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Key Takeaways 

  • Real-time collaboration, not cost alone, now drives LATAM’s edge over traditional offshore markets.  
  • Total cost of ownership is replacing headline wage comparisons in offshoring decisions.  
  • Government-backed AI policy is expanding the region’s AI-ready talent pool.  
  • Companies are spreading operations across multiple LATAM countries instead of one. 

Table of Contents 

  1. Key Takeaways  
  1. What Are the Trends in Offshoring to LATAM?  
  • Time Zone Alignment 
  • Cost Savings Services 
  • Technology Development and AI-Augmented Professionals 
  • Multi-Country Strategy 
  • Market Growth 
  1. What Are the Top Three LATAM Countries for Offshoring?  
  1. Colombia 
  1. Mexico 
  1. Costa Rica 
  1. Conclusion  
  1. Frequently Asked Questions 

Offshoring to Latam is becoming a strategic solution for many organizations due to cultural and time zone alignment, cost savings, and a bilingual workforce. Beyond these perks, several other trends are reshaping how companies choose a delivery region. For years, Asia was the default answer when speed and price mattered most. However, that default is shifting due to continues change in business needs and strategies.  

As SSON stated in Research & Analytics and Auxis, 87% of surveyed global business services (GBS) leaders said they are satisfied or very satisfied with their LATAM operations, compared to 69% for North America, 64% for Europe, and 53% for Asia. 

Here are the trends shaping offshoring to LATAM in 2026. 


What Are the Trends in Offshoring to Latam? 

As offshoring strategies mature, new drivers are emerging beyond the traditional cost-saving pitch. Asia was once the default choice for offshore delivery, but as organizations gained experience with the model, nearshoring to Latin America has moved from a backup option to a primary strategy. Here’s what’s driving that shift in 2026. 

1. Time Zone Alignment 

Real-time collaboration is one of the clearest advantages LATAM holds over traditional offshore destinations. Colombia, for example, operates on UTC-5, aligning closely with U.S. Eastern Time and enabling live standups, faster approvals, and decision-making without overnight delays.  

That overlap is becoming a deciding factor for companies weighing nearshoring against offshore models with limited working hours overlap. This is one of the strongest arguments for offshoring to Latam over destinations with minimal business-hour overlap. 

2. Cost Savings Services 

Cost remains a foundational driver, but the conversation has shifted from simple wage arbitrage to total cost of ownership. Nearshoring to Colombia can cut labor-related costs by 50-70% once payroll taxes, benefits, recruiting, and infrastructure overhead are factored in, not just base salary comparisons. For companies evaluating offshoring to Colombia specifically, this total cost picture tends to matter more than headline salary figures alone. 

3. Technology Development and AI-Augmented Professionals 

Governments across the region are formalizing AI policy, which is shaping how technology talent develops locally. Recently, Colombia adopts CONPES 4144, which establishes the country’s National Artificial Intelligence Policy, aiming to build ethical, sustainable AI adoption and strengthen the country’s digital talent pipeline through 2030. Policies like this are accelerating the pool of AI-ready professionals available to nearshore partners. 

4. Multi-Country Strategy 

Companies are no longer betting on a single LATAM market. A recent report stated that 39% of organizations already operate in two or more LATAM countries, and 90% of GBS leaders either already operate in the region or plan to by 2027. Spreading operations across markets like Colombia, Mexico, and Costa Rica reduces geographic concentration risk while giving companies access to distinct talent strengths in each location. This diversification reflects a broader maturity curve in offshoring to Latam, where scale is built across markets rather than concentrated in one. 

5. Market Growth 

The Latin America’s business process outsourcing market is expected to reach a projected revenue of US$ 30,188.1 million by 2033, with customer service as the most profitable service type.  

The growth of BPO in LATAM is inevitable due to its continued investment in technology, number of college STEM graduates and cost-saving perks. Despite these impressive advantages, nearshoring to LATAM countries can still fail when clients partner with the wrong BPO company.  

At Connext, we make sure to provide the best service, not just by providing cost-efficient solutions brough by our skilled remote teams, we are also HIPAA compliant, and SOC-2 certified, ensuring data privacy. In addition to this, we operate following the co-management model, wherein each account is supported by a dedicated in-country team manager who oversees performance directly with your team. 

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What are the Top Three LATAM Countries for Offshoring 

Offshoring to LATAM countries such as Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and Chile provides several advantages, but knowing the top three destinations for nearshoring will help companies decide better and choose a country whose services align with their business model. 

Colombia 

Strong US Eastern time zone overlap, growing bilingual talent pool, competitive cost tier. Government has been actively courting BPO and tech investment (CONPES 4144 is one example). Popular for shared services, finance, and IT. Discover how you can build your nearshore team in Colombia.  

