Costa Rica is a little business gem concealed behind tropic scenery. Better known for its biodiversity, fruit exportation, and tourism sector, Costa Rica is actually one of the biggest tech manufacturers in Latin America, and its service sector is the third most important in terms of GDP for the country.
As such, it´s no wonder a lot of companies are looking to Costa Rica when considering Latin America as an outsourcing destination. Here, we will look at some of the key reasons why you should outsource one or some of your business functions to Costa Rica.
Table of Contents
1) Benefits of Costa Rica – A Highly Educated and ‘Low-Cost’ Workforce
Costa Rica has a great public education system that allows easier access to higher education degrees from both public and private universities, preparing students in diverse areas according to the market necessities. According to the World Economic Forum, Costa Rica has the best education system in Latin America, not to mention a high level of English fluency among its citizens.
Since the turn of the millennia, Costa Rica has multiplied its higher education population between the ages of 25 and 64 to 23%, the highest in Latin America according to a survey made by the OECD on 40 countries.
Perhaps one of the most important aspects for companies looking to expand their operations abroad is the difference between the base salaries in Costa Rica compared to places like North America and Europe. For example, a senior level software engineer earns an average of USD$3,000 per month.
2) Ease of Communication
Convenience in communication is one of the key aspects to take into account when considering outsourcing your business functions to Costa Rica.
- Time Zone: Costa Rica´s location makes it perfect for real-time collaboration for businesses in the US and Europe.
- Location: Costa Rica is also very conveniently located; reachable by more than a hundred flights going out of both international airports. There are frequent and direct flights to major US and European business cities.
Culture: Costa Rica’s culture is very western-like. It has become ‘Americanized‘ as an effect of globalization – making communication and understanding business culture complication free.
3) Innovation and Technology Oriented
Costa Rica has a talented and innovative workforce that thrives on working the technology sectors. This access to human resources is a key reason why companies consider Costa Rica a prime location to outsource business functions too. In fact, Costa Rica has been dubbed ‘The Silicon Valley of Latin America‘. The nation has become a key business hub for various manufacturing companies in areas such as electronic components, medical devices, and software development.
4) Political and Economic Stability
Costa Rica is one of the most well-established democracies in Latin America. The nation abolished its armed forces in 1948 after their first, and only civil war; as a consequence, the education system was reinforced with funding. Costa Rica has had economic stability since the 1980s, after turning an economic crisis into a successful exportation model based on the service industry.
5) Government Initiatives
The Costa Rican government maintains a strong focus on developing the country’s economy through a number method. Some of the key reasons why Costa Rica has been able to advance quicker than some of its neighbors include the governments push for sector diversification, a strong emphasis on education and incentives such as tax cuts and exemptions for certain companies.
6) Foreign Investment
While many countries around the global restrict foreign ownership of companies, Costa Rica allows for 100% foreign ownership and furthermore, a company’s capital can be subscribed in a foreign currency. This makes Costa Rica an ideal location for investment by North America and European companies looking for their next expansion destination.
Need Local Support?
Costa Rica remains one of the great commercial jurisdictions in Latin America. With globalization making the world smaller, many businesses find that they are able to invest in new markets as a way to develop their core business. Costa Rica provides an ideal location for nearshore outsourcing – this is particularly true for US and Canadian companies looking to take advantage of the regions proximity and human resource capacities.
If you are interested in Costa Rica as an outsourcing destination, it is vital you work with a local group to ensure your operational success. Biz Latin Hub is the local partner to many North America companies who have decided to expand south to the lucrative Latin America markets. Contact us today to see how we can support you in Costa Rica and Latin America.
The information provided here within should not be construed as formal guidance or advice. Please consult a professional for your specific situation. Information provided is for informative purposes only and may not capture all pertinent laws, standards, and best practices. The regulatory landscape is continually evolving; information mentioned may be outdated and/or could undergo changes. The interpretations presented are not official. Some sections are based on the interpretations or views of relevant authorities, but we cannot ensure that these perspectives will be supported in all professional settings.