Film fixer & production services in Costa Rica
Local crew, local permits, local knowledge. One production team on the ground in Costa Rica, from prep to wrap, with a proposal in 48 hours.
WE KNOW COSTA RICA BECAUSE WE SHOOT HERE
A production service company based in Costa Rica
Fonktown works with brands, agencies and production companies from anywhere in the world that come to shoot in Costa Rica. We handle the whole ground operation: filming permits, location scouting, local crew, equipment rental and logistics, with one single point of contact and one clear budget.
Commercials, documentaries, branded content, TV series and photo shoots: if it is filmed in Costa Rica, we know how to make it happen.
2
Coasts: Pacific and Caribbean
25%
Of the country protected as national parks and reserves
5%
Of the planet’s biodiversity in one small country
48h
To send you a full production proposal
Shooting in Costa Rica #
Shooting in Costa Rica #
Shooting in Costa Rica #
Shooting in Costa Rica #
Shooting in Costa Rica #
PRODUCTION SERVICES IN COSTA RICA
Everything your shoot needs, from one team
Filming permits & paperwork
Permits with the Costa Rica Film Commission (Procomer), SINAC for national parks and protected areas, municipalities, drone authorisations, location releases and insurance.
Location scouting
Our own database of beaches, jungle, volcano, cloud forest, colonial towns and urban San José, recce trips and location management.
Local crew hiring
Bilingual production coordinators, camera and sound crew, gaffers and grips, art department, hair and make-up, casting and extras.
Equipment rental
Cameras, lenses, lighting, grip, generators, drones and underwater gear, sourced locally or brought in under ATA Carnet.
Logistics & travel
4×4 and van fleet, boats, accommodation, catering, customs at the airport and visas for your crew.
Budget & local invoicing
Cost control, local invoicing and one clear estimate in dollars or euros, plus help with the tax incentives for international productions.
WHERE WE SHOOT
Six regions, one production team
Guanacaste
Golden beaches, dry tropical forest and the most reliable light in the country from December to April.
Pacific coast
Manuel Antonio, Jacó and the surf towns: jungle meeting the sea, an hour or two from San José.
Caribbean
Puerto Viejo, Cahuita and Tortuguero: a different light, rhythm and culture from the Pacific side.
Central Valley & San José
The capital, coffee towns, colonial churches and the closest locations to crew, studios and the airport.
Northern Zone
Arenal volcano, La Fortuna waterfalls and the cloud forest of Monteverde.
Southern Zone
Corcovado, Drake Bay and the Osa peninsula: the wildest, most biodiverse corner of Costa Rica.
HOW WE WORK
From brief to wrap in four steps
01
Brief
Send us the script, treatment or deck and your dates. We come back the same day with a first read on feasibility, season and permits.
02
Proposal in 48 h
Locations, crew, equipment and a first budget. We adjust it with you until it fits the creative and the numbers.
03
Prep
Permits with the Film Commission and SINAC, recce trips, casting, travel and a shared production calendar.
04
Shoot & wrap
Our producer and local crew on set every day. At wrap: returns, invoicing and post-production if you need it.
FAQ
Shooting in Costa Rica: what producers ask us
Still have questions? Send us a WhatsApp or write to info@fonktowncr.com.
How long do filming permits take in Costa Rica?
Municipal and Film Commission permits usually take 5 to 15 working days. National parks and protected areas (SINAC) need more lead time, so the earlier we start, the better.
When is the best time of year to shoot?
December to April is the dry season on the Pacific side and in Guanacaste. The Caribbean has its own pattern, with drier months in September and October. We plan around the light you need.
Can we bring our own equipment?
Yes, with an ATA Carnet; we handle customs at the airport. Most standard camera, lighting and grip packages are also available locally.
Do you work in English?
Yes. Our production team and coordinators are bilingual and used to working with international agencies and directors.
Are there tax incentives for filming in Costa Rica?
Yes. Costa Rica’s film investment law offers tax benefits, including a VAT refund, for qualifying international productions. We tell you if your project qualifies and handle the paperwork.
What kind of productions do you take on?
Commercials, branded content, documentaries, TV series, unscripted formats and photo shoots, from a two-person crew to a full-scale production.
Planning a shoot in Costa Rica?
Tell us what you are shooting and when. You will have a full production proposal within 48 hours.
