Source: https://rivet.global/blog/costa-rica-companies-us-clients-dollars-colones-sinpe
Published: 2026-10-04 · Updated: 2026-10-04 · By Rashidatou K.

# Costa Rican companies with US clients: dollars, colones and SINPE

Costa Rica's service exporters bill US clients in dollars and pay local costs in colones. How to collect dollars in full, hold them, and use SINPE for local payments.

## Key takeaways

- Costa Rican businesses commonly use both dollars and colones; dollar accounts are widespread.
- US clients wiring dollars to Costa Rican banks send international wires, which can be slow and lose fees.
- SINPE, the Central Bank's payment system, moves colones and dollars between local accounts quickly.
- Converting dollars to colones on a schedule, rather than on each receipt, steadies the local budget.

A San José digital agency bills two US clients about $52,000 a month. It pays staff partly in colones and partly in dollars, and rent in dollars. US payments arrive by international wire, three to five days after the clients send them, sometimes $30 short. Local payments go out by SINPE the same day.

## Two currencies, one business

Costa Rica uses colones as its currency, but dollars are part of everyday business: contracts, rents, some salaries and many prices. Companies hold dollar and colón accounts side by side.

That makes Costa Rican service exporters less exposed to currency moves than many. The remaining costs are on the way in, from US clients, and at the conversion to colones.

## The US client side

US companies pay their vendors by ACH. Paying a Costa Rican account means an international wire, often handled separately by their accounts payable team. US account details in the agency's own name let clients pay by ACH, in full, usually within one to two business days.

## Converting to colones

Colón costs, such as part of payroll, local taxes, social security contributions to the CCSS and local suppliers, need colones. Converting a planned amount ahead of payroll, rather than every receipt as it arrives, keeps the colón budget steady.

## SINPE for local payments

The Central Bank's SINPE system moves funds between Costa Rican accounts quickly, in colones and dollars. Once funds reach your Costa Rican bank, payroll and suppliers can be paid the same day.

## Paying into Costa Rica: the local rail

| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Local rail | SINPE Móvil and SINPE transfers |
| Run by | Banco Central de Costa Rica |
| Settlement | SINPE Móvil in seconds; SINPE transfers within the day |

Source: [Banco Central de Costa Rica: SINPE](https://www.bccr.fi.cr/). Checked when this guide was last updated; the scheme's own page has the current figures.

## Where Rivet fits

A Rivet business account accepts registered companies after verification, including Costa Rican companies. Approved companies get US account details in their own name on every plan, so US clients pay by ACH, euro and sterling details from the Growth plan, and payouts in 120+ countries, including to their Costa Rican bank. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds.

## Questions

### Can Costa Rican companies hold dollars?

Yes. Dollars are widely used, and companies hold dollar accounts at local banks.

### What is SINPE?

The Central Bank of Costa Rica's national electronic payment system. SINPE Móvil handles instant small payments by phone; SINPE transfers move funds between bank accounts.

### Why do US client payments take time?

International wires pass through correspondent banks and often need extra approvals at US companies.

### Do Costa Rican companies charge IVA on exported services?

Exports of services can be exempt from IVA when they meet the law's conditions. Check with your accountant.