Last updated: Aug 28, 2026
Doing Business in Costa Rica: Market Entry, GTM Strategy & Growth Potential
Why Expand into Costa Rica
The population of Costa Rica is 5,174,789, and is growing at the rate of 0.41%. The GDP per capita, which represents the potential spending power of the people, is $34,157, measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis to allow comparison with other countries.
80.13% of Costa Rica’s population lives in urban areas. 63.43% of the population is of working age (15-59). 89.95% of the population has internet access and 0% has 5G mobile coverage. These factors are important for digital-first businesses to keep in mind.
The Accuracast International Growth Index ranks Costa Rica #60 overall for market attractiveness. The country’s rank changed -3 places, representing a fall from last year’s position.
How we can help you grow in Costa Rica:
Accuracast offers a comprehensive range of international digital marketing services to support brands looking to grow their presence in Costa Rica. Whether you need an international SEO agency, an international advertising agency, or an international social media marketing agency specialising in Costa Rica, we’ve got you covered.
Costa Rica's International Growth Stats
| International Growth Pillar | Score |
|---|---|
| Market Demand | 51.78 |
| Purchasing Power | 60.79 |
| Digital Readiness | 68.3 |
| Financial Infrastructure | 74.93 |
| Regulatory Complexity | 56.43 |
| Setup Cost & Friction | 37.16 |
| Digital Search Demand | 35.16 |
| Cross-Border Activity | 56.75 |
| Overall Score | 52.4 |
| Score Change | 1.3 |
| Overall Rank | 60 |
| Rank Change | -3 |
Digital Search Demand
35.16%
Purchasing Power
60.79%
Digital Market Maturity in Costa Rica
The digital search demand score for Costa Rica is 35.16.
Go-To-Market Strategy Considerations for Costa Rica
The purchasing power score for Costa Rica is 60.79, and the country scores 68.3 for digital readiness.
Financial & payment infrastructure
In terms of financial infrastructure, Costa Rica scores 74.93.
Regulatory & business setup friction
From a business expansion point of view, Costa Rica scores 56.43 for regulatory complexity and legal restrictions. This is reverse-scored, meaning the higher the score, the easier it is to navigate local regulation.
The score of 37.16 indicates the costs and friction associated with setting up a business presence in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica market attractiveness change
Compared to last year, the overall International Growth Index score for Costa Rica has changed 1.3 points, causing the country to go -3 places from 2025, dropping to rank #60 in 2026.
Most Popular Social Media Platforms in Costa Rica:
- YouTube
- TikTok
International Expansion Risks for Costa Rica
While new market expansion can be exciting, it is important to also consider the risks when entering a market like Costa Rica.
Compare Costa Rica to other countries
| International Growth Pillar | Costa Rica Score |
|---|---|
| Market Demand | 51.78 |
| Purchasing Power | 60.79 |
| Digital Readiness | 68.3 |
| Financial Infrastructure | 74.93 |
| Regulatory Complexity | 56.43 |
| Setup Cost & Friction | 37.16 |
| Digital Search Demand | 35.16 |
| Cross-Border Activity | 56.75 |
| Overall Score | 52.4 |
| Score Change | 1.3 |
| Overall Rank | 60 |
| Rank Change | -3 |
| United States Score |
|---|
| 53.39 |
| 71.03 |
| 93.01 |
| 81.18 |
| 64.5 |
| 27.2 |
| 43.46 |
| 69.58 |
| 60.79 |
| 1.2 |
| 3 |
| 0 |
View market attractiveness data for other countries ranked like Costa Rica:
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