The side is now coached by Brazilian-born but naturalised Costa Rican Alexandre Guimaraes - a player in 1990 - who succeeded Gilson Nunes in 2000.
Guimaraes inherited an outfit that has grown up fast since the new foundations were laid by Colombian Francisco Maturana between 1998 and 1999.
"Maturana dictated the rules and all of us had to adapt to a different mentality," said striker Roland Fonseca.
"From that point on, Costa Rica began to blossom."
Costa Rica topped the final Central American/Caribbean qualifying group with seven wins out of 10 matches.
They sealed their berth in at the finals with two matches to spare after a 2-1win over the USA in September 2001.
And with players such as Manchester City striker Paulo Wanchope, Fonseca and exciting youngster Tony Parks, Costa Rica are full of confidence that they can eclipse 1990.
"The infrastructure has not yet reached perfection but when we get there, we'll deliver the goods and really hit home," said Costa Rica's chief junior coach Carlos Watson.