Latin America is popular for nearshore software development outsourcing due to its proximity to the United States, its strong pool of talented engineering professionals, and its favorable time zone. The software industry in LatAm has been growing significantly in recent years, and the region is home to a number of globally recognized tech companies and startups.
In addition to its technical capabilities, Latin America has a rich cultural heritage and a strong tradition of entrepreneurship. Many Latin American countries have business-friendly policies and favorable climates for investment. The cost of living and doing business in many Latin American countries is also lower than in the United States and Europe, making it an attractive option to save on development costs without compromising on quality and time to value.
Why companies nearshore in Latin America
Think of nearshoring as the perfect date and offshoring as a long-distance relationship.
Imagine finding the perfect date – the right partner who shares your interests and goals, has a strong understanding of your needs, and is always there to support you. This is what nearshore is like for companies. It provides a level of proximity and cultural affinity that allows for efficient and effective collaboration. Plus, you’ll work with talented developers who have a strong understanding of the local market.
On the other hand, offshore software development feels like a long-distance relationship – it may seem attractive due to lower costs, but it often comes with its own set of challenges such as language barriers and time differences. While it may work for some, it requires a lot of effort, patience, and some sleepless nights to maintain a strong working relationship.
Want to dive deeper into the differences between these two outsourcing options? Read our Comprehensive Comparison of Nearshore vs. Offshore Software Outsourcing.
In this blog, we’ll be exploring specific destinations in the Latin American region and why they could be the perfect match for your company’s software development needs.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a small but developed country in Central America with a growing software development industry, especially strong in custom software development. Its favorable time zone (same as Eastern US) and cultural compatibility with the US enable easy communication and collaboration between teams.
The cost of living and doing business in Costa Rica is generally lower than in the United States, which is advantageous to save on development costs. The country’s strong infrastructure and stable political environment make it attractive for foreign investment. Despite recent challenges posed by rising energy and food costs and tight financing options, Costa Rica’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is projected to reach a growth rate of 3.2% in 2024.
The software development industry in Costa Rica is supported by a number of universities and research institutions, as well as a number of business incubators and accelerators. The workforce is highly educated with a high percentage of degree holders. Costa Rica ranks fifth in Latin America on Coursera’s 2022 Global Skills Report. which measures proficiency in business, technology, and data science.
Costa Rica’s strong tradition of entrepreneurship and innovation has helped create many successful tech startups. The country has a business-friendly environment and is home to a number of multinational corporations that have established software development centers in Costa Rica, including Intel, HP, and IBM. These companies helped Costa Rica become a hub for software development in LatAm, with cities like San José and Heredia setting the standard for supportive business environments.
Brazil
Brazil, the largest and most populous country in Latin America, is making its mark as a significant player in the global arena. It boasts a robust software industry with over 6,000+ software development companies and a software market recently valued at $11.3 billion. Brazilian software developers are known for their expertise in Java and .Net, making them sought after by companies in need of specialized skills.
Thanks to favorable time zones that align with the US, companies can enjoy seamless communication and collaboration with Brazilian teams during regular business hours. This, along with its cultural compatibility, makes it a top destination, though Brazil stands apart from its neighbors in terms of language. Portuguese is the official language, while Spanish is dominant throughout the rest of Latin America.
Brazil has a robust supply of skilled technology professionals, with over 200,000 STEM students graduating annually from its institutes. Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Belo Horizonte are among the most prominent tech hubs in Brazil, known for their thriving startup ecosystems and supportive business environments. Some of the biggest names in the tech industry, including IBM, HP, and Capgemini, have established a strong presence in Brazil.
Colombia
Colombia has a strong ecosystem of universities, research institutions, and government that support the software development industry. The Colombian Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (MinTiC), is actively working to curb an impending talent crisis in the software industry by implementing various initiatives to encourage the growth and development of the country’s tech workforce and attract more talent to the industry. These efforts could prevent a projected shortage of over 100,000 developers by 2025.
While nearly all Colombians speak Spanish, English is an official language in parts of the country like Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina Islands.
Colombia is a rising major player in the Latin American IT market, ranking fourth in size after countries like Brazil. Colombia has a number of successful tech startups and globally recognized tech companies, including MercadoLibre and Acelero, which have established software development centers in the country.
Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali are rapidly emerging as key tech hubs in Colombia, with significant growth in the technology sector. These cities are attracting a growing number of tech startups, multinational companies, and skilled software developers, due to their favorable business climates, supportive government policies, and thriving tech communities.
Argentina
Argentina is known for its strong culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, and there is a vibrant startup ecosystem in the country. With a GDP of nearly $500 billion, Argentina is one of the largest economies in Latin America.
The country has a highly educated workforce. Argentina ranked 34th in a list of global education rankings.
Argentina has a well-developed software development industry and a strong reputation for producing high-quality software professionals. Their long tradition of excellence in computer science and engineering has paid off as revenues are expected to rise to over $2.7 billion by 2026.
The country is home to a number of successful tech startups and globally recognized tech companies, including MercadoLibre and Despegar. There are also a number of business incubators and accelerators that provide resources and support to entrepreneurs. The Aceleradoras BA Emprende, a Buenos Aires initiative that co-finances high-impact ventures to encourage growth, has invested over $3.5 million in local entrepreneurs.
Uruguay
This nation of 3.4 million has made a name for itself in the software industry, with over 1,000 software development companies driving nearly $1 billion in software exports annually, mostly to the US. Its high per capita software export figures have cemented its position as one of the world’s premier software exporting nations.
Uruguay has a number of universities focused on software development and related technologies. The country has a highly educated workforce and a business-friendly environment. On a global ranking assessing a country’s technology infrastructure, technology adoption, and investment from both businesses and governments to determine its digital readiness, Uruguay ranked second among all Latin American countries.
It is also home to a number of successful tech startups, including MercadoLibre, dLocal, and Ona. According to the European Center for Digital Competitiveness report from 2021, Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, has been named the world’s second-fastest-growing city in the Fintech sector.
Peru
Peru is a top-notch software outsourcing destination, ranking among the best in Latin America. Its economy is surging with a 3.5% year-over-year growth in the first half of 2022, a testament to its resilience and post-pandemic recovery.
Peru also has a couple of top-ranked universities and a thriving startup culture. Peruvian developers are highly skilled and educated, with over 25% holding STEM degrees, the highest in Latin America. When it comes to ReactJS and UX/UI design, Peru is home to some of the most talented developers and designers in the world.
The Peruvian government is investing in technology development through initiatives such as ProInnóvate and Startup Peru. The country is home to many multinational tech companies like IBM, Amazon, and Microsoft, which have established offices due to the top talent available.
Closing Thoughts
As the global demand for software development continues to grow, nearshore has emerged as a popular option. By choosing the right nearshore software development partner with a strong pool of talented developers in these countries, companies can take advantage of the many benefits of nearshore development while minimizing the challenges and risks.
To learn more about nearshore software development, read our essential guide.
HatchWorks is the Right Nearshore Partner
If you want to accelerate your software development with the right team at the right value for today’s remote world, contact us about our Nearshore development teams.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to tap into the talented pool of Latin American developers at HatchWorks, delivering top-notch solutions across the region.
