Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Portrait of Nicaraguan refugee Angela Torres, 36, preparing food in her restaurant that she opened after participating in the Graduation Model Approach with HIAS Costa Rica. San José, July 20, 2023. (Mayela López Corrales for HIAS)
HIAS Costa Rica | Support For Refugees In Costa Rica | HIAS

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

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 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 100,000 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 supports refugees to build new lives and reunite with family members in safety and freedom. Our programs target the most vulnerable refugees and migrants, providing a range of different services that empower people and create conditions to live in safety and dignity.

We work to protect the right of women, girls, and LGBTQ communities to access their full potential and live free from violence by supporting survivors, mitigating risks, and transforming beliefs that perpetuate GBV.

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We provide legal services and support, including free legal representation for asylum seekers so that everyone around the world, including displaced people, can have equal access to their legal rights.

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Our economic inclusion programs ensure that refugees have economic opportunities to earn sustainable income and start their lives anew.

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We work to protect the right of women, girls, and LGBTQ communities to access their full potential and live free from violence by supporting survivors, mitigating risks, and transforming beliefs that perpetuate GBV.

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Impact Story

A Refugee Restaurant Serving up Delicious Meals

Angela Torres, 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.

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Portrait of Nicaraguan refugee exiled in Costa Rica, Erika Sánchez, 36, at her business

Portrait of Nicaraguan refugee exiled in Costa Rica, Angela Torres, 36, at her restaurant that she started after participating in the Graduation Model Approach at HIAS Costa Rica. July 20, 2023. (Mayela Lopez Corrales for HIAS)

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.

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