Why Costa Rican customers use Selectido
Costa Rica has the tightest US connection in Central America — many ticos studied or worked in the States, US brands are deeply familiar, and the USD is widely accepted alongside the colón. Local options like Aerocasillas and Jetbox get the box here, but they don't actually shop. Selectido does. You watch the haul on video from Walmart Plano or Sephora Galleria, point at what you want, and we put it in the cart.
Costa Rica is also the easiest Central American customs regime to ship into. Under USD $500 personal-use, your package walks through Aduanas with minimal fees. Add the 4-6 day DHL window through SJO and Costa Rica is genuinely one of the smoothest LATAM destinations we serve. Pura vida.
The "Aerocasillas wishlist" tax
The big local casilleros let you order to a US address — that's it. Sephora US release-day exclusives, Apple Store US-only configurations, Whole Foods 365 supplements — they don't help you find them, can't confirm a substitute, and won't FaceTime you from the aisle. Selectido actually shops. Live video, US shopper on the ground, decisions made together.
Tico-tested · Pura vida-approvedTop US stores for Costa Rican customers
- Sephora US — prestige beauty (no Sephora in Costa Rica): Drunk Elephant, Tatcha, Charlotte Tilbury, Fenty
- Apple Store US — iPhones, MacBooks at US retail (no Apple Store in CR)
- Whole Foods 365 — USDA-organic supplements, vitamins, specialty pantry
- Costco Kirkland Signature — multivitamins, baby formula, Kirkland coffee, bulk household
- Best Buy — gaming consoles, laptops, accessories (huge tico gaming community)
- Trader Joe's — US-only food (favorite of CR expat retirees in Escazú and Atenas)
- Target, Old Navy, Gap Kids — kids' clothing, household, school season
- Amazon US (3P only) — items Amazon won't ship to CR, we receive and forward
Shipping to Costa Rica — your courier options
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 in real time. Pura vida shopping.
📦 Package forwarding — $14.99/shipment
For items you order online yourself. Get a free US address, we receive + photograph + forward to Costa Rica. No subscription, no surprises.
Cities Selectido ships to in Costa Rica
Aduanas Costa Rica · Régimen Postal
Frequently asked questions
📱 ¿Prefieres Telegram? Chat con nuestro bot — respuestas en segundos.
Abrir @SelectidoBot →Mail & forwarding services
Real US street address, customs paperwork included, $14.99 flat per shipment. No subscription.
- US mail forwarding service — letters and packages from a real US address
- USPS Hold Mail alternative — hold your US mail beyond 30 days while abroad
- Virtual mailbox comparison — vs Anytime Mailbox, Traveling Mailbox, PostScan, iPostal1
- USPS customs form guide — CN-22 / CN-23 explained (or skip it free with Selectido)