Why Costa Rica Is Ideal for Nearshoring and Best Companies To Partner With

When you think about Costa Rica, you might picture gorgeous beaches, delectable coffee, or breathtaking treetop ziplines. But there’s more than just adventure and relaxation in the Central American wonderland.

Thanks to a stable government that supports economic growth and social development, nearshore outsourcing in Costa Rica has become an attractive option for businesses of all sizes.

This article examines the factors that make nearshoring in Costa Rica attractive and which roles can be successfully outsourced there. We’ll also review potential hiring partners to help you access Costa Rican talent.

What Makes Costa Rica a Great Place for Nearshoring?

Costa Rica combines time zone alignment, English proficiency, political stability, and a skilled workforce, making it one of the strongest nearshoring destinations in Latin America.

Costa Rica has become an ideal location for nearshoring, the process of outsourcing work to third parties (companies or independent contractors) in nearby countries that share a border or are located within a similar time zone.

Nearshoring combines the cost effectiveness of offshoring with the additional benefits that geographic proximity and cultural alignment offer.

Here are five key advantages that have solidified Costa Rica’s standing as a popular nearshoring destination:

Time zone compatibility

Costa Rica operates on Central Standard Time (CST), making it an ideal location for North American businesses looking to coordinate in real time with an outsourced team during business hours. 

As one of the major competitive advantages of nearshoring, time zone alignment facilitates smoother communication and collaboration and immediate responses to any issues or needs that arise.

Booming IT services market

The market for IT services in Costa Rica has been showing consistent growth, thanks to its robust and developing tech sector. According to Statista, the market value is expected to grow to a new peak of over $625 million by 2029. 

This growth signifies the country’s expanding tech talent pool and IT services that international companies across industries can tap into.

English proficiency

Language barriers can create significant challenges in outsourcing. Costa Rica’s workforce has a high level of English proficiency, ranking third out of 20 Latin American (LatAm) countries. This proficiency facilitates seamless communication for business negotiations or complex projects.

Stable business environment

The Costa Rican government proactively promotes foreign investment and creates a favorable business environment. The country’s political stability, solid legal framework, and incentives for foreign companies contribute to an excellent climate for nearshoring.

The Costa Rican Investment Promotion (CINDE) is a private nonprofit that works to attract foreign investors and well-paying jobs to drive the sustainable development of Costa Rica’s economy. 

Educated workforce

Costa Rica, with its strong emphasis on education, has a high literacy rate and a highly skilled workforce. With numerous universities and technical institutes, the country has a constant influx of new skilled talent joining the workforce.

In addition to the five key advantages above, when nearshoring to Costa Rica, you can enjoy shorter travel times for business meetings, protections under trade agreements like the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), and cultural similarities that make business integration smoother.

What Roles Can You Outsource to Costa Rica?

Costa Rica's educated workforce supports a wide range of specialized roles from IT and customer service to accounting, engineering, and healthcare services.

Costa Rica's growing economy and education opportunities have created a labor force capable of handling a variety of specialized roles. 

Here are some of the sectors that are ripe for nearshoring to Costa Rica:

• Information technology: With the IT services market flourishing in Costa Rica, you can outsource various technology-related tasks, including software development, mobile app development, cybersecurity, and IT support services.
• Customer service: Costa Ricans' high level of English proficiency makes them excellent candidates for customer support roles. Companies often set up call centers or customer service hubs to cater to their US customer base.
• Digital marketing: You can benefit from the emerging pool of digital marketing professionals in Costa Rica who are adept at SEO, social media management, content creation, and data analysis to drive marketing campaigns.
• Engineering: Costa Rica has a well-represented engineering sector, including industrial, mechanical, and electrical engineering.
• Design: Design services, including web and graphic design, also offer a growing field for outsourcing.
• Accounting and financial services: Financial processes such as accounting, bookkeeping, compliance, and tax preparations are commonly outsourced to Costa Rica due to the availability of skilled finance professionals.
• Human resources and administration: Efficiently managing HR and administrative tasks is possible with Costa Rica's proficient administrative workforce.
• Research and development (R&D): Companies interested in innovation can tap into Costa Rica's R&D capabilities, particularly in sectors like agribusiness, biotechnology, and environmental sciences.
• Legal services: Nearshoring legal processes like research, contract management, and compliance can offer cost savings while ensuring that the work is performed by qualified experts.
• Healthcare services: Thanks to high standards in the region, outsourcing healthcare services, including back-office operations, medical transcription, and billing, is a growing sector.
• Supply chain and logistics: With its strategic location and strong trade agreements, Costa Rica has become a hub for managing supply chain activities, including procurement, inventory management, and distribution logistics.

