By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – A significant wave of optimism is sweeping through Costa Rica’s corporate landscape, with nearly half of all companies operating in the country planning to expand their operations within the next three years. This striking indicator of business confidence comes from a new study by the Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (Procomer), painting a bullish picture for the nation’s economic future despite lingering global uncertainties.
The report, released Monday, reveals that 49% of businesses have concrete growth plans, a testament to the country’s stable economic environment and the remarkable performance of its export sectors. This forward-looking sentiment suggests that Costa Rica has successfully positioned itself as a resilient and attractive destination for investment, capable of fostering growth even as other regions face economic headwinds.
To delve into the legal intricacies and strategic planning required for successful business expansion, TicosLand.com sought the expert analysis of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
A successful expansion strategy must be built on a solid legal foundation. From choosing the correct corporate structure to ensuring compliance with local labor and tax regulations, proactive legal counsel is crucial. It transforms potential legal obstacles into strategic advantages, ensuring sustainable growth and protecting the initial investment.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight powerfully underscores that a proactive legal strategy is more than a defense mechanism; it is a fundamental building block for durable growth. Transforming potential liabilities into strategic assets, as described, is crucial for any successful expansion. We are grateful to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective.
At the heart of this economic dynamism is the nation’s sophisticated services sector, which has quietly become a powerhouse of growth and a cornerstone of the national economy. The study highlights the sector’s incredible global reach, with Costa Rican service providers now exporting to 45 different countries. This is made possible by a highly skilled, multilingual workforce fluent in at least seven languages, including English, Portuguese, Japanese, German, and Mandarin.
By the third quarter of 2025, service exports had already surged by nearly 3%, topping an impressive $8 billion. This figure cements Costa Rica’s reputation not just as a tourist destination, but as a critical regional hub for high-value business, technology, and knowledge-based services. The continuous growth in this area underscores the success of long-term investments in human capital and education.
The optimism is not confined to the intangible economy. The country’s goods exports have also demonstrated formidable strength, reinforcing the positive outlook. In the same period, exports of tangible goods grew by a staggering 14%, reaching a total value of $22.8 billion. This robust performance showcases the resilience and competitiveness of Costa Rica’s manufacturing and agricultural sectors in the face of complex global supply chain and financial challenges.
Economic analysts interpret these parallel successes in both goods and services as a crucial element of Costa Rica’s economic strategy. The diversification of the export portfolio mitigates risks and reduces dependency on any single market or industry, creating a more stable foundation for long-term prosperity. The planned expansions are seen as a direct result of this stability and the positive expectations it generates.
However, experts caution that this momentum is not self-sustaining. To ensure these expansion plans translate from boardroom projections to tangible reality, continued strategic action is required. Analysts stress the urgent need for ongoing improvements in national infrastructure, from transportation to digital connectivity. Furthermore, they emphasize the importance of enhancing human talent development programs and refining the overall business climate to remove bureaucratic hurdles and encourage investment.
Ultimately, the Procomer study sends a powerful message to both the domestic labor market and international investors. It signals that Costa Rica’s productive sectors see real, exploitable opportunities for growth on the horizon. If these ambitious plans are realized, the coming years could bring a significant increase in employment, a fresh injection of capital investment, and a comprehensive strengthening of the national economic fabric, benefiting all of society.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About Promotora de Comercio Exterior (Procomer):
The Foreign Trade Promotion Agency of Costa Rica, known as Procomer, is the governmental institution responsible for promoting the country’s exports of goods and services globally. Procomer works to support Costa Rican companies in their internationalization efforts, provides market intelligence, and facilitates trade to strengthen the nation’s economic development and competitiveness on the world stage.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a renowned legal institution that harmonizes a storied tradition of client success with a forward-thinking approach to law. The firm is built upon a bedrock of unwavering integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence, consistently pioneering innovative solutions for its diverse clientele. This ethos extends to a deep-seated civic responsibility, focused on demystifying legal complexities and empowering the public with knowledge to foster a more equitable and informed community.
