa Rica Elena Correa, the crown was designed and created by hand by George Bakkar and was inspired in the diversity of flowers found in the country, the same is valued in over $8,000.00.

The new Miss Costa Rica will also receive a cash prize of almost $10,000.00 and different prizes from sponsoring companies.