Best Companies To Partner With When Nearshoring to Costa Rica

When selecting a nearshoring partner for Costa Rica, prioritize companies with proven track records, strong local presence, and transparent processes that align with your hiring goals. 

Here are some of the top options (in no particular order):

Near

Near (Hire With Near) is a full-service staffing and recruiting agency that helps US companies of all sizes hire top-performing remote talent in Latin America across finance, accounting, sales, software engineering, AI, data, marketing, operations, and virtual assistance.

We help you hire skilled professionals in Costa Rica who work exclusively for your business. Unlike outsourcing to third-party vendors, you get full-time professionals who integrate into your company culture, use your systems, and grow with your business. 

• Done-for-you hiring in under 3 weeks: We handle sourcing, screening, and presentation of candidates who match your exact requirements.
• Access to top-tier LatAm talent: Our 97% success rate comes from finding professionals who perform like your best US hires.
• Flexible engagement models: Choose between a one-time recruiting fee for direct hires or a monthly fee that includes payroll and compliance support. No upfront costs.
• Proven track record: 9.1+ client satisfaction score, 4.9 out of 5 rated on G2, backed by 700+ companies we've helped scale.
• Deep talent network: Pre-vetted pool of 45,000+ candidates, plus active sourcing to find exactly who you need.

Companies working with Near save 30-70% compared to US hiring while accessing experienced professionals. For example, CyberFortress saved $1.2M annually by building their finance team with Latin American talent, including senior accounting roles.

TECLA

TECLA is a prominent recruitment company connecting businesses with top software developers and design talent in LatAm, including Costa Rica. 

Recognized for its ability to understand the specific technical needs of its clients, TECLA uses a thorough vetting process to ensure that companies receive skilled individuals and teams that are tailor-fit to their project requirements. 

With expertise in the tech industry and a commitment to providing quality candidates, TECLA is a go-to partner for firms looking to nearshore their development and design efforts.

Biz Latin Hub

Biz Latin Hub is a comprehensive business solutions provider that supports companies entering or expanding within the LatAm market. Offering a unique blend of bilingual legal, accounting, and back-office services, the firm excels in helping businesses navigate the local regulatory landscape and streamline their operations. 

By leveraging their local expertise and professional network, Biz Latin Hub ensures a smooth transition for companies looking to nearshore in Costa Rica, encompassing a wide range of professional needs, from legal compliance to tax advisory.

Final Thoughts

Nearshoring to Costa Rica gives you time zone alignment, English proficiency, and access to educated professionals across IT, finance, customer service, and more. The question isn't whether Costa Rica offers strong talent—it does. The question is how you want to access that talent.

You can outsource to third-party companies, or you can build your own dedicated team that works exclusively for your business. The latter gives you more control, better cultural integration, and professionals who grow with your company.

Near specializes in the second approach. We handle the sourcing, vetting, and compliance while you build the team you need. Most companies see first candidates in 3-5 days and complete hires in under 3 weeks. Our 180-day replacement guarantee and 97% success rate mean you get the right fit, not just fast placement.

Book a no-commitment consultation call with Near to see how building your own Costa Rican team compares to traditional outsourcing.