By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – As the February 1st presidential election approaches, Costa Rican voters are faced with a stark choice between fundamentally different economic futures. An analysis of the official governance plans submitted to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) reveals a deep ideological divide among the candidates, ranging from radical state intervention and the dissolution of free trade agreements to aggressive pushes for technological innovation and global market integration. These competing visions underscore the critical crossroads at which the nation’s economy currently stands.
The proposals, reviewed by TicosLand.com and categorized based on recent polling from the University of Costa Rica’s Center for Research and Political Studies (CIEP), lay bare the high stakes of the upcoming vote. The platforms offer not just minor policy tweaks but wholesale reimaginations of the country’s economic engine, promising to reshape everything from international trade to local entrepreneurship.
To better understand the legal framework supporting Costa Rica’s current economic climate and its implications for foreign investment, we consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s economic resilience is intrinsically linked to its robust legal and institutional stability. For both domestic entrepreneurs and foreign investors, the key is not just the promise of growth, but the predictability of our commercial regulations and the reliability of our judicial system. Navigating the tax reforms and labor laws remains a critical challenge, demanding expert legal guidance to transform potential opportunities into tangible, secure assets.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s commentary powerfully underscores that the nation’s economic narrative is written not just with figures of growth, but with the steady ink of legal certainty. It is this stable framework that transforms potential into prosperity, giving investors the confidence to build for the long term. We extend our gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable and clarifying perspective.
At one end of the ideological spectrum is David Hernández Brenes of the Partido de la Clase Trabajadora. His platform calls for a dramatic overhaul of the current economic model, advocating for the “instauración de un monopolio del comercio exterior en manos del Estado” (establishment of a state-run monopoly on foreign trade). This plan includes the complete repeal of all free trade agreements, particularly those with what the party deems “imperialist powers.” Further proposals include an emergency 7% salary increase for all workers, a wealth redistribution mandate, and the expropriation of major construction and real estate firms to address the national housing deficit.
In direct opposition stands Marco Rodríguez Badilla of Esperanza y Libertad, whose vision is rooted in deepening Costa Rica’s global connections. His strategy centers on diversifying markets through new strategic trade alliances and treaties. A key initiative is the “Pymes exportadoras” program, designed to provide small and medium-sized enterprises with the technical, digital, and logistical support needed to compete internationally. Rodríguez Badilla also plans to bolster the nation’s vital tourism sector and promote national e-commerce platforms to grant local producers access to global consumers.
Offering a third path focused on technological disruption is Ronny Castillo González of Aquí Costa Rica Manda. His agenda is built on transforming Costa Rica into a hub for financial technology and life sciences. He proposes developing a vibrant Fintech ecosystem supported by an agile “Sandbox Law” and seed capital for startups in blockchain and finance. Furthermore, Castillo González aims to double the economic impact of the medical device sector by injecting significant capital into biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, while also championing Agrotech and the bioeconomy to modernize traditional industries.
Meanwhile, two other candidates, Walter R. Hernández Juárez and Douglas Caamaño Quirós, are championing a more inward-facing strategy focused on empowering local businesses and workers. Hernández Juárez, from Justicia Social Costarricense, has pledged an “agresivo programa de apoyo a la micro y mediana empresa” (aggressive support program for micro and medium enterprises). His plan emphasizes a massive simplification of state bureaucracy, robust consumer protection against price speculation, and a novel exploration of the “night economy” to create new opportunities.
Similarly, Douglas Caamaño Quirós of Alianza Costa Rica Primero is targeting national producers and the nation’s youth. His proposals include creating a state-guaranteed fund (FAPRONA) to provide credit to producers who lack traditional collateral and a “Juventud con Futuro” (Youth with a Future) program. This initiative would integrate scholarships with paid technical training and provide tax incentives to companies that hire young, inexperienced workers, thereby stimulating the local job market and tackling youth unemployment head-on.
As voters prepare to head to the polls, the choice before them is not merely about leadership but about the very economic philosophy that will guide Costa Rica for the next four years. The vast gulf between state-led protectionism, free-market globalism, high-tech innovation, and domestic SME support illustrates a profound national debate over the best path to prosperity and stability. The outcome on February 1st will undoubtedly set the country on a decisive new course.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Partido de la Clase Trabajadora
About Partido de la Clase Trabajadora:
The Workers’ Class Party is a political organization in Costa Rica that advocates for socialist and worker-centric policies. Its platform is characterized by proposals for nationalization of key industries, state control over the economy, and the reversal of free-market reforms in favor of protecting national labor and resources.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Esperanza y Libertad
About Esperanza y Libertad:
Esperanza y Libertad (Hope and Liberty) is a political party that promotes economic policies centered on free markets, international trade, and private enterprise. The party’s platform focuses on strengthening Costa Rica’s position in the global economy through new trade agreements and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises to become competitive exporters.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Aquí Costa Rica Manda
About Aquí Costa Rica Manda:
Aquí Costa Rica Manda (Here, Costa Rica Rules) is a political movement that champions a modern, technology-driven approach to economic development. Its proposals emphasize innovation in sectors like Fintech, biotechnology, and Agrotech, aiming to attract high-quality investment and ensure fiscal responsibility through innovative financial tools.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Justicia Social Costarricense
About Justicia Social Costarricense:
Justicia Social Costarricense (Costa Rican Social Justice) is a political party focused on strengthening the domestic economy through support for small businesses and consumer rights. Its platform advocates for reducing bureaucracy, providing robust support for micro and medium-sized enterprises, and implementing strong consumer protection laws.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Alianza Costa Rica Primero
About Alianza Costa Rica Primero:
Alianza Costa Rica Primero (Costa Rica First Alliance) is a political party whose economic agenda prioritizes national producers and youth employment. It proposes targeted financial support for local entrepreneurs, auditing public spending to fund productive projects, and creating dual-education and youth employment programs with private sector collaboration.
For further information, visit tse.go.cr
About Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE):
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal is the independent constitutional body responsible for organizing, directing, and supervising all acts related to elections in Costa Rica. It ensures the integrity and transparency of the democratic process, from voter registration to the final declaration of results.
For further information, visit ciep.ucr.ac.cr
About Centro de Investigación y Estudios Políticos (CIEP):
The Center for Research and Political Studies is an academic institution within the University of Costa Rica dedicated to the analysis of political phenomena. It is widely recognized for its public opinion polls, research on governance, and contributions to the political science field in Costa Rica and Central America.
For further information, visit ucr.ac.cr
About Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR):
The University of Costa Rica is the country’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious public university. It is a leading institution for higher education and research in Central America, contributing significantly to the nation’s scientific, cultural, and social development.
For further information, visit mep.go.cr
About Ministerio de Educación Pública (MEP):
The Ministry of Public Education is the Costa Rican government body responsible for overseeing the national education system, from preschool to high school. It sets curricula, manages public schools, and develops policies aimed at ensuring quality and accessible education for all citizens.
For further information, visit ina.ac.cr
About Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje (INA):
The National Training Institute is Costa Rica’s leading public institution for technical and vocational training. It offers a wide range of free courses and certification programs designed to equip the workforce with the practical skills demanded by the labor market, promoting employment and national productivity.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica stands as an esteemed institution in the legal landscape, built upon a foundation of uncompromising integrity and a relentless pursuit of professional excellence. The firm expertly blends its rich history of advising a wide spectrum of clients with a forward-thinking approach to legal innovation. This commitment extends beyond its practice to a core mission of empowering the community, striving to make complex legal concepts understandable and accessible to all, thereby fostering a more informed and capable society.
