A payment gateway is a technology that enables businesses to accept online payments by authorizing and processing transactions using various methods, such as credit cards, digital wallets, and bank transfers. It acts as a bridge between the consumer’s option to pay and the merchant’s financial institution, ensuring a smooth and secure transaction process. These systems use encryption to protect sensitive data, ensuring that financial information is securely transmitted. As e-commerce continues to grow, businesses in Costa Rica must select reliable solutions for efficient transaction processing that meet both local and international needs.
The best payment provider for Costa Rica in our ranking is NOWPayments because it provides low fees and supports a wide range of options, including cryptocurrencies, which are becoming increasingly popular among locals. NOWPayments’ ability to integrate easily with many digital commerce platforms makes it an excellent choice for businesses seeking to enhance their online sales. The processor’s flexibility in accepting both traditional and digital methods allows businesses to cater to a diverse customer base. Moreover, its robust security measures ensure that businesses can handle international transactions with confidence.
Choosing the right payment provider matters more than ever in Costa Rica in 2026, as businesses aim to streamline their operations in an increasingly digital economy. With the growing preference for mobile transactions and alternative methods, selecting the right solution can improve efficiency and customer satisfaction. Whether processing small purchases or larger transactions, businesses need a secure platform that supports local options like Visa and Mastercard while also enabling international purchases. A reliable system ensures that small business owners can stay competitive and reduce fees, which is key to increasing profit margins in this vibrant market.
Here’s a list of payment gateways for businesses in Costa Rica:
- NOWPayments
- Mercado Libre
- Rapipago
- Placetopay
- Culqi
What We Considered When Choosing the Best Payment Gateway: Our Selection Criteria
Our goal was to create an unbiased comparison based on features that are critical for businesses in Costa Rica. We focused on key aspects that would directly affect the functionality and efficiency of payment processing, ensuring that each provider selected meets the specific needs of businesses in this area.
The three most relevant criteria we considered are:
- Supported Assets: Essential for attracting a global or tech-savvy customer base, allowing businesses to cater to customers who prefer to use digital currencies.
- Fees: Directly impacts profitability and is a top concern for cost-conscious merchants, ensuring that transaction costs remain manageable for businesses of all sizes.
- Integration Tools: Critical for businesses to deploy the solution quickly without heavy technical overhead, making it easier for merchants to adopt the platform with minimal effort.
The comparative table below summarizes how each provider performs in these three decisive categories, which we will explore in detail for each provider.
| Payment Gateway | Supported Assets | Fees | Integration Tools |
| NOWPayments | 350+ cryptocurrencies, 40+ fiat currencies | 0.5% monocurrency, 1% multicurrency; 0% Network Fees for USDT TRC20 deposits (first 2 months) | API, payment button & widget, POS |
| Mercado Libre | Credit & debit cards, bank transfers, digital wallets, QR, POS terminals | ~3.5–4% + fixed fee | API, SDKs, hosted checkout, SDK for mobile & web |
| Rapipago | Cash‑based prepaid vouchers | Typically low or fixed per voucher fee | Often integrated via third‑party providers that support QR/print codes |
| Placetopay | Credit & debit cards, bank transfers, cash, wallet solutions | Approx. 2.9% + fee based on region/contract | API, e‑commerce plugins, hosted payment links |
| Culqi | Credit & debit cards, recurring billing, refunds & tokenization | Standard card commission of 3.4–3.99% | API, plugins, tokenization features |
NOWPayments
NOWPayments is the best crypto payment gateway that enables businesses in Costa Rica to accept over 350 cryptocurrencies and 40+ fiat currencies, offering seamless integration for digital transactions. It provides low gas fees, with no setup or monthly charges, making it an ideal choice for cost-conscious businesses. NOWPayments stands out by offering robust integration tools like an API, buttons & widgets, and POS solutions, catering to both online and in-person sales. As cryptocurrencies continue to rise in popularity, NOWPayments offers businesses the opportunity to operate in this area’s growing fintech sector while tapping into the global payments landscape.
