LGBTQ+ traveller context — Costa Rica
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Editorial notice
This is general public-knowledge framing sourced from ILGA, FCDO and State Department public records. Legal status, social acceptance, and local enforcement change. Verify current status with ILGA World before planning travel.
Legal context — Costa Rica
Legal status changes; verify with ILGA World's annual report before relying on this for travel decisions.
Same-sex sexual activity
Relationship recognition
Anti-discrimination protections
Gender identity — legal recognition
Legal gender change is possible but requires a judicial process.
Context
Costa Rica became the first Central American country to legalise same-sex marriage in May 2020. Employment non-discrimination protections exist. Attitudes are generally more open in San José than in rural areas.
Costa Rica legalised same-sex marriage in 2020 and is one of the more LGBTQ+-friendly Central American countries. San José has a visible LGBTQ+ community. Rural acceptance is more uneven. Trans rights vary by region.
Verify with the authoritative source
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