Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast opens its doors to domestic and international private capital.
Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly approved in first debate a reform to the Organic Law of JAPDEVA (Law No. 3091), empowering this port authority to enter into strategic alliances and grant marina concessions to domestic and international private capital. The reform enables the development of port, logistics, and tourism infrastructure in the province of Limón under a clear legal framework, with terms of up to 50 years.
50 years
MAXIMUM ALLIANCE TERM
1.5%
MINIMUM FEE ON GROSS REVENUE
6 months
DEADLINE TO ISSUE REGULATIONS
Description
The reform introduces two concrete mechanisms for private participation:
Strategic Alliances
- Partnerships with domestic or foreign companies in capital investment, infrastructure, services, and technology.
- Use of JAPDEVA’s own real estate assets and development of its infrastructure.
- Port assets remain in the public domain and may be jointly operated with the private partner.
- Exemption from ordinary public procurement, while maintaining principles of transparency, publicity, and open competition.
Marina Concessions
- JAPDEVA may grant concessions for the development of marinas on assets under its administration.
- Aligned with the Law on Concession and Operation of Tourist Marinas and Docking Facilities (Law No. 7744).
- Applies within the framework of strategic alliances or public-private partnerships.
- Requires a favorable technical feasibility ruling from CIMAT (Inter-institutional Commission for Tourist Marinas and Docking Facilities).
Guarantees and Conditions
- All alliances must be approved by JAPDEVA’s Board of Directors.
- The Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic oversees and endorses the contracts.
- The private partner must pay a minimum fee of 1.5% of gross revenues to fund oversight and monitoring.
- Monopolistic practices — absolute or relative — are prohibited.
- Partners must demonstrate technical and financial capacity and submit a sworn statement regarding conflicts of interest.
- The Executive Branch must issue the implementing regulations within six months of the law’s publication, following a public consultation process.
Portfolio Snapshot
| Sector | Port infrastructure, logistics, and nautical tourism |
|---|---|
| Location | Province of Limón, Costa Rica (Caribbean coast) |
| Model | Strategic Alliance / PPP (Law No. 3091, 2026 reform) |
| Maximum term | 50 years |
| Minimum fee | 1.5% of the alliance’s gross revenues |
| Current status | Approved in first debate – June 22, 2026 |
| Regulatory framework | Law No. 3091 (JAPDEVA) · Law No. 7744 (Marinas) · Law No. 9986 (Public Procurement) |
| Competent authority | JAPDEVA / Board of Directors · Office of the Comptroller General |
For further information, please contact us: [email protected]
Source: Legislative File No. 24.259 · Approved at Plenary Session No. 28 on June 22, 2026.