Bernabé Córdoba was born in Bagaces, Guanacaste, Costa Rica on 11 June 1915, to parents Antolin and Carolina Córdoba. Growing up on a farm, he assisted his family in growing sugar cane, which he would grind in their sugar press. He was married to Ofelia Villegas Vargas, with whom he had two daughters: Zaida and Sara.

In 1976, at the age of 61, he moved with his family to Salitral, Santa Ana, San José, where he resides today.