Why Costa Rican customers use Selectido
Costa Rica has a strong link to the US — many Costa Ricans have studied or worked in the US, and US brands are widely recognized. Local retail (Walmart Costa Rica, Más x Menos, Automercado, AutoTrampolín) is solid but US-only categories still need a US shopper. Sephora US prestige releases (no Sephora in Costa Rica), Apple Store US pricing, Whole Foods organic supplements, US baby formula brands, and Costco bulk Kirkland are the most-requested categories. Many CR expat retirees also use Selectido to bring US-specific products they're used to.
Costa Rica is one of the easier Central American destinations to ship to — relatively lenient customs regime, strong courier presence, and SJO (San José Juan Santamaría) processes packages quickly.
Top US stores for Costa Rican customers
- Sephora US — prestige beauty (no Sephora in Costa Rica): Drunk Elephant, Tatcha, Charlotte Tilbury
- Apple Store US — iPhones, MacBooks at US retail
- Whole Foods — USDA-organic supplements, vitamins, specialty pantry
- Costco Kirkland Signature — multivitamins, baby formula, bulk household
- Best Buy — gaming consoles, laptops, accessories
- Trader Joe's — US-only food brands (popular with CR expats)
- Target, Old Navy — kids' clothing, household goods
Shipping to Costa Rica
- DHL Express — preferred. 4-6 business days door-to-door including customs at SJO.
- FedEx International Priority — 4-6 days, similar to DHL.
- UPS Worldwide — 4-6 days.
- Correos de Costa Rica via USPS — 10-15 days, more economical.
Two ways to shop the US from Costa Rica
📹 Live video shopping — $75/hr
For items you want to see before buying. A real US shopper opens a video call from inside the store, you watch and direct.
📦 Package forwarding — $14.99/shipment
For items you order online. Get a free US address, we receive + photograph + forward to Costa Rica.
Cities Selectido ships to in Costa Rica
- San José — fastest delivery via SJO. Includes Escazú, Santa Ana, Sabana, Curridabat, Tibás.
- Heredia, Alajuela, Cartago — Greater Metropolitan Area, 4-6 days.
- Liberia (Guanacaste) — gateway to beach areas, served via SJO trans-shipment, 5-7 days.
- Limón, Puntarenas, San Carlos, Pérez Zeledón — outside the Central Valley; 1-2 days extra.
Frequently asked questions
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