Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Country Director

Roberto Mera

Office Locations

San Jose and Liberia
With staff in Los Chiles, Paso Canoas and Upala

Founded

2017

Staff Size

42

Contact

HIAS Costa Rica

+506 40 00 44 27 / 800-442-7271

Instagram
HIAS Costa Rica Overview 2022-2023 EnglishHIAS Costa Rica Overview 2022-2023 Spanish

As one of the most politically and economically stable countries in the region of Latin America and the Caribbean, Costa Rica attracts hundreds of thousands of migrants seeking a better life, and refugees seeking protection.

In the past five years, Costa Rica has experienced a significant increase in the number of arrivals of refugee and asylum seekers. Costa Rica currently hosts more than 120,000 refugees and asylum seekers, the majority from Nicaragua and Venezuela. Others have fled from El Salvador, Colombia, and Honduras.

18,000

people reached through services and activities in 2021

Our Work

HIAS Costa Rica’s protection program includes individual legal representation, access to legal information, border monitoring activities, and training for local authorities. HIAS’ economic inclusion program helps refugees, asylum seekers, and vulnerable migrants access dignified and sustainable livelihoods, leading to self-reliance and inclusion in their new communities.

End Violence Against Women and Girls
Learn More

Impact Story

Portrait of Nicaraguan refugee exiled in Costa Rica, Erika Sánchez, 36, at her business “Refresquería y Antojitos La Monimboseña”, that she started after participating in the Graduation Model Approach at HIAS Costa Rica. July 20, 2023. (Mayela Lopez Corrales for HIAS)

A Refugee Restaurant Serving up Delicious Meals

Erika Sanchez, a refugee from Nicaragua, participated in the Graduation Model Approach program with HIAS Costa Rica, and as a result, opened her own thriving restaurant. Now she serves up flavors of home and also dishes from her new host community.

Read more

Partners

UNHCR/IOM Regional Platform for the Venezuela Situation Response (R4V)

REDLAC (IASC Regional Work Group Risk, Emergencies and Disasters)

HIAS’ services are free. If someone tries to charge you for services claiming they represent HIAS, please report it at our confidential email address: ethics@hias.org. HIAS has a zero-tolerance policy on fraud and corruption. 

For any other inquiries please email us at info@hias.org.