The Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR) said the National Electronic Payments System (SINPE) will be suspended for three days during the holiday season.

SINPE is a technology platform developed and operated by the central bank that connects financial institutions and their customers through a private telecommunications network, allowing the transfer of funds between bank accounts.

According to authorities, SINPE will be out of service on Thursday, Dec. 25; Wednesday, Dec. 31; and Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. The interruption will affect only fund transfers between banks and the BCCR.

 

Transfers between individual customers are not expected to be affected. In a statement, the central bank said SINPE Móvil, Real-Time Debit (DTR), Immediate Payments (PIN), SINPE-TP and the money market,  without BCCR participation, will operate normally at the end and beginning of the year.

Users who experience problems with banking transactions may report them through the customer support line at 2243-3700 or by email at atencionalciudadano@bccr.fi.cr. Customer assistance through these channels is available only in Spanish.

The BCCR said full SINPE operations are expected to resume on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.

BCCR is the country’s primary monetary authority. Its responsibilities include controlling inflation, supporting government economic decision-making and implementing public policies enacted by the government.

The SINPE platform was recently updated as part of the Ministry of Finance’s online invoicing system, known as ATV.