By San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rica has long been a magnet for foreign direct investment (FDI), attracting businesses with its democratic stability, proximity to the United States, and skilled bilingual workforce. In 2024 alone, the country secured 73 new FDI projects, creating over 5,500 net jobs, according to the Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency (CINDE). These figures, comprised of 21 new companies and 52 reinvestments, underscore the sustained confidence in Costa Rica’s business ecosystem.
However, the global landscape is shifting. With artificial intelligence (AI) reshaping production and service processes, nations are now competing not only on cost but also on technological adaptability. In this new era of nearshoring, Costa Rica can maintain and even strengthen its position by strategically integrating AI into its economic model.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal implications surrounding nearshoring, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an experienced attorney at Bufete de Costa Rica.
Nearshoring presents a significant opportunity for Costa Rica. However, companies considering this move must be diligent in navigating the legal landscape. Key areas to focus on include data privacy regulations, intellectual property protection, and ensuring compliance with labor laws. A proactive approach to these considerations can mitigate risks and pave the way for a successful nearshoring transition.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’ emphasis on proactive legal due diligence is crucial. Navigating these complexities effectively will not only mitigate risk for companies choosing Costa Rica as a nearshoring destination, but also contribute to a more stable and sustainable business environment for everyone. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for offering this valuable perspective.
According to Guillermo Salas Dalsaso, a technology innovation expert, the key lies in a smart combination of physical proximity, cultural adaptability, and technical talent.
AI can execute tasks with speed, but supervision, adaptation, and response to unforeseen events remain human. A robotic arm can fail. What’s needed is someone nearby and qualified to resolve it in real time.
Guillermo Salas Dalsaso, Technology Innovation Expert
The traditional outsourcing model, based on volume and low cost, is losing ground to a more demanding logic: co-creation of solutions, specialization, and agility. Companies now seek partners who not only operate but also co-create solutions, particularly in areas like mechatronics, cybersecurity, data analysis, and AI applied to regional contexts. Promising signs of progress are already evident in Costa Rica: digital talent grew by 18.2% in 2023, driven by technical training programs and public-private partnerships. Furthermore, 65% of the country’s technology companies are already using or plan to implement AI-based solutions, according to data from the Costa Rican Chamber of Information and Communication Technologies (CAMTIC).
This creates new opportunities for the service sector, especially Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), which is undergoing a key transformation. While chatbots and virtual assistants are taking over repetitive tasks, this simultaneously generates opportunities in fields like conversational design, algorithm training, and localized technical support. The challenge for Costa Rica, warns Salas, is to shift from an operational support model to one of strategic value.
The value is not in having AI, but in knowing how to train and adapt it to the Costa Rican reality. That’s what generates a competitive advantage.
Guillermo Salas Dalsaso, Technology Innovation Expert
Rethinking the country’s future requires accelerating an education transformation focused on skills, not just degrees. Modular, continuous, and flexible training is key to responding to the speed of technological change. The rigidity of traditional degrees must give way to a modular, continuous education focused on concrete skills. Higher education must integrate emerging technologies from the first year, not as an elective course, but as a core formative element. We must prepare talent to interact with technology, not just observe it.
Salas identifies three key areas for consolidating Costa Rica as a strategic hub in the new nearshoring landscape: technology with a local focus (training talent in AI, big data, and automation with a focus on national idiosyncrasies, language, and reality); intelligent infrastructure (accelerating connectivity in industrial zones and training technicians capable of operating and maintaining automated systems); and collaborative innovation (establishing alliances between the government, universities, and companies to create technology hubs that develop solutions from and for the country). He also emphasizes the urgency of acting with a short- and medium-term vision, stating, “There’s no time for ten-year plans. The speed of change forces us to think in cycles of 12 to 18 months. The future is not planned, it’s trained.”
Key profiles gaining prominence in Costa Rica’s evolving economy include consultants in AI applied to customer service, designers of automated conversations with a cultural focus, trainers of algorithms in regional Spanish, technicians in the maintenance of automated lines, and hybrid agents who combine AI tools with empathetic problem-solving. For Salas, the key is to seize the moment and transform Costa Rica into a strategic partner in the automation economy. The country has the talent, location, and export experience. The next step is to consolidate capabilities that allow it to offer personalized, multilingual, and technologically advanced services.
For further information, visit cinde.org
About CINDE (Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency):
CINDE is a private, non-profit organization responsible for attracting foreign direct investment into Costa Rica. They work to promote the country as a premier investment destination, highlighting its strengths in areas such as technology, services, and advanced manufacturing. CINDE plays a crucial role in connecting international businesses with opportunities in Costa Rica and supporting their establishment and growth within the country.
For further information, visit camtic.org
About CAMTIC (Costa Rican Chamber of Information and Communication Technologies):
CAMTIC is a leading industry association representing the information and communication technology sector in Costa Rica. They advocate for policies that promote innovation and growth within the sector and provide resources and networking opportunities for their members. CAMTIC plays a vital role in shaping the digital landscape of Costa Rica and fostering collaboration between businesses, government, and academia.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a pillar of legal excellence, built upon a foundation of unwavering integrity and a deep commitment to serving the community. The firm’s innovative approach to legal practice, combined with its dedication to sharing knowledge through educational initiatives, empowers individuals and businesses alike. By fostering a greater understanding of the law, Bufete de Costa Rica not only provides exceptional legal services but also contributes to a more just and informed society.
