The Crisis Has Played its Part to Realign The Country’s Priorities with its Reputation.

Costa Rica has proven to be more than a fading buzz-word travel destination. Its appeal and local tourism and real estate industries have not only endured the financial crisis, they have grown and adapted to a new generation of discerning travelers and [...]

Filed under: Business on April 23rd, 2009 | No Comments »

Costa Rica Accused of Offering a Haven to Tax Evaders.
Costa Rica was listed as one of four countries on a blacklist of non-cooperative tax havens, published by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Along with Malaysia, the Philippines and Uruguay, the Central American nation is accused of not agreeing to international tax standards [...]

Filed under: Business on April 3rd, 2009 | 3 Comments »

Costa Rica business Set to Benefit from New Tax Law.
In order to mitigate the effects of the economic crisis on Costa Rica, the Costa Rica Tax Administration authorized a special accelerated depreciation for all new assets (as in tangible property) increasing the acceleration of the useful life to 60% from the previous 50%. This measure [...]

Filed under: Business on March 11th, 2009 | No Comments »

New Website Puts Discount Hotel Rates Up for Bid.
The worldwide economic crisis has grown a long arm, sparing very few countries from dropping consumer confidence and drastically slowed commerce. The Costa Rica tourism industry is one area that is feeling the pinch despite its hard fought battle to avoid these negative effects. According to the [...]

Filed under: Business on March 9th, 2009 | No Comments »

The Gentle Lapping of Ocean Waves Does Wonders to Inspire Productivity.
The job market in Costa Rica has been quite dynamic recently. While layoffs continue, new job opportunities continue to emerge as companies look to capitalize on the country’s talented workforce. For any recent victims of downsizing or those looking for a more secure job, more [...]

Filed under: Business on March 6th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Foreign Companies Offering Business Opportunities and Jobs in Costa Rica.
A group of representatives from 19 Spanish companies will visit Costa Rica this week to promote business between the two countries. The goal of the business mission, which will take place mainly next Thursday and Friday, is to contact new clients and search for local representatives [...]

Filed under: Business on February 17th, 2009 | No Comments »

Global Economy Affects Spending and Jobs in Costa Rica.
If there was any doubt before, recently released information reporting 15,000 lost jobs in Costa Rica during the month of December 2008 seems to prove that the world economic crisis has indeed hit this Central American nation. The report was released by the Costa Rican Union of [...]

Filed under: Business on February 9th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Local Companies Hope to Extend Phone and Internet Services in Costa Rica.
Three telecommunications companies have solicited authorization from the Superintendent of Telecommunications (Sutel) to offer phone and internet services to the Costa Rican public. If approved, this will be the first time that the ex-monopoly Costa Rican Institute of Electricity (ICE) will face competition in [...]

Filed under: Business on February 3rd, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Recent headlines suggest rising unemployment.
Remember that pizza guy who zoomed through the pouring rain at 10 p.m. last month to deliver you a fresh steaming hot pizza? He is currently unemployed, along with 129 other Domino’s Pizza employees in Costa Rica. I bet you wished you tipped better now. The job losses don’t end there, [...]

Filed under: Business on February 2nd, 2009 | No Comments »

The Buffer Zone Around Las Baulas Park is Marked in Green.
While the global economy and lack of available financing have caused a lull in construction in Jaco, including the termination of works already in progress, activists are also winning the fight to stop growth around an important marine park in Tamarindo. This latest effort recently [...]

Filed under: Business on January 19th, 2009 | No Comments »