Canada-Costa Rica relations

Bilateral relations

Canada and Costa Rica established diplomatic relations in 1961. The two countries enjoy a multi-faceted relationship with open political dialogue and a strong and evolving trade and investment relationship. Canada and Costa Rica have shared priorities and work together in multilateral forums in many areas, including human rights, democracy, rule of law, environmental protection, gender equality, irregular migration and security.

In Costa Rica, Canada is represented by the Embassy of Canada to Costa Rica, in San Jose. In Canada, Costa Rica is represented by the Embassy of Costa Rica to Canada in Ottawa as well as an Honorary Consulate in Vancouver and a Consulate in Toronto.

Trade relations

Costa Rica is a significant bilateral trade partner for Canada in Central America, totaling CAD $1.04B in 2023. Canadian exports, predominantly farm and fishing products, electronic and electrical equipment, consumer goods, minerals, and plastics, were valued at CAD $319.9M in 2023. Imports from Costa Rica, consisting largely of farm and fishing products, electronic and electrical equipment, consumer goods, motor vehicles and parts, and plastics, were valued at CAD $720.4M in 2023.

Clean technologies, education, information and communications technologies, infrastructure and agriculture are considered key sectors for Canadian companies in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica joined the Global Trade and Gender Arrangement (GTAGA) in May 2023, as a means to work closely with Canada and other members to promote gender responsive trade policies and advance gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.

The entry into force of the Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement (CCRFTA) in November 2002 enabled the development of trade relations between the two countries. Parallel agreements on environment and labour cooperation were also signed at that time. Canada and Costa Rica have an Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investments (FIPA) that came into force in September 1999.

Canada and Costa Rica benefit from education exchanges. Students from Costa Rica are eligible to apply to Global Affairs Canada’s Emerging Leaders of the Americas Program. Established in 2009, this program funds students from Latin America and the Caribbean to complete short-term exchanges in Canadian post-secondary institutions at the college, undergraduate and graduate levels. Costa Rica is the number one destination for students under the Global Skills Opportunity program, the national Canadian student mobility pilot program.

International assistance

Though Costa Rica is not a recipient of a bilateral assistance program, Canada is active through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) in supporting civil society and other partner organizations working on issues related to democracy, freedom of expression, irregular migration, gender equality and climate action. Canada also supports Costa Rica with humanitarian assistance to respond to natural disasters and food insecurity.

In 2023-2024, through its Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP), Canada supported Costa Rica in two initiatives relating to women, peace and security. Canada assisted Costa Rica with the development of its National Action Plan on Resolution 1325 of the Security Council at the United Nations - which calls for women to participate in peacebuilding, be protected from human rights violations, and have access to justice. Additionally, through the TAP, Canada was able to support the creation of Costa Rica’s first bill to criminalize stalking, which was approved by the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica in April 2024.

Canada supports Costa Rica’s security efforts through Global Affairs Canada’s Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP). Since 2009, Global Affairs Canada has supported programming in Costa Rica through the ACCBP with projects focused on tackling illicit drugs, corruption, human trafficking and migrant smuggling, cybercrime, and proceeds of crime, including money laundering.

Alongside Global Affairs Canada, several Government of Canada departments provide capacity building support and technical assistance to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. For example, Canada provides support to countries in Latin America to better manage and respond to large-scale irregular migration and forced displacement through capacity-building assistance delivered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, including in the areas of asylum system strengthening, promoting regular and alternative migration pathways, and supporting socioeconomic integration of migrants and refugees.

Partnerships and organizations

To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Costa Rica work closely in multilateral fora, such as:

Date modified:: 2024-08-21

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