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Costa Rica

Members

Fundación PANIAMOR works to prevent and combat the sexual exploitation of children (SEC), including trafficking in children and the sexual exploitation of children in the context of travel and tourism, through awareness-raising, capacity-building, collaboration with law enforcement agencies, and the development and management of information resources on trafficking. The Foundation pioneered the development and implementation of the Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children and Adolescents from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism in Costa Rica, until the programme was formally transferred to the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT). Today, Fundación PANIAMOR continues to support and accompany companies in the travel and tourism sector in strengthening their capacities and practices to comply with the commitments established by the Code of Conduct.

In addition, Fundación PANIAMOR has developed significant expertise and sustained work in the prevention of online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA), addressing emerging risks and forms of sexual violence against children and adolescents in digital environments. This work includes research and evidence generation, awareness-raising, capacity-building for professionals, families and other key stakeholders, the promotion of safer digital practices, and advocacy for stronger institutional, regulatory and private-sector responses to protect children and adolescents from sexual exploitation and abuse both online and offline.

Fundación PANIAMOR

Contact: Sr. Oscar Valverde Cerros
Phone: +506 8449-4977
Address: 50 mts oeste Beguelmens, 2, San José, Costa Rica
Email: info@paniamor.org
Website: https://paniamor.org/

Facts

Costa Rica, being one of the top tourism destinations in Latin America, especially for eco-tourism, is experiencing an increase in the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism.

Costa Rican children are subjected to sex trafficking within the country. Reportedly, those living in the north and central Pacific coastal zones are particularly vulnerable.

Resources

News and stories

Indicators

Age of Consent

No

The age of sexual consent is 15 years for both girls and boys. The national legislation provides for a five year close-in-age exemption for minors from the age of 13 years old or 7 years, for children from the age of 15 years old.
Analysis of country legislation on age of sexual consent, 2024

Extraterritoriality & Extradition

Partial

Active extraterritoriality is provided for SEC-related offences but it is required that the offender is located in the territory of Costa Rica and that the proceedings are initiated by request of the competent bodies. Double criminality is not required.

Extradition requires a minimum gravity of one year (covering all SEC-related offences) and requires double criminality.
SECTT Legal Checklist Costa Rica, 2020

CSAM Definition

Not Yet Assessed

Background Check Required

Partial

The national legislation includes a non-mandatory provision for criminal background check. There are no legal provisions prohibiting convicted sex offenders to hold positions involving or facilitating contact with children.
SECTT Legal Checklist Costa Rica, 2020

National Commitments

Partial

Costa Rica has ratified the CRC, the OPSC, the OPIC, the Trafficking Protocol and the the ILO Convention No. 182.

Costa Rica has not ratified the UNWTO Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics nor the Council of Europe’s Lanzarote and Budapest Conventions.
SECTT Legal Checklist Costa Rica, 2020

Child Advocacy Centers

Not Yet Assessed

SEC Police Unit

Not Yet Assessed

Protection Standards Travel and Tourism

Partial

Costa Rica has implemented a national code for child protection in travel and tourism as a non-binding requirement for industry operators.
SECTT Legal Checklist Costa Rica, 2020

Public SEC Case Data

Not Yet Assessed