🇨🇷
Costa Rica
Employment Guide & Cultural Intelligence
Overview
Capital
San José
Currency
CRC
Language
Spanish
Time Zone
UTC-6
GDP per Capita
$13,400
Work Week
48 hours
Employment Basics
| Standard Work Week | 48 hours |
| Notice Period | 1-30 days based on tenure |
| Probation Period | 3 months |
| Overtime Rules | 50% premium standard; capped at 4 hrs/day |
| Termination Rules | Notice + severance (cesantía) for most terminations; severance capped at 8 years |
| Minimum Wage | CRC 358,609/mo (~€640) for unskilled (2024) |
Statutory Benefits
12
Annual Leave Days
11
Public Holidays
23
Total Paid Days Off
| Parental Leave | 4 months maternity (full pay; CCSS reimburses 50%) |
| Sick Leave | Days 1-3 by employer, then CCSS at 60% |
Employer Cost Summary
26.67%
Employer Tax/Contribution Rate
| Mandatory Insurance | CCSS social security (health, pension), workers comp (INS) |
| Retirement/Pension | CCSS public pension + ROP private; statutory age 65 |
| Healthcare | CCSS universal coverage + private supplementary common |
Cultural Intelligence
Communication Style
Polite, friendly, indirect; pura vida culture (relaxed)
Hierarchy
Moderate; relationship and respect important
Meeting Norms
Generally punctual for international firms; relationship-friendly
Negotiation Approach
Patient, friendly; trust and personal connection important
Gift Giving
Welcome; modest quality items; coffee-related thoughtful
Taboos
Avoid Nicaragua tensions; respect environmental values strongly
Hiring Tips
1
Strong English — popular nearshoring destination for US companies
2
Aguinaldo (13th-month) mandatory by law in December
3
Employer tax burden (~27%) significant — total cost well above gross
4
Free trade zones offer attractive regimes for international firms
5
Cesantía is paid as deferred severance — accrues throughout employment
Quick Facts
- Work Week 48 hrs
- Annual Leave 12 days
- Public Holidays 11
- Employer Burden 26.67%
- Probation 3 months
- Currency CRC