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Costa Rica: Doing business & staying in touch
Doing business in Costa Rica
Business culture in Costa Rica is generally polite, relationship-oriented and less formal than in many other parts of Latin America, though professionalism and courtesy remain important. Personal relationships and trust are valued, and initial meetings often include informal conversation before business matters are discussed. Building rapport is considered an important part of establishing successful long-term business relationships.
A handshake is the standard greeting in professional settings, accompanied by direct eye contact and polite conversation. Costa Ricans tend to communicate in a calm and non-confrontational manner, and overly aggressive negotiation tactics are usually counterproductive. Titles such as Señor, Señora or professional titles may be used initially, particularly in more formal environments.
Business dress is typically smart and conservative in San José and other urban centres, especially in finance, government and legal sectors. Lightweight suits or business attire are common due to the warm climate, though dress codes can be more relaxed in tourism-related industries and coastal regions.
Punctuality is appreciated, particularly in formal meetings, though a degree of flexibility with time is common in practice. Meetings may begin later than scheduled, and decision-making processes can sometimes take longer than visitors expect. Patience and maintaining a courteous tone are important.
English is widely spoken in the tourism sector and by many professionals involved in international business, but conducting at least part of an interaction in Spanish is appreciated where possible. Business cards are commonly exchanged during introductions.
Business lunches and coffee meetings are common, particularly in San José. Costa Rica's café culture plays a noticeable role in informal business discussions, reflecting the country's long association with coffee production and social hospitality.
Costa Rica has one of the most diversified and stable economies in Central America, supported by tourism, technology, agriculture, medical services and advanced manufacturing. Unlike several neighbouring countries that remain heavily dependent on a narrow range of exports, Costa Rica has successfully developed a broader economic base over recent decades, helped by political stability, relatively high education levels and long-term investment in public services.
Tourism is one of the country's most important industries and a major source of foreign exchange. Ecotourism in particular has shaped Costa Rica's international identity, drawing visitors to its national parks, beaches, volcanoes and rainforest reserves. The country has also established itself as a leading destination for adventure tourism, wellness travel and luxury nature-based tourism.
Agriculture continues to play a significant role in the economy, though its relative importance has declined compared with services and technology. Coffee and bananas remain among Costa Rica's best-known exports, alongside pineapples, sugar, ornamental plants and other agricultural products. Costa Rican coffee, particularly high-altitude Arabica varieties grown in the Central Valley and Tarrazú regions, has an international reputation for quality.
Over the past several decades, Costa Rica has also attracted substantial foreign investment in electronics, medical devices and business services. International companies, including major technology and healthcare firms, have established operations in and around San José, benefiting from the country's educated workforce and comparatively stable business environment.
The service sector dominates the economy and includes finance, telecommunications, education and professional services. Costa Rica also has a growing reputation as a destination for retirement migration and remote work, particularly among North American and European residents attracted by the climate, healthcare system and lifestyle.
Despite its relative prosperity within the region, Costa Rica faces ongoing economic challenges including public debt, income inequality, infrastructure pressures and rising living costs. Traffic congestion around the Central Valley and strain on public infrastructure have become increasingly visible issues as the population and tourism sector continue to grow.
Machinery and equipment, petroleum products, vehicles, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
Keeping in Touch in Costa Rica
Mobile phone coverage in Costa Rica is generally good in cities, towns and the main tourist destinations, including San José, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio and much of the Pacific coast. Coverage can become limited in remote rainforest regions, mountainous areas and parts of the Osa Peninsula and Caribbean coast.
The principal mobile network providers are Kolbi, Claro and Liberty. Prepaid SIM cards are widely available at airports, supermarkets, convenience stores and mobile phone shops, and registration typically requires presentation of a passport.
Mobile data services are widely used and are generally reliable in urban and tourist areas. 4G coverage is common across much of the country, while 5G services are gradually becoming common.
Wi-Fi is widely available in Costa Rica, particularly in hotels, cafés, restaurants and tourist-oriented businesses. Connection quality is generally good in San José, the Central Valley and the main visitor destinations, where internet access is usually sufficient for streaming, video calls and remote work.
Many hotels, hostels and guesthouses provide free Wi-Fi for guests, while cafés and restaurants commonly offer internet access to customers. Costa Rica has become increasingly popular with remote workers and digital nomads, especially in areas such as Santa Teresa, Tamarindo and the Central Valley, where reliable internet infrastructure is more developed.
In remote rainforest lodges, mountain regions and isolated coastal areas, internet access may be slower, intermittent or unavailable altogether. Power outages and weather conditions can also occasionally affect connectivity outside major urban centres.
For travellers requiring more reliable internet access while moving around the country, local SIM cards with mobile data packages are widely available and often provide the most consistent connection.
Costa Rica has a diverse and comparatively free media landscape by regional standards, with a mixture of television, radio, print and digital news outlets operating throughout the country. The media plays an active role in political and social debate, reflecting Costa Rica's long-established democratic system and relatively strong protections for freedom of expression.
Major newspapers include La Nación, one of the country's most influential daily newspapers, along with Diario Extra, CRHoy and several regional publications. News is increasingly consumed through digital platforms and social media, particularly among younger audiences.
Television remains an important source of information and entertainment, with channels such as Teletica and Repretel dominating national broadcasting. International news and sports channels are widely available through cable and satellite television services in hotels and urban areas.
Radio continues to have a significant audience, especially outside the main cities. Stations broadcast a mixture of news, music, talk programmes and sports coverage, with both Spanish-language and Caribbean-influenced programming available in some coastal regions.
Internet access and smartphone usage are widespread, and social media platforms are heavily used for news, communication and business promotion throughout the country.
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