Costa Rica’s central bank has lowered its benchmark interest rate to 3.00%, marking the first reduction in seven months.

The move by the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR) reflects a significant shift in the domestic economic landscape, driven by inflation that has turned negative and a colón that has held steady against external pressures.

25% in its third consecutive reduction—Costa Rica’s move comes after a longer period of stability.

The decision underscores a fragmentation in Latin America’s monetary policy landscape.

While major economies like Brazil have been actively easing—recently cutting the Selic rate to 14.25% in its third consecutive reduction—Costa Rica’s move comes after a longer period of stability.

The divergence highlights how individual central banks are calibrating their responses to local inflation dynamics rather than following a synchronized regional path.

With inflation now in negative territory, the BCCR appears confident that price pressures have subsided sufficiently to support growth without reigniting inflationary risks.