Is Costa Rica the next Central American tech powerhouse? After spending three days in San José for the Blockchain Jungle conference, I break down why the answer might be yes—and what that means for innovation, crypto, and opportunity across Latin America.

In this episode, I share my on-the-ground experience (clean, safe city; watch restaurant prices), plus what made Blockchain Jungle different: Spanish-first programming, strong local turnout, career and trading rooms, multi-stage learning, premium “whale” networking, and full podcast support on site. Most importantly, I outline four reasons Costa Rica is rising—from community and talent to brand positioning and real tech presence.

What you’ll learn

• Why Costa Rica’s innovation momentum is accelerating after Blockchain Jungle
• What I saw: Spanish-led sessions, local builders, hands-on career and trading rooms
• Who is showing up: students, founders, and regional talent from Brazil, Panama, and Colombia
• How “Essential Costa Rica” branding pushes excellence, sustainability, and innovation
• When tourism still matters—and how it funds infrastructure and jobs
• What big tech footprints (Intel, HP, Amazon, IBM) and a bilingual, STEM-driven workforce signal
• Can early crypto education and policy openness unlock the next adoption wave?

Key takeaways

• Community > spectacle: the event kept learning and real connections front and center.
• Local pride: organizers want the world to come to Costa Rica, not export the event.
• Brand alignment: you see “Essential Costa Rica” everywhere—from the airport to the city.
• Economic pillars: tourism remains a jobs and infrastructure engine while tech expands.
• Talent pipeline: English + Spanish fluency and STEM emphasis make Costa Rica attractive to global firms.

Chapters

00:00 — Why Costa Rica might be Latin America’s next innovation hub
01:25 — What surprised me about San José: safety, cleanliness, costs
02:50 — Who was at Blockchain Jungle: local builders, Spanish-first talks
04:12 — How the conference worked: career room, trading room, whale room, stages
06:36 — Can community-first events beat big-show conferences?
08:41 — What organizers told me: keep the movement in Costa Rica
10:26 — When national branding helps: “Essential Costa Rica” everywhere
21:18 — Who is investing: big tech footprints + bilingual, STEM talent
25:29 — Should you watch Costa Rica for crypto and startup growth?

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