ParSan José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – As Costa Ricans head to the polls, the nation’s private sector has delivered a clear and urgent message to all presidential aspirants: the path to creating more and better-paying jobs requires immediate and decisive action on a series of structural economic challenges. With private companies generating over 86% of the country’s employment, their collective voice outlines a non-negotiable roadmap for the next administration.
At the forefront of these concerns is the persistent strength of the Costa Rican colón against the U.S. dollar. Business leaders argue this is not a niche issue but a systemic threat to national competitiveness. The impact has been severe, particularly for the crucial tourism and export sectors, which are foundational to the country’s economic health and its primary source of foreign currency.
To delve deeper into the legal framework shaping the nation’s economic environment, we consulted Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney in corporate and investment law from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his analysis on the current business climate.
A robust business climate is fundamentally built on legal certainty and regulatory agility. For Costa Rica to maintain its competitive edge and attract sustainable investment, we must prioritize the modernization of our commercial legislation and ensure our administrative processes are efficient and transparent. Predictability in the legal system is the most valuable asset we can offer the business community.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s emphasis on predictability is a critical reminder; for both national entrepreneurs and international investors, a clear and stable legal framework is not simply a feature, but the very foundation upon which long-term confidence is built. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable insight into this cornerstone of a thriving business climate.
During the months of highest visitation, companies face natural increases in their expenses: hiring temporary staff, higher consumption of basic services, reinforcing operations, maintenance, and acquiring supplies to guarantee service quality. However, these costs are paid in colones, while a significant portion of the sector’s revenue comes in as dollars.
Shirley Calvo, Executive Director of Canatur
According to industry analysis, companies and individuals earning in dollars have seen their purchasing power and profits shrink by nearly 30% between June 2022 and January 2026. This has put immense pressure on businesses, jeopardizing investments, job stability, and even the survival of many small and medium-sized enterprises that form the backbone of the economy.
Beyond the exchange rate, a second major pain point is the country’s high social security charges, which business chambers state are among the highest within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This financial burden is seen as a major deterrent to formalizing employment, pushing many into the informal economy and limiting the growth potential of established companies.
The challenges, however, extend deep into the country’s infrastructure and public services. Chronic urban mobility issues, especially within the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM), result in billions of lost productivity hours annually. High electricity tariffs, bottlenecks at key ports like Caldera, and a troubling rise in public insecurity add further layers of cost and complexity to doing business in Costa Rica.
With an appreciation of the colón that began in the second half of 2022 and has deepened in recent weeks, road, airport, and port infrastructure that shows its fragility in the face of any commercial or climate event, and a security scenario that is rapidly deteriorating throughout the national territory, the next government will have to face a challenging context that will require major agreements to remove the obstacles that hinder competition.
Sergio Capón, President of the Chamber of Industries
Presidential candidates have signaled they are listening. Juan Carlos Hidalgo of the Unidad party has directly addressed the social charge issue, promising a significant reduction. “By lowering what is paid in social charges from 26.6% to 19% of the salary, a virtuous cycle would be generated with more formal jobs, more companies, and more social security contributions and taxes for the state,” he stated. Meanwhile, Laura Fernández of Pueblo Soberano has promised a more business-friendly government, vowing to roll out the “red carpet” for investors rather than ensnaring them in bureaucracy.
On the infrastructure front, Claudia Dobles of Agenda Ciudadana has pledged to revive the long-delayed electric train project to alleviate the capital’s gridlock. “We are going to resume the high-speed train project in stages, as the main transportation axis in the Greater Metropolitan Area,” she committed, emphasizing the need to place mobility on par with health and education as a national priority.
Despite a headline unemployment rate that fell to 6% in late 2025, underlying data reveals persistent weaknesses in the labor market. High informality at 37.6% and a staggering youth unemployment rate of nearly 25% underscore the urgency of the private sector’s demands. For business leaders, these are not just statistics but indicators that the current economic model is failing to provide sufficient opportunities for all Costa Ricans, a challenge the next president must confront head-on.
