Conducting business in Costa Rica is very similar to norms in the U.S. Just like in the States, Costa Ricans are expected to be punctual and arrive to meetings on time. This interestingly differs from the wider culture of the country, which favors flexible and relaxed timing for informal events. In my opinion, this signals an adaptation to Western culture and its emphasis on timeliness. Costa Rican business meetings are also characterized by the small talk that occurs at the beginning of each. Meetings rarely start on their agenda immediately as individuals prefer to catch up first. This is often true in U.S. meetings as well, but it is more important and prevalent in Costa Rica. Not wanting to make small talk can be seen as offensive in the country.
Costa Rica has many business opportunities but also some important considerations. There are many growing industries in the country, such as technology, renewable energy, and real estate. This opens the door for foreign investors or other entrepreneurs to grow something special in this economy. Costa Rica also features the highest standard of living in all of Central America. This means that, while labor and other costs may not be as cheap, businesses can look forward to a vibrant and growing economy. The Costa Rican government has many environmental regulations that affect businesses, with the goal of maintaining the country’s beautiful ecosystems.
My initial impressions of Costa Rica held true! The people here have been very friendly and accommodating to us visitors. One interesting thing I noticed was that the second half of our trip allowed me to see much more of the country’s ecotourism. The juxtaposition of staying on the side of a volcano surrounded by nature, in a Western-style resort, was very interesting to me. While Costa Rica’s culture persists, it is adapting to its place in the world as an ecotourism hotspot.