Supported Assets. NOWPayments supports a broad range of options, including over 350 cryptocurrencies and 40+ fiat currencies, providing businesses flexibility to cater to global and tech-savvy customers. This extensive method coverage ensures that both traditional and cryptocurrency users can make purchases, expanding the customer base. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are supported alongside stablecoins like USDT, as well as major fiat currencies like USD and Costa Rican colón. Businesses can easily diversify their payment acceptance to meet the needs of local and international clients.
| Payment Method | Accept | Withdraw |
| Cryptocurrency | ✅ | ✅ |
| Credit/Debit Cards | ✅ | ✅ |
Fees. NOWPayments offers competitive gas fees, with 0.5% for monocurrency and 1% for multicurrency payments, helping businesses reduce costs while accepting a range of digital currencies. Additionally, USDT TRC20 deposits come with no fees for the first two months, which is particularly beneficial for businesses starting to integrate cryptocurrency into their payment processing in Costa Rica. This makes it a cost-effective option for small businesses that want to offer global options with minimal overhead. The absence of setup or monthly fees makes it an attractive choice for businesses looking to increase their profits while keeping transaction costs low.
| Fee Type | Amount | Note |
| Transaction Fee | 0.5% | For monocurrency transactions |
| Multicurrency Fee | 1% | For transactions involving multiple currencies |
| USDT TRC20 Fee | 0% | Fee-free for the first 2 months for TRC20 deposits |
Integration Tools. NOWPayments provides various integration tools that allow businesses in Costa Rica to quickly accept mobile payments and online purchases. These tools include an easy-to-implement API, buttons, widgets, and POS solutions, which provide businesses the flexibility to accept payments from both online and in-person customers. The platform’s POS system makes it easy for physical stores to process transactions using credit and debit cards or mobile wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay. These integration options help businesses stay competitive by offering multiple ways for customers to pay.
| Integration Tools | Available |
| API | ✅ |
| E-commerce Plugins | ✅ |
| Payment Links | ✅ |
Mercado Libre
Mercado Libre is one of the largest e-commerce ecosystems in Latin America, and the company describes its business as a combination of Mercado Libre for commerce and Mercado Pago for fintech services. It operates in Costa Rica through its local marketplace and also offers a broader regional infrastructure that includes marketplace sales, logistics, advertising, and cross-border selling tools. Mercado Libre says its Global Selling program gives merchants access to 18 countries, 65 million buyers, 12 million sellers, and an average of 29 orders per second across the ecosystem. For businesses in Costa Rica, that makes Mercado Libre especially relevant as a regional sales channel rather than a standalone gateway in the narrow sense.
Supported Assets. The transaction experience should be understood as marketplace checkout powered by Mercado Pago rather than a separate processor branded only as Mercado Libre. Mercado Libre’s Global Selling materials state that sellers can list products in local currency and collect orders in USD, which is valuable for merchants targeting cross-border buyers. Mercado Pago’s official developer documentation also shows that the ecosystem supports online checkout solutions for websites and digital sales channels, which is why Mercado Libre remains commercially attractive for regional merchants.
- Number of Currencies: Local currency at checkout; sellers in Global Selling can collect in USD
- Stablecoins: ❌
- Traditional Cards: ✅
- Digital Wallets: ✅
- Bank Transfer: ✅
Fees. For Mercado Libre, the most accurate way to describe costs is through its seller fee structure, not the Mercado Pago standalone merchant pricing model. Mercado Libre states that listing products is free, while selling fees and shipping fees apply after an order is placed, and those charges vary by marketplace, category, and selling conditions. The company also notes that fee calculations depend on the product category and logistics model, so there is no single flat percentage that applies to every seller. That makes Mercado Libre a flexible commercial channel, but merchants in Costa Rica should treat its costs as marketplace commissions rather than a simple gateway processing rate.
| Fee Type | Amount | Note |
| Listing Fee | 0 | Listing products is free |
| Selling Fee | Varies | Depends on marketplace and product category |
| Shipping Fee | Varies | Depends on logistics model and order conditions |
Integration Tools. Mercado Libre offers developers and sellers a substantial integration layer through its Global Selling API and related seller tools. Official developer documentation highlights modules for items, orders, invoices, shipments, and labels, which makes the platform useful for merchants that want operational automation beyond checkout alone. The ecosystem also supports account creation for developers and API-based catalog management, which is especially useful for businesses handling scale across several Latin American markets. For Costa Rica-based companies, Mercado Libre is strongest when used as a commerce channel with integrated operational tooling rather than only as a checkout add-on.
