Widely recognised for its strength in advising international clients, including global and regional banks, sovereign wealth funds and private equity funds, Central American firm Aguilar Castillo Love houses a comprehensive banking and finance practice. The team is skilled in complex cross-border transactions, spanning corporate and project finance, syndicated loans and refinancings, in addition to handling domestic financings. Financial regulatory matters are another key area of expertise, with the firm becoming increasingly active in the fintech space. The well-regarded Marco Solano Gómez, whose extensive practice also takes in bond issuances, derivatives, credit swaps and other structured finance products, leads the team.

A longstanding heavyweight in the banking and finance arena, regional firm BLP handles the full range of transactional and regulatory matters for an impressive roster of domestic and international financial institutions. In addition to its strength in the retail banking sphere, the ‘well-rounded’ team routinely advises on complex and often cross-border transactions including project finance, bond issuances (most notably, Costa Rica’s first blue bond issuance), corporate finance and high-profile banking sector M&A. The ‘excellent’ Vivian Liberman, who is particularly sought after for her expertise in ESG financing, and Andrés López, whose practice spans financial, regulatory and insolvency matters, lead the sizeable team. Luis Hernández, Pablo Umaña and Julio Castellanos, an expert in the financing of infrastructure projects and capital markets, are other key names at partnership level, while senior counsel Rodrigo Cubero, the former president of the Central Bank of Costa Rica, and director Ariel Leiva are also noted.

Central American powerhouse Consortium Legal continues to be regarded as a market leader, representing an enviable array of regional and international banks with a presence in Costa Rica in local and multi-jurisdictional transactions. The firm’s broad banking and finance offering spans retail banking, corporate finance, project finance (particularly in the energy, real estate and hospitality sectors), capital markets matters, financial regulation and banking-related M&A. Regional banking and finance head Mario Quesada Bianchini, a go-to figure for cross-border financing and M&A in the banking sector, and regulatory and securities specialist David Arturo Campos oversee the seven-partner-strong team. Regulatory expert Randall Barquero (who also directs the regional fintech practice) and Oscar Sandoval head the corporate banking team, Andrés Chamberlain leads the retail banking division, and Alejandro Vásquez Rodríguez steers the stock market practice. Susana Raventós and Mónica Arias, who were promoted to partner in April 2025, are also recommended.

Arias' banking and finance practice is commended for its ability to handle cross-border transactions (including coordinating regional deals alongside the firm’s offices across Central America), acting for an array of international banks and multilateral entities, as well as leading domestic banks. The team is well versed in structured and corporate finance, financial regulatory issues, fintech, debt refinancing and project finance, with particular strength in financings in the energy sector. Regional managing partner Vicente Lines oversees the team with Diego Gallegos, who boasts strong skill sets in asset and corporate finance. Senior associate Arianne Silva provides capable support.

Formed in 2021 by former Dentons partner Daniel Araya, Forza has built a strong track record of advising international financial institutions and multilateral entities, as well as acting as local counsel to leading foreign law firms. The team is especially proficient in advising on compliance and financial regulatory issues, particularly in relation to the operation of funds, as well as assisting with the structuring of loans. Araya leads the team, while regulatory specialist Rocío Amador is also a key member of the team.

The banking and finance team at regional firm Lexincorp is well equipped to advise both domestic and international banks on a steady stream of financial transactions, as well as banking and capital markets regulation. The team is particularly active in assisting with the structuring of loans to local and regional companies. Alonso Vargas, a former judge on the Supreme Court of Costa Rica, who has notable experience of representing banks in recovery actions, steers the practice.

With a growing presence in the Central American region following its merger with Guatemalan firm AD Sosa & Soto, Tactic Legal handles a mix of transactional and compliance matters in the banking and finance space. The firm demonstrates particular strength in the real estate sector, advising on bank loans, mortgage constitutions and the establishment of trusts. Founding partner Javier Escalante leads the practice, while associate Daniela Alvarado, who is skilled in banking litigation, is another key name.