Costa Rica (CR)
Costa Rica is Central America's most stable democracy — a small, lush republic that abolished its army in 1948 and instead invested in education, healthcare, and the environment.
Consumer Rights
Right of withdrawal, contracts and debt collection in Costa Rica.
Consumer rights in Costa Rica are primarily governed by the Ley de Promoción de la Competencia y Defensa Efectiva del Consumidor (Law 7472), enforced by MEIC (Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Comercio) through its DIACO division (Dirección de Apoyo al Consumidor). Commercial goods carry a minimum 3-month legal warranty. Sector-specific regulators oversee telecommunications (SUTEL), utilities (ARESEP), banking (SUGEF), insurance (SUGESE), and investment (SUGEVAL). The Defensoría de los Habitantes (Ombudsman) handles complaints against public institutions. Costa Rica's framework provides meaningful consumer protections; enforcement through DIACO mediation is typically faster than court action. Contracts and warranties are in Spanish — use a certified translator for complex agreements.
Right of withdrawal (Widerrufsrecht)
Costa Rica does not have a universal right of return for change-of-mind in-store purchases equivalent to the EU's 14-day cooling-off period for all goods. However, for distance purchases and e-commerce (compras a distancia): a 10-working-day right of withdrawal (derecho de retracto) exists under Law 7472 reforms, calculated from the date the goods are received. For in-store purchases: return policy is at the retailer's discretion unless the product is defective (warranty rights apply regardless). Major retailers (Walmart, Automercado, PriceSmart) typically offer 30-day commercial return policies. For telecommunications and internet services: SUTEL regulations provide a 15-day cooling-off period for new contracts signed remotely.
Contract cancellation
Fixed-term service contracts (internet, cable, gym memberships): consumer can cancel under Law 7472 if the provider fails to deliver the contracted service or makes material changes to terms without notice. Telecommunications contracts: SUTEL rules require providers to offer cancellation within 5 business days of request, with any outstanding equipment returned. Rental contracts: 3 months written notice required to terminate under Ley 7527, with a 3-month early termination penalty unless waived. Insurance contracts: typically 30 days written notice to cancel — check your specific policy. Timeshare contracts: a 10-day rescission right (derecho de rescisión) applies under MEIC regulations — exercise immediately after signing if you wish to cancel.
Service contracts with automatic renewal clauses (renovación automática) must notify the consumer in writing at least 30 days before the renewal date under MEIC/DIACO guidelines. If a provider fails to provide this notice, the consumer can cancel at the renewal date without penalty. Particularly relevant for: internet and cable contracts, insurance policies, gym memberships, and subscription services. Check your contract for any automatic renewal clause (cláusula de renovación automática) before signing.
Debt collection — response deadlines
Informal reminders: Creditors in Costa Rica typically send 1–3 written payment reminders (cartas de cobro) before escalating to formal collection. These may be sent by post, email, or WhatsApp. No formal regulatory timeline governs how quickly informal reminders are sent. Interest on unpaid debts: governed by the contract or, if not specified, by the legal interest rate (tasa básica pasiva) set by BCCR.
Court order: If informal collection fails, creditors may file a claim at the Juzgado Civil (Civil Court) or use the Proceso Monitorio (monitorio proceeding) — a fast-track debt enforcement procedure for undisputed debts. The Proceso Monitorio allows creditors with documentary evidence of debt to obtain a court order within 15–30 days. For larger debts: a full civil claim (proceso de conocimiento) is used.
Response deadline: For a Proceso Monitorio demand: you have 10 business days from notification to pay the debt or oppose the claim in writing. If you fail to respond, the court can issue an immediate enforcement order (resolución de pago). For a standard civil claim: response period is 30 calendar days. If you receive any court notification, consult a lawyer immediately — the deadlines are strict.
Consumer protection authority
DIACO — Dirección de Apoyo al Consumidor, a division of MEIC (Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Comercio). Address: San José (Barrio Tournón). Phone: 2549-1400. Website: meic.go.cr. DIACO provides free consumer advice and initial mediation — first step for most consumer disputes. CNC (Comisión Nacional del Consumidor): the formal administrative court under MEIC that issues binding decisions on consumer complaints under Law 7472 — escalate to CNC if DIACO mediation fails. Sector regulators: SUTEL (telecommunications — 2287-0000, sutel.go.cr); ARESEP (utilities — 2506-3500, aresep.go.cr); SUGEF (banking — 2243-4848, sugef.fi.cr); SUGESE (insurance — 2243-5108, sugese.fi.cr); SUGEVAL (investments — sugeval.fi.cr). Defensoría de los Habitantes (Ombudsman for public institutions): 2258-8585.
File consumer complaints at: meic.go.cr/denuncia (online complaint form, available in Spanish). In person at DIACO offices in San José (Barrio Tournón) or at MEIC regional offices in San José, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Guanacaste, Puntarenas, and Limón. For telecommunications complaints: sutel.go.cr (online complaint portal). For utility billing disputes: aresep.go.cr. For banking disputes: sugef.fi.cr. For criminal fraud (scams, property fraud, financial fraud): OIJ online complaint at pj.go.cr or in person at the nearest OIJ office.