Compliance guides
Messaging Compliance in Costa Rica
SMS, WhatsApp, voice and RCS rules for businesses messaging customers in Costa Rica.
Overview
Marketing messages in Costa Rica should rely on consent under Law 8968 on the protection of personal data and offer a clear way to opt out.
The Agency for the Protection of Personal Data (PRODHAB) supervises Law 8968.
Spanish is the search language; tourism businesses usually also need English.
WhatsApp is a major business channel in much of Latin America, while in the US and Canada it is used alongside SMS. Consent and data protection laws in each country apply to WhatsApp marketing.
Automated and prerecorded calls are tightly regulated in the US (TCPA and the National Do Not Call Registry) and Canada (CRTC Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules), and other countries in the region have their own registers and rules.
Advertising Rules
Advertising must follow the Law for the Promotion of Competition and Effective Consumer Protection (Law 7472).
Guides by Channel
SMS in Costa Rica
Marketing messages in Costa Rica should rely on consent under Law 8968 on the protection of personal data and offer a clear way to opt out..
Read the guide →WhatsApp in Costa Rica
WhatsApp Business API campaigns to customers in Costa Rica need opt-in consent under Law 8968, in addition to Meta's business and commerce policies..
Read the guide →Voice Call in Costa Rica
Telemarketing must respect consent and objections under Law 8968 and the consumer protection law (Law 7472)..
Read the guide →RCS in Costa Rica
RCS business messaging availability in Costa Rica depends on operator and device support, so we confirm coverage before planning campaigns and keep SMS as a fallback; the same consent rules that apply to SMS apply to RCS..
Read the guide →Practical Details
Country code +506; time zone America/Costa_Rica; currency Costa Rican colón (CRC). Usual working week: Monday to Friday.
Cities we cover in Costa Rica
General information, not legal advice, as of October 2026.
Compliance in Costa Rica: FAQs
Which messaging channels need registration in Costa Rica?
It depends on the channel. Sender IDs for SMS often need registration with operators or the regulator, WhatsApp requires a verified business account and approved templates, and RCS needs brand verification. Each channel guide explains the details.
Does data protection law apply to messaging in Costa Rica?
The Agency for the Protection of Personal Data (PRODHAB) supervises Law 8968.
Is this legal advice?
No. These guides are general information. For significant campaigns, take advice from a local lawyer.
Plan Compliant Campaigns in Costa Rica
Tell us what you need and we will get back to you, usually within one working day.
- Free requirement discussion
- Clear written quotation, in USD on request
- No long lock-in for most services
Prefer to talk? Call +91 88890 28885 or message us on WhatsApp.