A Filmmaker’s Guide
to Shooting in Costa Rica
Our company works with local professionals to make sure you
are getting the right help throughout media production.
Permits in Costa Rica: What You Need to Know
If you want to film in the Central American state of Costa Rica, the kind of permit you can apply for and get depends on where you want to shoot. For instance, a local permit that gives you and your crew permission to film in streets and other city areas can generally be issued within a few days of applying. Getting the green light for locations such as protected areas and heritage parks may take up to 16 working days, as they require national-level authorizations.
To get you started with this process, here’s what all types of permit applications must include:
CVs of key crew members
Filming permit application form
Project synopsis and script
Location plan and shooting schedule
Equipment and crew list
Letter of intent
Production budget
Timing Your Costa Rica Film Production around the Weather
When you want to shoot in Costa Rica generally depends on what you want to shoot. If you’re looking for rainy jungle scenes and spectacularly stormy skies, then planning your film dates between May and November is a good idea. The wet season offers gorgeously lush landscapes. But ensuring your crew and equipment are well-protected from the damp is essential, as is having a good logistical plan for organizing
The dry season in Costa Rica, which falls between the months of December and April, is much more manageable for filming. The weather is warm and sunny, skies are clear, and if you want to film in the jungle at this time, you won’t have to battle against constant rainfall.
Planning Filming Equipment Rental & Local Crew Logistics
Costa Rica is not an ATA carnet country, which means that renting all the film gear you need for your project here in the country is usually a more cost-effective idea. This is certainly true for small or mid-size productions. Local rental houses offer a wide range of professional cameras, lighting, and grip gear, and the new Film Investment Attraction Law allows temporary importation of foreign equipment with suspension of import taxes. The law still insists on the applicable paperwork and local guarantees.
You will have to comply with the temporary import rules managed by PROCOMER (Promotora del Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica) and customs authorities. It’s essential that you work with a local producer such as Costa Rica Fixers and a professional customs broker experienced in film production imports, as all the administrative materials will have to be submitted in person through the PROCOMER offices in San José.
Costa Rica also boasts a large number of English speaking production professionals, most of whom have international experience working with foreign teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it an ATA carnet country?
No, it is not.
Is it safe for me and my team to film there?
Yes, it is very safe.
Do I need a visa or a work visa to film there?
For short-term filming in Costa Rica, most foreign crews from the US/Canada, the UK, and most EU countries can enter visa-free for up to 90 days.
However, shoots that take longer than 3 months will need to apply for a temporary residence or work permit through the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería), often coordinated with the Costa Rica Film Commission.
Do I need a local company to film or get visas there?
Not strictly, but a local company will be needed to manage PROCOMER and other applications, so having them on board for at least that is a good idea.
Do I need a permit for drones?
Yes, a permit from the Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) is necessary for any professional or commercial drone operation in Costa Rica.
Is there a cash rebate/tax exemption or any other fiscal advantage?
Costa Rica doesn’t have an international cash rebate program. However, approved foreign film productions can receive exemptions from import duties, income tax, and VAT on goods and services through the country’s Film Investment Attraction Law (Law No. 10071). This fiscal support is managed through the Costa Rica Film Commission and PROCOMER.
Can I shoot in a national park and, if so, under what circumstances?
If you have prior authorization from SINAC, the National System of Conservation Areas under the Ministry of Environment and Energy, it is possible to shoot in a national park.
Working with Costa Rica Fixers
We’re one of the most called-up film fixers in Costa Rica, known for our top-level work on both complex and short-term international shoots. As a member of the global network Storytailors, we provide an extensive list of services that will bring you from early pre-production research and location scouting to everything you need once the production is rolling out, including securing crews, kits, and transportation; managing locations; operating drones; and undertaking all other logistics. Our client list is long and impressive, and includes our work on the Hulu TV design show House of Ali, as well as campaigns for Mastercard, Netflix, the BBC, and more.
