Shopify agency for Costa Rican brands
Shopify stores for Costa Rican coffee, wellness and lifestyle brands, with SINPE Móvil, electronic invoicing and delivery that works across the country.
Shopify experts for Costa Rica brands
Costa Rica has one of the most connected populations in Central America, with high smartphone use and a growing habit of buying online. SINPE Móvil, the instant phone-number transfer system, has become a part of everyday life, and many small brands sell through Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp before moving to a store. Local coffee, chocolate, natural skincare and surf and outdoor brands also attract visitors and buyers abroad.
BOOST STAR Experts helps Costa Rican brands build and grow Shopify stores. We set up card payments and SINPE Móvil, connect electronic invoicing so each order meets Hacienda’s requirements, organise delivery through local couriers and write Spanish content and SEO. For export brands we add English storefronts and shipping to the US, where many former visitors become loyal customers.
Selling online in Costa Rica: what your store needs
SINPE Móvil and local cards
SINPE Móvil lets Costa Ricans send money instantly using a phone number, and many shoppers prefer it for online orders. Cards are also widely used, often through BAC Credomatic and other local banks, and PayPal is familiar for international purchases. Shopify Payments is not available, so stores use a local or regional gateway alongside PayPal.
IVA, e-invoicing and data protection
Costa Rica applies IVA at a general rate of 13%. Electronic invoicing (factura electrónica) through the Ministry of Finance, known as Hacienda, is mandatory for most businesses, so each sale needs a valid electronic receipt. Law 8968 protects personal data, overseen by PRODHAB, and requires clear consent for marketing.
Couriers, mailboxes and local delivery
Correos de Costa Rica and private couriers deliver nationwide, with motorbike couriers for same-day orders in the Central Valley. Costa Ricans are used to courier mailbox services such as Aeropost for buying from US stores. Addresses often use landmarks, so delivery notes and phone numbers are essential at checkout.
Spanish, visitors and ‘pura vida’ brands
Spanish is the language of local shoppers, and brands often use friendly, informal Costa Rican expressions. Tourism brings many visitors from the US and Canada, who discover coffee, chocolate and natural products during their trip. Sustainability and nature are strong themes that resonate with both local and international customers.
Payments, delivery and compliance in Costa Rica
- SINPE Móvil
- Credit & debit cards
- PayPal
- Local card gateway
- Bank transfer
- Cash on delivery
- Correos de Costa Rica
- Local courier companies
- Motorbike couriers (Central Valley)
- DHL Express
- Courier mailbox services
- IVA (13%)
- Electronic invoicing (Hacienda)
- Law 8968 & PRODHAB data protection
- Consumer protection rules
Shopify agency services across Costa Rica
Working together
Costa Rica is 11.5 hours behind India, almost the opposite side of the clock. We meet in your early morning or late afternoon, which falls in our evening or early morning, and most work happens while you sleep, ready for review when you wake up.
Time zone: CST (UTC−6, no daylight saving). Currency: CRC (₡). Languages: Spanish.
How we work
Discovery call
We learn your goals, catalogue, tech stack and market, then agree what success looks like.
Audit & roadmap
A store, SEO and competitor audit turns into a prioritised roadmap with a timeline and fixed quote.
Design & build
UX, design and development in sprints, with a private preview store you review at every step.
Launch
QA across devices, redirects, tracking and a planned go-live with no downtime.
Grow
SEO, CRO and paid campaigns compound results month after month, with clear reporting.
Ongoing support
A dedicated team for fixes, new features and seasonal campaigns when you need them.
Frequently asked questions
Can our Shopify store accept SINPE Móvil?
Yes. The simplest method is a manual payment option where customers send the amount by SINPE Móvil to your number and add the order reference. Some local payment providers also offer automated options. We set up whichever fits your volume, with orders held until payment is confirmed.
Can Shopify issue Costa Rican electronic invoices?
Yes, through an invoicing app or provider connected to Hacienda’s system. We connect the provider to Shopify so an electronic invoice or receipt is generated for each order, with customer ID details collected at checkout when needed. We test it with real orders before launch so your accountant sees clean records.
Can we sell coffee and chocolate to the US?
Yes. We set up an English storefront, prices in US dollars and shipping to the US with clear delivery times. Food imports must meet US requirements, such as FDA facility registration, which your exporter or broker can confirm before you start selling.
How do you manage the 11.5-hour time difference?
We schedule calls in your early morning or late afternoon, which matches our evening or early morning. Most work happens while you sleep, so you review changes when your day starts. Launches are planned in advance, with someone available at the agreed time.
Can you write Spanish content for Costa Rican shoppers?
Yes. We work with Spanish-speaking writers and adapt content to Costa Rican usage rather than generic Spanish. SEO research uses local search terms, and your team reviews key pages before launch so the tone feels natural to local customers.