Facebook remains the most widely used social network in Costa Rica, with eight in 10 adults who own a cell phone using the platform and most doing so daily or at least weekly, even as newer platforms such as TikTok post the fastest growth in the country.
The finding comes from the third annual “Our Everyday Apps” report, released by the Communication Research Center at the University of Costa Rica (Cicom-UCR). The study is based on 792 telephone interviews with adults conducted in late August 2025, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. It found that platform use held largely stable between 2024 and 2025, with the sharpest differences tied to age and education rather than geography.
Facebook reached 80% of the adult population, with 75% qualifying as intensive users. While the platform is used most by people aged 35 to 44, the report notes it also draws younger users between 18 and 34 in significant numbers, underscoring its staying power as a central hub for sharing information and everyday content.
TikTok was identified as the fastest-growing social network in the country, reaching 58% of adults with 51% using it intensively. Its expansion is no longer confined to younger generations: people aged 35 to 54 reported usage levels statistically similar to those aged 18 to 34, signaling a broader audience than the platform once held.
That growth has pushed TikTok past Instagram, which held steady at around 47%, to become the country’s second most-used social network — a shift the Tico Times reported in May. According to the analysis, TikTok has established itself as a leading channel for the circulation of information, entertainment and current-affairs content, with rising influence on public life.
WhatsApp again ranked as the single most ubiquitous app in Costa Rica, used by 96% of adults with a cell phone and showing no significant differences by gender or place of residence. YouTube held its place as the leading platform for audiovisual content, with 77% penetration and continued growth, drawing audiences across age groups, particularly those under 55. The research team describes these platforms as part of the country’s basic digital communication infrastructure, supporting family, work and educational interactions as well as access to information.
Among the study’s central contributions is its critical review of entrenched assumptions in public debate. The research team found that the often-cited divide between the Central Valley and coastal regions is not borne out by most of the platforms analyzed; while some apps show higher use in urban areas, many register similar levels across regions.
Age and formal education remain the most decisive factors. Platform use drops sharply among people over 55 and rises among those with a college or technical degree, with the gaps most pronounced on streaming services and specialized networks and least visible on mass-market platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and YouTube. The report argues these patterns reveal a digital divide that extends beyond access to devices or connectivity, reflecting how different social groups fold technology into daily life.
