Payment methods in Costa Rica

Generic online and mobile bank-transfer methods (internet banking, e-banking, EFT and interbank transfers). Customers pay directly from their bank account via their bank's own online/mobile banking portal. Implementation and rails differ by country, but the consumer flow is a standard account-to-account bank transfer.

Multiple fintech-based digital wallets are gaining traction in Costa Rica's growing e-commerce market, including international platforms such as PayPal and regional offerings. BNPL providers such as Cleo and Venti (both active regionally) are expanding into the market.

Visa is the world's largest card network, enabling credit, debit and prepaid card payments online, in-store and at ATMs across virtually every market. In the listed countries Visa is a core internationally accepted scheme alongside local methods.

Mastercard is a leading global card network supporting credit, debit and prepaid card payments online, in-store and at ATMs worldwide. In the listed countries it is a core internationally accepted scheme.

SINPE Móvil is an instant payment system launched in 2015 by the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR). It allows users to send and receive money instantly using only a mobile phone number as the alias, with transfers settling in real time between any of the participating banks. By mid-2024 it had 3 million users and 4 million accounts; by early 2025, active users exceeded 3.5 million conducting 15 million transactions per month. The system grew 27% in 2024 and has driven a dramatic reduction in cash and ATM usage.

American Express is widely accepted in Panama, particularly in hotels, restaurants, and the business services sector concentrated in Panama City. Panama's role as a regional business hub and the Colón Free Zone drives above-average AmEx acceptance compared to other Central American countries.