Costa Rica has taken a firm step in its international projection by positioning itself as the country with the best reputation in Latin America, according to the results of the prestigious RepCore Nations 2025 index. The study, conducted by the consulting firm Reputation Lab, reveals that the Central American nation not only tops positive perception in the region but also sets a competitiveness benchmark for its neighbors.
The report was based on a robust methodology that included more than 61,000 surveys carried out in 38 countries. A crucial aspect of the analysis was the evaluation of public opinion in G7 nations (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada), whose citizens identified Costa Rica as the most reliable and admired destination among 20 Latin American economies evaluated. In the regional podium, Costa Rica is followed by Peru and Puerto Rico, respectively.
According to experts, this leadership is no coincidence but the result of decades of investment in strategic pillars. Environmental sustainability, ethical strength, a consolidated democratic institutional framework, and a high perceived quality of life are the attributes that weigh most in the minds of international respondents. Adriana Acosta, director of the Esencial Costa Rica Country Brand, noted that these results confirm that prioritizing the well-being of people and the environment generates tangible trust in global markets.
Beyond national pride, good reputation has a direct and measurable economic impact. The study highlights that a country’s image functions as a financial asset: an improvement in the reputation indicator translates, on average, into a 7.2% increase in the economic value of tourist arrivals and a 1% rise in foreign direct investment (FDI). For an open economy like Costa Rica’s, this “reputation capital” is key to boosting foreign trade and attracting high value-added projects.
Even when compared with the six largest economies in Latin America —including major players such as Brazil, Mexico and Argentina— Costa Rica manages to remain in privileged positions, ranking third overall behind only Uruguay and Brazil. This scenario reaffirms that, despite internal challenges, Costa Rica’s “brand” continues to be one of its most valuable assets on the global stage.
