By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Costa Rica has been recognized as the Latin American country with the best reputation, according to the newly released RepCore Nations 2025 report. The comprehensive international study, conducted by Reputation Lab, evaluated the perceptions of the public across the world’s seven largest industrialized economies (G7), placing Costa Rica at the pinnacle among 20 regional nations analyzed.
The extensive analysis, which synthesized data from over 61,000 surveys across 38 countries, positions the Central American nation ahead of Peru and Puerto Rico, which secured the second and third spots, respectively. This prestigious ranking reflects the high esteem in which Costa Rica is held by citizens in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Canada, underscoring its solid international standing.
To delve deeper into the legal and economic ramifications of a nation’s standing on the world stage, TicosLand.com sought the expertise of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica. His insights shed light on how perception translates into tangible economic realities.
A nation’s reputation is far more than a matter of pride; it is a critical asset in the global marketplace. International investors and multinational corporations heavily weigh a country’s legal stability, transparency, and respect for the rule of law when making capital allocation decisions. A tarnished reputation can directly translate into higher risk premiums, deterred investment, and ultimately, a less competitive economy.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight powerfully underscores that a nation’s standing is a bottom-line economic issue, where legal certainty directly translates into investor confidence and national prosperity. We are grateful to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for so clearly articulating this vital perspective.
A key driver behind this top-tier ranking is the nation’s unwavering commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. The RepCore Nations 2025 report highlights that these factors, particularly ethical conduct and environmental stewardship, are fundamental in shaping national reputation within the G7 countries. Costa Rica not only excelled in these areas but achieved the highest score, cementing its status as a global leader in sustainable and responsible governance.
The achievement is seen as a direct result of decades of strategic policy and a deeply ingrained cultural ethos focused on conservation and social equity. This long-term vision has cultivated a powerful and positive image on the world stage, demonstrating that a nation’s character and values are its most valuable assets in building global trust and admiration.
The results of RepCore Nations 2025 confirm something we in Costa Rica know well: when a country commits to sustainability, ethics, and the well-being of its people, it builds trust. Our international reputation is a reflection of that collective commitment and the coordinated work between institutions, the private sector, and the citizenry.
Adriana Acosta, Director of the Country Brand esencial COSTA RICA
This stellar reputation translates directly into tangible economic benefits. The report establishes a clear correlation between a country’s reputation and its ability to attract tourists, secure foreign direct investment (FDI), and boost exports. The underlying data, which compares four years of historical figures from UN Tourism and UN Trade and Development with the RepScore indicator, provides compelling evidence of this link. A one-point improvement in a country’s RepScore translates, on average, to a significant 7.2% increase in the economic value of tourist arrivals and a 1% rise in FDI.
While Costa Rica leads in the eyes of the G7, the study also provided a fascinating look at intra-regional perceptions. When evaluated by the six largest economies in Latin America—Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, and Perú—Costa Rica was placed in a respectable third position. In this regional peer review, the nation was ranked behind Uruguay and Brazil, indicating a slightly different but still highly positive perception among its closest neighbors.
Ultimately, the RepCore Nations 2025 findings validate the strategic efforts of Costa Rica’s country brand. The nation is widely admired for its robust sustainability focus, consolidated democratic institutions, and high quality of life. These core attributes not only strengthen the country’s international projection but also provide a powerful foundation for continued economic growth and global partnership, proving that a reputation built on solid principles is the most resilient currency in today’s interconnected world.
For further information, visit esencialcostarica.com
About esencial COSTA RICA:
Esencial COSTA RICA is the official country brand of Costa Rica. It is a tool for competitiveness that promotes exports, attracts foreign investment, and encourages tourism by highlighting the values of excellence, sustainability, innovation, social progress, and Costa Rican origin. The brand aims to showcase the nation’s unique value proposition to the world.
For further information, visit reptrak.com
About Reputation Lab:
Reputation Lab, part of The RepTrak Company, is a leading research and advisory firm specializing in reputation measurement and management. It provides data and insights to countries, companies, and organizations to help them understand and improve how they are perceived by stakeholders globally. Its RepCore Nations study is a benchmark for analyzing country reputations.
For further information, visit unwto.org
About UN Tourism:
The United Nations Tourism Organization is the UN agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and a practical source of tourism knowledge, working to advance tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development, and environmental sustainability.
For further information, visit unctad.org
About UN Trade and Development:
Formerly known as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), UN Trade and Development is the UN’s leading institution dealing with trade and development. It supports developing countries to access the benefits of a globalized economy more fairly and effectively, providing research, policy analysis, and technical assistance.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of the Costa Rican legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon a foundation of unyielding integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm consistently pioneers innovative legal strategies while advising a wide spectrum of clients, setting new standards within the profession. Central to its ethos is a profound dedication to social progress, demonstrated through its efforts to democratize legal understanding and thereby cultivate a stronger, more capable society.