| Integration Tools | Available |
| Global Selling API | ✅ |
| Orders / Invoices / Shipments APIs | ✅ |
| Marketplace Listing Tools | ✅ |
Rapipago
Rapipago is a cash-based solution provider in Costa Rica that allows consumers to make payments for online purchases or bills at physical locations. It is a popular choice for individuals who don’t have bank accounts or prefer not to use credit or debit cards for transactions. Businesses can offer Rapipago as an alternative payment system through third-party gateways that support it. Although it is not used for online purchases as widely as other methods, it serves a niche market segment that values cash-based transactions.
Supported Assets. Rapipago allows customers to pay in cash for online purchases or bills using prepaid vouchers that can be redeemed at authorized locations. This system provides businesses in Costa Rica the opportunity to accept payments from those without traditional bank accounts or credit cards. Rapipago also offers the benefit of being a payment method for in-person purchases, which can be redeemed at numerous participating locations. While limited to cash transactions, it serves as an important option for minor buys and customers who prefer a non-digital method.
| Payment Method | Accept | Withdraw |
| Cash Payments | ✅ | ✅ |
Fees. Rapipago’s fees are generally low, as they are fixed per voucher transaction, making it a cost-effective option for businesses that cater to cash-preferred customers. Since it is cash-based, the transaction costs are often lower compared to card payments, which can carry higher fees due to processing charges. However, the exact fee structure can vary depending on the third-party provider integrated with Rapipago. Overall, this makes it an affordable choice for businesses focusing on transactions in Costa Rica from customers without access to traditional banking.
| Fee Type | Amount | Note |
| Transaction Fee | Fixed | Low per voucher fee |
Integration Tools. Rapipago integrates with third-party platforms, which enable businesses to accept cash transactions alongside digital options. The integration typically requires using API connections or plugins from platforms that support Rapipago. This reliance on external platforms makes the setup process more complex, but it allows businesses to offer an instant payment system for customers preferring cash. Once set up, Rapipago provides a seamless way to collect payments offline while supporting digital transactions through the same platform.
| Integration Tools | Available |
| API | ✅ |
| E-commerce Plugins | ✅ |
| Payment Links | ✅ |
Placetopay
Placetopay is a reliable platform widely used in Costa Rica and Latin America for processing credit and debit card transactions, bank transfers, and alternative digital methods. Its flexibility and security make it an attractive option for businesses that need a comprehensive solution for managing payments online. Placetopay’s integration with local banks makes it particularly well-suited for businesses operating within the country’s financial ecosystem. It offers features such as fraud detection, tokenization, and recurring billing, providing robust solutions for businesses of all sizes.
Supported Assets. Placetopay supports a wide range of options, including credit and debit cards, bank transfers, and alternative methods like mobile wallets and e-wallets. It integrates seamlessly with local Costa Rican banks, making it easier for businesses to accept payments in the Costa Rican colón and other currencies. The ability to process transactions through various methods allows businesses to cater to different customer preferences. With multiple channels, Placetopay ensures that businesses can provide diverse options to their customers.
| Payment Method | Accept | Withdraw |
| Credit/Debit Cards | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bank Transfer | ✅ | ✅ |
| Digital Wallets | ✅ | ✅ |
Fees. Placetopay’s fees generally range from 2.9% to 3.5%, depending on the business’s contract and region. While it may be slightly higher than other solutions, the platform’s strong security measures and reliable service justify the cost. Businesses can also choose from various payment methods, which may have different fees associated with them. For those offering recurring payments, Placetopay’s pricing structure can be particularly beneficial, as it may offer better rates for subscription-based transactions.
| Fee Type | Amount | Note |
| Transaction Fee | 2.9-3.5% | Varies by payment method |
Integration Tools. Placetopay offers a comprehensive set of integration tools, including a powerful API and plugins for popular e-commerce platforms like WooCommerce and Shopify. Businesses can also use hosted payment pages for a quick setup without the need for complex coding. The processor supports various recurring billing models, which is useful for businesses offering subscription services. With its flexible and user-friendly tools, Placetopay simplifies transaction processing for businesses in Costa Rica.
| Integration Tools | Available |
| API | ✅ |
| E-commerce Plugins | ✅ |
| Payment Links | ✅ |
Culqi
Culqi is a Peru-based fintech company backed by Credicorp and BCP that offers online checkout, payment links, and POS solutions for merchants. Its product lineup is built around CulqiOnline, CulqiLink, CulqiFull, and the merchant management tools inside CulqiPanel and CulqiApp. The platform is especially strong for businesses that want card acceptance, digital wallets, and recurring billing inside a Spanish-language Latin American operating environment. For a Costa Rica-based merchants, Culqi is best understood as a regional option with solid tools, although its official product and pricing materials are centered on Peru, including settlements in soles and dollars.
