Adult Entertainment Laws in Costa Rica

It is a grey area. Prostitution is not clearly criminalised in Costa Rica, but neither is it formally regulated, and related activities may still be offences.

Brothels occupy a grey area in Costa Rica: not explicitly permitted, but not clearly prohibited either.

Street prostitution is a grey area in Costa Rica and is often dealt with under public order rules rather than a specific law.

Advertising sits in a grey area in Costa Rica — widely done, but without clear legal footing.

There is moderate legal risk for clients in Costa Rica. Enforcement varies, and related activities such as soliciting can still be offences even where paying itself is tolerated.

Sex workers face a moderate level of legal risk in Costa Rica. Enforcement varies, and some related activities remain offences.

Individual sex work is not criminalised. Facilitation and promotion remain illegal. San José's "Gringo Gulch" (around Calle de la Amargura) is known for sex tourism. No formal regulatory framework.