The Embassy of Costa Rica in Berlin

Amb. Antonio Lehmann Gutiérrez

Antonio José Lehmann Gutiérrez, born on November 19, 1960, is the Ambassador of the Republic of Costa Rica to Germany. He is married and has three children. His academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing from the University of Costa Rica, obtained in 1982. He furthered his education in Germany, earning degrees in Banking Management from Deutsche Bank in Bremen, Strategic Planning from the University of Cologne, and a Computer Systems Analyst certification from IHK in Cologne. Additionally, he pursued Corporate Management studies at ADEN in San José, Costa Rica, from 2004 to 2006.

Ambassador Lehmann's professional career is marked by significant roles in both the public and private sectors. Before his diplomatic appointment, he served as Managing Director of Librería Lehmann SA from 2009 to 2023. His career at Librería Lehmann began in 2001 as the Commercial Director and System Manager and later included roles as Managing Director of Almacén Fiscal Lehmann and Importadora Global LG SA. His international experience includes managing A1-PW Solutions in Tampa, FL, and working as a Sales Manager and Systems Analyst in Cologne, Germany.

Throughout his career, Ambassador Lehmann has engaged in continuous professional development. He completed various courses on advanced sales, negotiation techniques, family business management, and marketing, among others. His extensive expertise spans across Europe, the USA, and Latin America, making him a well-rounded professional with a global perspective.

Fluent in Spanish, English, and German, Ambassador Lehmann brings a wealth of linguistic and cultural knowledge to his diplomatic role. He is also actively involved in several professional organizations, having served on the boards of the Chamber of Exporters and Importers of Costa Rica (CRECEX), the German Chamber of Commerce (AHK), and the Costa Rican Chamber of Books.

In his personal life, Antonio Lehmann enjoys a variety of hobbies, including photography, video production, droning, diving, cycling, judo, karate, radio amateur activities, music, aviation, meteorology, seismology, cosmology, marine biology, and oceanography. His diverse interests reflect his dynamic personality and commitment to lifelong learning.

Costa Rican-German bilateral relations are untroubled. They are focused primarily on trade and economic exchange, long-standing development collaboration, and cooperation on environmental issues and climate protection. Germany enjoys a positive image in Costa Rica, thanks in part to the country’s well-assimilated German community.

Germany is one of Costa Rica’s principal trading partners in the European Union, and Costa Rica is a popular holiday destination for Germans (around 70,000 German tourists visited the country in 2015).

On an education level the Costa Rican-German bilateral relations are also good. The German Academic Exchange Service’s (DAAD) has a regional office in San José, which runs an Information Centre that conducts bilateral and regional programmes to promote the exchange of lecturers and students. There are special bilateral agreements on academic and student exchanges with Costa Rican institutions. There are also two Goethe Centers in San José.