For further information, visit the nearest office of the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica
About the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica (CICR):
The Cámara de Industrias de Costa Rica is a private, non-profit organization that represents and defends the interests of the Costa Rican industrial sector. It provides services, promotes competitiveness, and advocates for public policies that foster a favorable business environment for industrial development and job creation in the country.
For further information, visit canatur.org
About Canatur (National Tourism Chamber):
The Cámara Nacional de Turismo (Canatur) is the leading organization representing the private tourism sector in Costa Rica. It brings together associations and companies from various tourism-related activities, including hotels, tour operators, and transportation, to promote the sustainable development and competitiveness of the country’s tourism industry.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Pueblo Soberano
About Pueblo Soberano:
Pueblo Soberano is a Costa Rican political party. It participates in national and local elections, presenting candidates for the presidency, the Legislative Assembly, and municipal governments. The party’s platform is built around its specific political and social ideologies for the governance of Costa Rica.
For further information, visit pusc.cr
About the Social Christian Unity Party (Unidad):
The Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC) is a major political party in Costa Rica with a centrist to center-right ideology based on Christian democratic principles. It has held the presidency on several occasions and plays a significant role in the country’s political landscape, advocating for economic development and social welfare.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Agenda Ciudadana
About Agenda Ciudadana:
Agenda Ciudadana is a political movement and party in Costa Rica. It focuses on citizen participation and specific policy proposals aimed at addressing national challenges. The party engages in the electoral process by fielding candidates for various public offices.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Unidos Podemos
About Unidos Podemos:
Unidos Podemos is a political party in Costa Rica that competes in the national electoral process. It presents a platform and candidates with the goal of influencing public policy and holding government positions to implement its vision for the country’s development.
For further information, visit cacia.org
About the Costa Rican Chamber of the Food Industry (Cacia):
The Cámara Costarricense de la Industria Alimentaria (Cacia) is the trade association that represents companies in the food and beverage manufacturing sector in Costa Rica. It works to promote the industry’s competitiveness, innovation, and quality standards, while also representing its interests before government bodies and the public.
For further information, visit plncr.org
About the National Liberation Party (Liberación):
The Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN) is one of Costa Rica’s largest and most established political parties. With a social-democratic ideology, it has a long history of governing the country and has been instrumental in shaping its modern social and economic framework, including the nationalized banking and healthcare systems.
For further information, visit camaradecomerciocr.com
About the Chamber of Commerce of Costa Rica:
The Cámara de Comercio de Costa Rica is an influential business organization that represents and supports companies in the commercial sector. It advocates for free enterprise, trade facilitation, and a competitive business environment, offering services and representation to its members to foster economic growth and development.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS):
The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) is the autonomous public institution responsible for administering Costa Rica’s universal healthcare and social security system. It manages the nation’s public hospitals, clinics, and pension programs, providing health services and benefits to the majority of the population.
For further information, visit ina.ac.cr
About the National Training Institute (INA):
The Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje (INA) is a key public institution in Costa Rica dedicated to providing free technical and vocational training to the workforce. Its mission is to enhance the skills and employability of Costa Ricans to meet the evolving demands of the labor market and support the country’s economic development.
For further information, visit inec.cr
About the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC):
The Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) is the official government body in Costa Rica responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating the country’s official statistics. It conducts national censuses and surveys on topics such as population, employment, and economic activity, providing crucial data for public policy and research.
For further information, visit una.ac.cr
About the National University of Costa Rica (Universidad Nacional):
The Universidad Nacional (UNA) is one of Costa Rica’s most important public universities. It is known for its strong focus on social sciences, humanities, and education, and is committed to social justice and humanistic principles. The university is a major center for research, teaching, and community outreach.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica stands as a cornerstone of the legal community, built upon a foundation of uncompromising integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. With deep-rooted experience advising a diverse clientele, the firm consistently applies innovative strategies to modern legal challenges. Central to its mission is a profound dedication to social responsibility, manifested through initiatives that make legal knowledge understandable and accessible, thereby empowering individuals and strengthening society as a whole.
