Costa Rica

North America

Costa Rica is a stable, democratic country known for its high quality of life and strong education system. San José is the main business hub, with a growing tech and nearshoring sector. The country's US time zone alignment, bilingual workforce, and political stability make it a popular choice for companies building distributed teams in the Americas.

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Key facts

Capital

San José

Population

~5.2 million

Language

Spanish

English widely spoken in business and tech

Currency

CRC

Costa Rican Colón

Internet

83%

penetration

Safety

Score on a 1–5 scale (1 = most peaceful). Based on factors like crime, conflict, and militarization.

High

Global Peace Index: 1.55 (2024)

Cost

Relative to New York City (100). Higher values indicate higher cost of living.

Low

Numbeo Index: 34.5 (2026)

Work culture

Costa Rican work culture is friendly, collaborative, and values interpersonal relationships. The concept of pura vida (pure life) reflects a generally relaxed approach, though business in tech and BPO sectors follows international standards. Remote work is growing, supported by good internet infrastructure.

Hiring notes

Employment law provides strong protections including mandatory Christmas bonus (aguinaldo) and severance (cesantía). The free trade zone regime offers tax benefits for qualifying tech companies. Contractors must demonstrate genuine independence. International companies often use EOR services.