No, ticket scalping in Costa Rica is prohibited under the Ley de Protección al Consumidor (Law No. 7472) and Reglamento de Espectáculos Públicos, with enforcement by the Dirección General de Protección al Consumidor (DPC). Recent 2026 amendments classify resale above face value as an unfair commercial practice, imposing fines up to ₡5 million ($9,000 USD).
Key Regulations for Scalping Tickets in Costa Rica
- Face Value Mandate: Resale prices must not exceed the original ticket price, per Artículo 37 of the Consumer Protection Law.
- Licensing Requirement: Only authorized agents (e.g., event organizers) may sell tickets, with scalpers subject to penalties under Decreto Ejecutivo No. 42708-MP.
- Digital Tracking: The Sistema Nacional de Espectáculos (SNE) monitors secondary markets, flagging non-compliant listings for immediate removal.
Violations trigger administrative proceedings before the Tribunal Administrativo de Protección al Consumidor, with appeals heard by the Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Comercio (MEIC). Courts have upheld fines against platforms facilitating scalping, such as StubHub and Tiqets, in 2024-2025 rulings.