Costa Rica
Costa Rica is the hidden gem of Latin American production, offering a unique combination of breathtaking natural landscapes and a streamlined, film-friendly environment.
Filming in Costa Rica
With stunning locations ranging from pristine beaches, waterfalls, and lush rainforests to active volcanoes and urban settings, Costa Rica can double for a wide variety of international locations, making it perfect for TV commercials, documentaries, photo shoots, and feature films. Recent projects filmed here include Apple TV+’s Jane and HBO Max’s Gomorrah.
The country’s government is fully supportive of the industry, offering tax incentives for international productions, while production costs remain highly competitive—average shoot day costs can start as low as $75k per day.
Our strategic location means direct flights from Miami are just 3 hours away, from Los Angeles, 5 hours and from London 11 hours. We’re also easy to reach during business hours, operating in CST during the winter and Mountain Time during the summer.
Our local crew is highly skilled and experienced in working with international productions, and we pride ourselves on quick, clear communication. Sustainability is a cornerstone of the Costa Rican way of life, and we bring that ethos to every production with eco-friendly practices. Plus, with 12 hours of daylight year-round, you’ll make the most of your time on set. Costa Rica is the perfect place to turn your creative vision into reality.
Costa Rica’s locations
Costa Rica offers beaches, jungles, forests, rivers, waterfalls, volcanoes, rainforests, lakes, mountains, and adventure activities (ziplining, surfing, rafting, and bungee jumping). We have both Pacific and Caribbean coasts and can provide island looks with mainland comforts.
Ethnicity and talent
Costa Rica’s population is 94% white, 3% African-American, 1% American, 1% Chinese, and 1% other ethnicities. Talent in Costa Rica is non-union, with very competitive day rates and buyouts. Costa Rica offers primarily International Latin talent with smaller groups of African-American and Asian talent. The large U.S. ex-pat community here also often participates in commercials. There are a couple of reputable casting agencies in Costa Rica, and if needed, bringing in foreign talent is easy.
VISAs to shoot in Costa Rica
VISAs are not required for citizens of the United States, Canada, or the EU. Other nationalities may need VISAs on a case-by-case basis. Regardless of the requirement, any visitor will need a valid passport with at least 6 months before expiration, a round-trip ticket, and may need to show sufficient funds for the duration of the trip.
Climate
Costa Rica enjoys a tropical climate year-round, with two main seasons: the dry season (or “summer”) from December to April, and the green season from May to November. Temperatures remain warm throughout the year, averaging 72-82°F (22-28°C), depending on the region. The average water temperature in the oceans around Costa Rica typically ranges from 79 to 84°F (26-29°C) year-round. The Caribbean coast experiences its own “summer” in September and October, making it an ideal time for filming. With 12 hours of daylight every day and diverse microclimates, you’ll find everything from sunny beaches to misty cloud forests – perfect for a wide range of production needs.
Advantages to shooting in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is ideally located—just a short flight away from the USA, Canada, and even Europe, with direct flights to most major cities.
This small yet diverse country allows you to capture a variety of locations with minimal travel time. In Costa Rica, you can quickly move between stunning beaches, lush jungles, vibrant cities, and picturesque mountains, maximizing shoot efficiency.
We also offer low-cost, non-union talent buyouts, making your project even more budget-friendly.
Drone shooting is relatively easy here as well, with accessible local options and flexible regulations.
Tax Breaks & Incentives
Costa Rica offers benefits for international productions, making it an attractive destination for filmmakers looking for tax advantages and other incentives:
- Tax Return on Foreign Productions: Costa Rica has a 13%VAT and for jobs $500k and over you will get back 80% of the tax from our government. Costa Rica is a cost-efficient option compared to other countries that offer a similarly impressive level of film infrastructure, pristine locations, and safe conditions.
- Location and Talent Flexibility: Costa Rica offers a range of locations that can double as tropical islands or urban settings, and its diverse talent pool means less dependency on expensive imports with very competitive talent fees. The topography of the country allows different types of locations and rich biodiversity with very small travel times between them.
- Quick Turnaround for Permits: Film permits are usually approved within a few days, usually 5-12 days, making it easy to start shooting on time.
- Sustainability Incentives: Costa Rica prides itself on being one of the most sustainable countries, and many production companies integrate eco-friendly practices that contribute to the country’s ambitious carbon-neutral goals.
These factors, combined with Costa Rica’s stunning diversity and logistical ease, make it a leading destination for international filmmakers.
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