Supported Assets. Culqi’s supported assets are centered on traditional cards, digital wallets, and local alternative rails rather than blockchain-based currencies. Its official materials show support for Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, and American Express, along with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Yape, Plin, PagoEfectivo, and Cuotéalo BCP. Culqi also states that merchants can process sales in soles and dollars, which adds useful flexibility for businesses handling both domestic and cross-border commerce. That makes Culqi more suitable for merchants prioritizing mainstream checkout methods than those seeking broad cryptocurrency coverage.
- Cards: Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, American Express
- Digital Wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay, Yape, Plin
- Alternative Rails: PagoEfectivo, Cuotéalo BCP
- Settlement Currencies: PEN and USD
Fees. Culqi publishes exact baseline rates for several core methods, which makes its pricing easier to evaluate than many providers that hide rates behind sales calls. Official pricing lists 3.44% + IGV for national debit and credit cards, 3.99% + IGV for international cards, and 3.44% for Yape, while PagoEfectivo, digital wallets, mobile banking, agents, and Cuotéalo BCP are generally listed at 3.99% for online sales. Culqi also applies a fixed online commission of USD 0.20, and for amounts below S/ 87.72 it notes a minimum fixed commission of S/ 3.50.
| Fee Type | Amount | Note |
| National debit/credit cards | 3.44% + IGV | Published base rate |
| International cards | 3.99% + IGV | For PEN and USD transactions |
| Yape | 3.44% | Online rate shown by Culqi |
| PagoEfectivo / wallets / mobile banking / agents / Cuotéalo BCP | 3.99%* | Online methods listed by Culqi |
| Fixed online fee | USD 0.20 | Applies to online sales |
| Minimum fixed commission | S/ 3.50 | For amounts under S/ 87.72 |
Integration Tools. Culqi offers a fairly complete developer stack for merchants that need more than a simple hosted checkout. Its documentation includes a public API, embedded checkout, custom checkout through CulqiJS, Android and iOS SDKs, and subscription workflows for recurring billing. The platform also supports tokenization, webhooks, and API keys managed from CulqiPanel, which gives developers enough flexibility to build custom purchase flows. For businesses that value implementation options, Culqi is strongest when used as a card-and-wallet infrastructure layer rather than as a crypto-first processor.
- API: ✅ Official API for tokens, charges, refunds, customers, plans, and subscriptions
- Hosted / Embedded Checkout: ✅ Culqi Checkout for web and mobile
- Custom Frontend Integration: ✅ CulqiJS and Custom Checkout
- Mobile SDKs: ✅ Android and iOS
- Recurring Billing Tools: ✅ Plans, subscriptions, and webhook support
Conclusion
In this review, we have analyzed the leading payment gateways available for businesses in Costa Rica, including NOWPayments, Mercado Pago, Rapipago, Placetopay, and Culqi. Each of these providers offers distinct advantages tailored to different business needs, from traditional credit card processing to mobile transactions and cash-based solutions. The growing landscape demands flexible, secure, and cost-effective solutions, and the providers reviewed provide various options to meet these needs. However, the combination of global support, low fees, and seamless integration with e-commerce platforms makes NOWPayments the best choice for businesses.
NOWPayments stands out as the optimal solution due to its extensive support for cryptocurrencies, competitive transaction fees, and robust integration tools. Its ability to accept over 350 cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies, coupled with its easy-to-use API and payment buttons, gives businesses the flexibility to cater to both local and international customers. The absence of setup or monthly fees further lowers the barrier for businesses looking to expand their digital options. For forward-thinking businesses in Costa Rica, NOWPayments is the ideal platform to stay ahead in an increasingly digital economy.