Exploring a Thriving Cinematic Destination

Costa Rica is known for its lush natural beauty, biodiversity, and political stability. In recent years, this small paradise has become an attractive destination for the film industry. In this article, we will explore the advantages of filming in Costa Rica and why more and more international producers and directors choose this country for their projects.

Impressive Natural Settings

Costa Rica is famous for its stunning natural landscapes, ranging from paradisiacal beaches, tropical jungles, volcanoes, waterfalls, to mountains. These settings provide a variety of options for setting films of different genres, from adventures and documentaries to dramas and romantic comedies. It’s worth mentioning that these diverse settings are located in close proximity to each other, as Costa Rica is a small country covering only 51,100 square kilometers. You can travel from the north to the south or from east to west in 4 to 8 hours, depending on the traffic.

Unique Biodiversity

Costa Rica holds approximately 6.5% of the planet’s biodiversity. This natural wealth provides a wide variety of ecosystems, from cloud forests to mangroves, which can become the ideal backdrop for any type of production. The abundance of exotic animal species, such as monkeys, sloths, toucans, and jaguars, allows for the recreation of authentic scenes that immerse viewers in a rich and diverse natural world.

Safety and Political Stability

Costa Rica is one of the countries with one of the most stable and peaceful democracies in the world. The country abolished its army in 1948 and has maintained a tradition of peace and stability since then. This translates into a sense of security for the entire team involved in the production, which helps to focus more on creative, logistical, and technical work.

Infraestructure

The country has a modern and well-developed infrastructure, including international airports in San Jose and Liberia, which facilitate access to the country from different parts of the world. Route 27 is one of Costa Rica’s most important highways as it connects San Jose (the central region of the country) with the Pacific coast in less than an hour. This allows production teams to optimize shooting time by being able to film in very different settings within a reduced timeframe.

“Pura Vida” Philosophy and High-Level Talent

Costa Ricans are known for their “Pura Vida” philosophy, which translates into a pleasant and collaborative working environment. Foreign production teams feel welcome and supported, which is essential for the success of any production.

Additionally, Costa Rica has a wide variety of talented and dedicated professionals. With over 30 years of experience in the international market and 13 universities training professionals in the sector, Costa Rica has a strong foundation.

Another important point to mention is the level of English proficiency among the local crew, who have developed high-level communication skills in English, facilitating interaction among all team members. Costa Rica is the Latin American country with the highest English proficiency.

Fiscal Incentives and Government Support

Costa Rica offers fiscal incentives and government support to attract international productions. The country has implemented a series of measures to encourage investment in the film industry. Fiscal benefits, such as exemptions that can be applied to VAT, import taxes, and other production-related taxes, are provided.

The government also offers facilities in bureaucratic procedures, helping to streamline the process of obtaining permits, licenses, and authorizations required for filming in the country. All of these fiscal incentives and government support demonstrate Costa Rica’s commitment to the development of its film and audiovisual industry.

Cultural Diversity and Adaptability

Costa Rica’s cultural richness, with indigenous, Spanish, and Afro-Caribbean influences, provides a wide range of possibilities for telling stories and creating diverse characters. This cultural diversity offers a variety of artistic influences from different traditions and cultural expressions.

Support by the Film Commission of Costa Rica

The Costa Rican Film Commission was founded in 2013. It was created with the purpose of promoting and facilitating film and audiovisual productions in the country, as well as to encourage foreign investment in the Costa Rican audiovisual industry.

The Film Commission is responsible for providing advice, facilitating permits and coordinating with different institutions and entities to support the production of audiovisual productions in Costa Rica.

Film your audiovisual production in Costa Rica

Choosing Costa Rica as a filming destination offers countless advantages for the film industry. Its combination of stunning natural settings, unique biodiversity, political stability, quality infrastructure, cultural diversity, and government support make Costa Rica an exceptional place to carry out any film productions.

Contact us if you want to film your audiovisual production in Costa Rica: