Compliance · Costa Rica
SMS Compliance in Costa Rica
A practical overview of the rules that affect SMS messaging and marketing in Costa Rica, with a checklist before you launch.
Key Rules for 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.
In North America, business texting is shaped by carrier rules as well as law: in the US, application-to-person messaging on standard numbers generally requires brand and campaign registration (10DLC), and the TCPA requires appropriate consent. Other countries in the Americas have their own consumer protection and data laws.
Data Protection
The Agency for the Protection of Personal Data (PRODHAB) supervises Law 8968.
Keep a record of how each contact was collected, what they agreed to and when, and make it easy for them to withdraw consent.
Practical Checklist
- Collect and record consent (or confirm an existing customer relationship) before sending, with the date and source.
- Use a registered sender ID or number that recipients can recognise as your business.
- Identify your business in every message and keep promotional and service messages separate.
- Give a simple way to opt out of marketing and process opt-outs quickly across all your systems.
- Send in the recipient's local daytime hours and keep frequency reasonable.
Contact data
Format numbers in international E.164 format with the +506 country code, remove duplicates and invalid numbers, and keep consent records linked to each number.
Timing and Language
Costa Rica follows the America/Costa_Rica time zone (UTC-06:00 in October 2026). The usual working week is Monday to Friday. Schedule SMS campaigns for the recipient's local daytime hours, avoid public holidays and religious observances that matter to your audience, and convert send times from IST before scheduling.
In San José, customers commonly use Spanish, with English. Messages in the customer's preferred language usually perform better, but check how local-language text affects character counts (for SMS) and template approval (for WhatsApp).
Digital Habits and Channels in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has high mobile use, and WhatsApp is the main channel for customer communication. SINPE Móvil, which lets people send money using a phone number, is used by most adults.
Law 8968 on personal data protection, overseen by PRODHAB, requires consent. Tourism peaks in the dry season from December to April, and Christmas bonuses (aguinaldo) lift December spending.
Costa Rica exports medical devices made by firms such as Boston Scientific and Medtronic, as well as coffee, pineapples and bananas, and earns heavily from eco-tourism. Many multinational companies run shared-service and contact centres in the San José area, using its bilingual workforce. VAT (IVA) is 13%, and the currency is the colón. SINPE Móvil instant transfers by phone number are used by most adults. Law 8968 on personal data protection is overseen by PRODHAB. Kölbi (ICE), Claro and Liberty run the mobile networks.
Regulators, Registers and Practical Rules in Costa Rica
Costa Rica's Law 8968 on the protection of individuals with regard to personal data is supervised by PRODHAB (Agencia de Protección de Datos de los Habitantes), and databases used for commercial purposes may need to be registered with it. The telecom regulator SUTEL and the Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology and Telecommunications set the rules for networks and spam, and consumer law also restricts unsolicited advertising. Kölbi (ICE), Liberty and Claro are the mobile operators.
SINPE Móvil, the instant payment system linked to phone numbers, is used by most adults, so payment reminders that include a SINPE number are practical. Spanish is the main language, with English useful for tourism in Guanacaste, the Pacific coast and La Fortuna. The dry season from December to April is the high tourist season.
General guidance, not legal advice. Check current rules with the regulator or a local adviser before launch.
Advertising Alongside Messaging
Advertising must follow the Law for the Promotion of Competition and Effective Consumer Protection (Law 7472).
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and reflects our understanding as of October 2026. Rules change, so we check current requirements for Costa Rica before every launch.
Planning SMS campaigns for Costa Rica?
We check the rules, set up sender requirements and run compliant campaigns.
SMS in Costa Rica: FAQs
Do I need consent to send marketing SMS messages in Costa Rica?
In most cases, yes, or at least an existing customer relationship and a clear opt-out. 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.
Do I need a registered sender ID for Costa Rica?
Sender ID rules vary by country and operator. Some countries require pre-registration of alphanumeric sender IDs, others only allow numeric senders. We confirm the current requirement before launch.
Can DND Teams run SMS campaigns to Costa Rica?
Yes. We are based in Bhopal, India, and run campaigns for international markets remotely, after checking the current rules, sender requirements and coverage for Costa Rica.
Is this legal advice?
No. This guide is general information to help you plan. Regulations change and their application depends on your business, so take local legal advice for significant campaigns.
Related Guides and Services
Other channels in Costa Rica
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