The election exposed deep divisions in the Central American tourist destination known for its laid-back beach culture and rainforest stewardship, but whose rural communities remain socially conservative.

Shortly after Alvarado Munoz cast his vote at a school in the capital, San Jose, the Pentecostal singer pledged to lead a government free of bias.

"We're going to work for everyone and we won't discriminate against anyone. We will protect all groups that have felt vulnerable ... people with disabilities, people with different sexual orientations," he told reporters.

At another polling place across town in the western Pavas barrio, Alvarado Quesada, a minister until recently in the outgoing government and published novelist, voted and spoke briefly to a crowd of supporters.

"Costa Rica is an amazing country and we want to not only preserve its great democracy, its peaceful nature, its respect for the environment and human rights, but we also want to move Costa Rica forward," he said.

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Across the city, cars filled with flag-waving supporters from both sides of the contest honked their horns and shouted slogans.

The two Alvarados, who are not related, took opposing positions on a decision in January by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, an influential regional body based in San Jose.

Fabricio, as supporters call Alvarado Munoz, called it an affront to traditional values and sovereignty. Threatening to remove the country from the court's jurisdiction, he shot from the margins to win the first round of voting in February.

Alvarado Quesada backed the court's ruling. In the campaign's final debate, he called his opponent's comments homophobic.

Reuters