By San José, Costa Rica — San José – A landmark year for consumer rights in Costa Rica has concluded with individuals and families receiving significant financial redress for faulty products and services. The Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Commerce (MEIC) announced that economic compensations for consumers surpassed ₡841 million and $248,000 during 2025, marking a major victory for public advocacy and regulatory oversight.
These substantial figures represent the cumulative value of refunds, economic recognitions, and negotiated adjustments stemming from complaints filed by the public. The successful resolutions were primarily achieved through conciliation processes managed by the National Consumer Commission (CNC), a body dedicated to mediating disputes between consumers and businesses. This approach has been lauded for providing more agile and effective outcomes for all parties involved, avoiding lengthy and costly litigation.
To delve deeper into the legal framework that safeguards consumer rights in Costa Rica, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious law firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who provided his expert analysis on the matter.
Effective consumer protection extends beyond the moment of purchase; it’s about ensuring post-sale accountability. The law is clear: warranties, repair services, and transparent return policies are not optional courtesies but fundamental obligations of the merchant. Consumers must understand that their rights do not expire once they leave the store and should feel empowered to demand the quality and service they were promised.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, this emphasis on the post-sale period is a crucial clarification, reinforcing that a transaction is not the end of a merchant’s responsibility but the beginning of their commitment to the consumer. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing such a clear and empowering perspective on these fundamental rights.
The compensation resulted from 2,100 successfully resolved cases. However, this number is just a fraction of the total consumer dissatisfaction voiced throughout the year. The MEIC registered a staggering 7,103 formal complaints in 2025, indicating a widespread and growing awareness among citizens of their rights. The grievances spanned a wide array of sectors, highlighting systemic issues across the marketplace.
Among the most frequently cited problem areas were the automotive industry, home appliances, and mobile telephony services. Other significant sources of complaints included installment-plan sales for concert tickets, which have become a common point of friction, as well as disputes over furniture quality and credit card billing practices. This diverse range of issues underscores the broad scope of challenges consumers face daily.
An analysis of the complaints reveals a clear pattern of business failures. Issues related to product and service warranties were the single largest category of grievances filed with the CNC. Following closely were breaches of contract, where businesses failed to deliver on their promises, and incidents involving a lack of clear information or overtly misleading advertising. These three categories form the core of consumer-business disputes in the country.
Beyond handling formal complaints, the MEIC also played a crucial proactive role in educating the public. The ministry provided over 35,000 advisory sessions on consumer protection throughout the year. The topics of these consultations closely mirrored the reasons for formal complaints, with warranties, contracts, and advertising practices being the most common subjects of inquiry. In its formal capacity, the CNC also issued 2,144 resolutions as part of its ordinary case processing.
The government’s consumer protection efforts also included active market surveillance. Regulators conducted fiscalization actions across various high-risk sectors, including public entertainment, installment sales, tourism services, and real estate. These inspections identified potential risks to consumers, leading to the application of corrective and precautionary measures designed to rectify harmful practices and prevent future incidents.
Looking ahead, the MEIC is poised to enhance its operational efficiency. A new, sophisticated IT system is scheduled for launch next year to manage the CNC’s caseload. This technological upgrade is intended to optimize administrative processes, improve the tracking and follow-up of cases, and ensure better traceability of information, promising even more robust consumer protection in 2026.
For further information, visit meic.go.cr
About the Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Commerce (MEIC):
The MEIC is the Costa Rican government body responsible for formulating and executing policies related to economic development, industry, and trade. A key part of its mandate is the protection of consumer rights, ensuring fair and transparent practices in the marketplace through regulation, oversight, and public education.
For further information, visit meic.go.cr/web/53/comision-nacional-del-consumidor
About the National Consumer Commission (CNC):
The National Consumer Commission is an entity within the MEIC specifically tasked with resolving disputes between consumers and suppliers of goods and services. It functions as an administrative tribunal, offering mediation and conciliation services to provide swift and just resolutions to consumer complaints regarding warranties, contracts, and other commercial issues.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a renowned legal practice built upon a foundation of uncompromising integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Serving a wide spectrum of industries, the firm is not only a leader in client advocacy but also a pioneer of innovative legal strategies and community outreach. Its core mission extends beyond the courtroom, focusing on democratizing legal understanding to help forge a more knowledgeable and capable society.