Mexico 

Besides the country’s growing bilingual workforce, it is also the largest nearshore talent pool for many US companies, strong for West Coast time zone alignment, USMCA gives it a trade-agreement edge. Deep bench in web, cloud, and data roles. 

Choosing a partner like Connext, provides companies wide pool of options from Colombia and Mexico, all while allowing clients to save 50-70%.  

Costa Rica 

Considered one of the most mature shared services markets in the region. Known for high English proficiency, political and institutional stability, and a long history hosting US multinationals. 

While the three countries share cost efficiency as a common denominator, each still possesses advantages that cater to an organization’s specific needs. Colombia shines in having a matured environment, with continued government investment in the technology and BPO sectors, while Costa Rica is known for its workforce with high English proficiency. Mexico, on the other hand, has a trade-agreement edge because of the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement). 

For organizations looking for the best destination for nearshoring technology services, read thisColombia vs Mexico: Exploring the Best Destination for Nearshore Technology Outsourcing


Why Partner with Connext  

Connext caters to various industries, including healthcare, Fintech, SaaS, and financial services. Providing talents from Mexico and Colombia. Through our EOR model, clients retain control of their business, with their internal teams managing daily operations while we handle HR, payroll, and legal compliance. Connext offers staffing solutions for mid-to-large enterprises, allowing clients to grow teams of up to 50 members and more. 

Comparison Table  

Partnering with Connext can help companies save a significant amount while gaining the same quality of service. Listed below are the comparison rates between offshoring to Connext vs. hiring in the U.S. 

Industry Category Offshore Rate Range US Loaded (Monthly) 
Accounting & Finance $2,078–8,386 $18,417 
Customer Service & Contact Center $1,911–2,156 $4,779 
Healthcare $1,808–2,495 $5,092 
Technical Support & IT $1,847–5,986 $12,675 

Bottom line: the highest amount an organization can spend when offshoring is $8,386, for a professional with 5+ years of experience. Unlike hiring in the U.S., where this amount may only get you a beginner. 

Contact Us for a Free Consultation  

Conclusion 

Choosing the right destination ultimately depends on what a business values most, whether that’s cost efficiency, government-backed talent pipelines, or English proficiency. Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico each offer distinct strengths, but all three deliver the core benefits that make offshoring to LATAM a strategic choice for companies seeking real-time collaboration and long-term scalability. As the region continues to mature, companies that align their priorities with the right country stand to gain the most value from their nearshore investment. 

Partnering with a service provider like Connext allows companies to outsource remote services at a more reasonable price, all while delivering the same quality of output or more.  

Build Your Offshore Team with Connext  

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between nearshoring and offshoring to LATAM? 

Nearshoring refers specifically to relocating operations to a nearby country, while offshoring to LATAM is often used interchangeably since the region sits close to the U.S. In practice, LATAM delivers offshore-level cost savings with nearshore-level time zone and cultural alignment.

Which industries benefit most from LATAM outsourcing?

Judgment-intensive functions like finance, healthcare operations, and customer experience tend to see the biggest gains, since these processes benefit most from real-time collaboration and cultural alignment with North American teams.

How long does it typically take to stand up a LATAM delivery team?

Timelines vary by function and staffing model, but companies moving from Asia-based operations often report faster ramp-up due to overlapping business hours and reduced onboarding friction.

Is data security a concern when offshoring to Colombia or other LATAM countries?

Data security depends on the specific vendor’s compliance framework and infrastructure rather than the region itself, so companies should evaluate certifications and data handling practices on a partner-by-partner basis.

What functions should companies nearshore first?

Many organizations start with transactional back-office functions before expanding into more complex, judgment-intensive processes once trust and process maturity are established with the delivery team.

Do LATAM providers support hybrid onshore-offshore models?

Yes, many companies pair a smaller onshore team with a larger LATAM-based team to balance oversight with cost efficiency, particularly for functions requiring occasional in-person collaboration.

Related Reads:  

Colombia vs Mexico: Exploring the Best Destination for Nearshore Technology Outsourcing 

How Nearshoring to Colombia Helps Our Clients Cut Costs by Up to 50% 

Why U.S. Brands Choose Mexico Customer Service Outsourcing in 2026 

References:  

SSON Research & Analytics, “2024 State of the GBS and Outsourcing Industry in Latin America,” SSON Network, 26 Sep 2024  

Brigard Urrutia, “AI takes off in Colombia! Colombia Adopts CONPES 4144,” Brigard Urrutia, 4 Mar 2025  

Grand View Research, “Latin America Business Process Outsourcing Market Size & Outlook,” Grand View Research, n.d.  

Office of the United States Trade Representative, “United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement,” United States Trade Representative, n.d.