Apple rolls out Tap to Pay on iPhone in Costa Rica. Businesses can now accept in-person contactless payments on an iPhone, with no separate card reader or payment terminal. The company announced the rollout on Tuesday as part of an expansion to eight Latin American markets. Besides Costa Rica, the feature is now available in Argentina, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Peru.
In Costa Rica, merchants can use the service through three payment platforms: Geopagos, Symbiotic and Visa Acceptance Solutions. Availability varies by country. Businesses sign up through a participating platform, not directly with Apple. The system needs an iPhone XS or later running the latest version of iOS, plus a compatible payment app. At checkout, the merchant opens the app and asks the customer to hold a contactless card, iPhone, Apple Watch or other digital wallet near the merchant’s phone.
The payment is processed over NFC, the short-range wireless technology used in contactless cards. It accepts debit and credit cards from major networks including American Express, Mastercard and Visa, as well as Apple Pay and other digital wallets. Apple said a business needs only an iPhone and a compatible iOS app to get started. According to the company, participating platforms can offer the feature to businesses of all sizes, in sectors including transportation, retail, food and beverage, beauty and professional services.
On security, Apple said the feature relies on the privacy and security protections built into the iPhone. The company said card numbers and transaction details are not stored on the device or on Apple’s servers. Apple’s announcement did not include pricing. Transaction fees are set by the individual payment platforms, not by Apple.
The launch could matter most for small businesses and independent operators. Many of them rely on cash or SINPE Móvil, the Central Bank’s instant mobile transfer system, and have not had an affordable way to accept cards. Apple first introduced Tap to Pay on iPhone in the United States in 2022. It has since expanded the feature internationally as more payment providers add support.
Businesses interested in the feature can check with the participating payment platforms for sign-up requirements, supported apps and fees.
