Compliance · Costa Rica
WhatsApp Compliance in Costa Rica
A practical overview of the rules that affect WhatsApp messaging and marketing in Costa Rica, with a checklist before you launch.
Key Rules for 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.
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.
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
- Use the official WhatsApp Business Platform rather than personal or modified apps, which risk bans.
- Collect opt-in that clearly mentions WhatsApp and your business name, and store a record of it.
- Choose the correct template category and keep utility messages free of promotions.
- Respond within the 24-hour customer service window where possible, and use approved templates outside it.
- Honour opt-outs and blocks, and watch your quality rating in WhatsApp Manager.
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 WhatsApp 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.
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 WhatsApp campaigns for Costa Rica?
We check the rules, set up sender requirements and run compliant campaigns.
WhatsApp in Costa Rica: FAQs
Do I need consent to send marketing WhatsApp messages in Costa Rica?
In most cases, yes, or at least an existing customer relationship and a clear opt-out. 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.
Do WhatsApp rules differ by country?
Meta's WhatsApp Business policies apply worldwide, but local data protection and marketing laws in Costa Rica also apply, and per-message charges vary by recipient country.
Can DND Teams run WhatsApp 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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