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In Dentons, we understand our clients' needs and strategic objectives, proactively identifying challenges and opportunities to provide them with the best legal and business advice. We become their strategic ally, offering creative and high-quality solutions through our legal and non-legal experts. Dentons has an unparalleled global reach and exceptional local knowledge that allows us to support our clients in expanding and entering other markets. We protect any position, asset, or property and help mitigate risks. Our team also supports their day-to-day operations to achieve efficiency and consistency. Our network of contacts enables us to support clients in financing or providing financing.

With a robust and constantly evolving economy, Costa Rica has experienced sustained growth supported by progressive policies, quality education, and a highly skilled workforce. Our office and team in San José are a fundamental pillar for guiding foreign and local investors in the country's dynamic legal and economic landscape. Costa Rica, known for its political stability, solid infrastructure, and commitment to sustainability, has emerged as a strategic destination for foreign direct investment, offering exceptional opportunities in various sectors. From prosperous seaports in the Caribbean to dynamic commercial ports on the Pacific coast, including cross-border businesses with Panama and Nicaragua and the growing agro-industrial sector in the country's interior, San José is where the country comes together to do business. Trust us to seize the extraordinary opportunity in one of Latin America's most important destinations for capital and trade. Our team is connected with the vibrant business and political community of the city, offering a global perspective with deep local expertise. Our team comprises passionate and innovative strategists, helping our clients, stakeholders, and employees compete and succeed in a competitive global market. We are committed to providing business solutions tailored to the specific needs of each client to ensure a successful and ethical entry into the Costa Rican market.

Our main service areas:

• Competition Law
• Corporate
• Litigation and Dispute Resolution
• Real Estate
• Public Administrations
• Intellectual Property and Technology
• Banking and Finance
• Tax
• Labor
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Compliance
• Public Law
• RightShoring

Accolades

Chambers Latin America 2024

• Corporate/M&A: “José Antonio Muñoz of Dentons Central America is based in San José and is noted for his corporate expertise.” – Chambers Latin America, 2024
• Dispute Resolution: “Dentons is a premier international firm with a highly esteemed dispute resolution department in Costa Rica. The significant team is noted for its expertise across civil, commercial and criminal litigation. The lawyers boast additional skills in domestic and international arbitration proceedings held under CICA and ICC rules. The law firm routinely handles breach of commercial contract conflicts and is often seen assisting significant actors from the construction and telecommunication sectors.” – Chambers Latin America, 2024
• E&L: “Dentons boasts a strong labour and employment department. The respected international firm offers expertise spanning a wide array of matters in this area, including the drafting of employee contracts, terminations and collective bargaining. The legal team is also adept at representing clients in labour litigation proceedings, as well as advising on immigration issues. The department's client roster includes Costa Rican and international clients, with Smartsheet, Palo Alto Networks and Findasense being recent additions to the list.” – Chambers Latin America, 2024
• Real Estate: “Dentons is an established international firm with significant experience in advising Costa Rican and international clients on real estate transactions. The law firm assists with the acquisition and sale of real estate assets, as well as with the structuring and development of real estate projects. The department is also adept at handling the construction of industrial parks on greenfield sites, and at representing clients in adverse possession proceedings.” – Chambers Latin America, 2024

The Legal 500 Latin America 2024

• Corporate and M&A: “The Dentons team provides comprehensive legal services and valuable support in addressing issues in the Central American and Caribbean region. They have a network of correspondents and branches that ensure that their services are provided in a timely, efficient manner and are of the best quality.” – Legal 500 Latin America, 2024
• Dispute Resolution: "The service received by the professionals at Dentons made me feel secure and confident, and I also know that they consulted professionals in the field of the dispute that we were resolving and that gave me peace of mind." – Legal 500 Latin America, 2024
• E&L: “We are interested in a labour lawyer who knows the subject well, who knows how to explain it in writing and verbally in a practical, summarised way and additionally who can do it as well in English as in Spanish. In the case of Dentons, with the expert Anna Karina Jiménez we found these qualities.” – Legal 500 Latin America, 2024

Recognition

Dentons achieves 157 rankings in Chambers Latin America 2025

August 23, 2024

Independent legal publisher Chambers and Partners continues to recognize Dentons lawyers as market leaders throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Dentons excels in Chambers Latin America 2024

August 25, 2023

Top legal rankings publisher Chambers once again recommends Dentons' excellent client service and legal expertise throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Dentons achieves top rankings in Chambers Latin America 2022

August 27, 2021

Latin America: Chambers Latin America 2022 has awarded Dentons 125 quality rankings across the Latin America region. Together with the Chambers Global and Brazil guides, the leading legal publisher now recognizes Dentons offices across Brazil, Chile, the Caribbean, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Bolivia’s previously announced combination Guevara & Gutierrez.

View all recognition for San José

Insights

Costa Rica Commercial Code has been reformed: Corporate Names Replaced by Legal Entity IDs for New Companies

June 6, 2025

Costa Rica: A recent reform to the Costa Rican Commercial Code marks a turning point in how new companies will be legally identified in the country. This change directly impacts the incorporation of companies and the strategic management of assets such as trade names. At Dentons, we analyze what this transformation means for the Costa Rican business ecosystem and how to prepare for this new legal landscape.

Costa Rica Goes Digital: New Law Makes Email the Official Channel for Legal Notifications

June 3, 2025

Costa Rica: Is your company ready to adapt to the new era of digital legal notifications in Costa Rica? With the enactment of Law No. 10597, email is now the official channel for legal and administrative communications to legal entities. This reform introduces new obligations and deadlines that must be addressed promptly. We invite you to read the full article to understand the key changes, their legal implications, and how to ensure proper compliance.

Gig Economy and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Costa Rica: How to Leverage Tax Benefits for Growth

April 14, 2025

Costa Rica: Do you work independently in Costa Rica? You might be missing out on important tax benefits. This article explores a little-known opportunity that could help you reduce taxes, formalize your business, and grow as a digital entrepreneur or freelancer. If you're part of the gig economy, this is more relevant to you than you might think.

View all insights for San José

News and Events

Recent Press Releases

Dentons achieves 157 rankings in Chambers Latin America 2025

August 23, 2024

Independent legal publisher Chambers and Partners continues to recognize Dentons lawyers as market leaders throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Dentons Costa Rica advises Namu Travel on a revolving loan with IDB Invest

November 16, 2023

Costa Rica: This transaction represents a ground-breaking initiative to boost the tourism sector, as it will allow tourism service providers to access capital to strengthen their financial capacity and business growth. Dentons advised Namu Travel during all the transaction’s stages including the structuring, negotiation and closing to ensure the success of the deal.

Dentons excels in Chambers Latin America 2024

August 25, 2023

Top legal rankings publisher Chambers once again recommends Dentons' excellent client service and legal expertise throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

View all press releases for San José