BLP remains a leading firm for environmental law in Costa Rica, which is highlighted for its ‘comprehensive advice’ and ability to work ‘in a completely multidisciplinary manner’. The team handles the full range of advisory and contentious matters for key players across the transport, hospitality, medical, food and retail sectors – to name but a few – and is widely recognised for its knowledge of compliance with environmental and sustainability regulations, planning and licensing for tourism, infrastructure and conservation projects, and concessions for the use of natural resources. In addition, the firm has a thriving environmental litigation practice, with particular strength in criminal cases. ‘Brilliant’ practice head Mauricio Salas, a highly experienced litigator, also directs the firm’s environmental consulting company, Zone. Other key names in the team include Andrea González, who focuses on matters involving hotel and real estate projects; Alejandro Rojas, an expert in environmental criminal cases; and director Luis Palacios, whose practice covers environmental compliance, natural resources utilisation rights and environmental litigation.

Tactic Legal offers clients expertise across the full spectrum of environmental law, with a notable strong suit in conducting environmental due diligence and feasibility studies for major hotel and tourism projects, including in relation to water availability, waste management and land-use regulations. Among the firm’s other key areas of expertise are assisting with environmental compliance and permits for water use and management, handling administrative litigation and advising non-profit organisations focused on environmental conservation (drawing on its knowledge of biodiversity, marine resources and wildlife conservation matters). Firm founder Javier Escalante leads the practice, bringing to bear longstanding experience in disputes, foreign investment, real estate and energy law, as well as environmental law. Director Fernanda Jiménez is particularly skilled in cases before the environmental authorities and regulatory issues.

Alta‘s environmental practice combines expertise in projects and infrastructure, sustainability and natural resources, public law and litigation to advise clients across Central America. The firm has a strong environmental compliance practice, advising major corporations throughout the region on issues including water concessions, industrial waste management, pollution prevention and carbon neutrality, among other issues. Key names include Raúl Guevara, who has a wealth of experience in the environmental and energy fields, and senior counsel Roberto Cordero, who joined the firm from Arias in August 2024.

With a client base that spans the hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, food and beverages, and agribusiness sectors, Arias is adept at handling both advisory and contentious matters in the field of environmental law. The team routinely assists with environmental compliance assessments, as well as advising clients on regulatory issues concerning hotel and real estate developments, permitting processes relating to waste management, water concessions, and environmental investigations and criminal proceedings. Carlos Ubico, who brings together expertise in administrative litigation, projects and infrastructure, oversees the team. Senior counsel Luis Diego Obando is another key name for environmental law and ESG matters.

Sitting within the firm’s climate change and sustainability services department, the environmental practice at EY Law Central America advises major corporations across Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic on ensuring compliance with local regulations, as well as conducting compliance audits. In addition, the team is frequently called upon to perform environmental due diligence in relation to M&A, real estate acquisitions and project developments. Hernán Pacheco, the managing partner for Latin America North, heads the practice, along with Panama-based Carmen Rovira and manager Jéssica Castro, whose experience covers environmental regulatory issues, due diligence and litigation, particularly administrative proceedings.