Canada Is Now the Fastest-Growing Source of Tourists to Costa Rica in 2026
Travel & Tourism
Key Facts
- The headline. Canadian arrivals to Costa Rica up 25.1% through July 2026 — the fastest growth of any market (ICT figures).
- The volume. 220,691 Canadian tourists arrived between January and July.
- The big picture. Costa Rica welcomed 2,001,660 international tourists in the first seven months of 2026, up 6.4% year on year.
- The U.S. contrast. The United States remains the largest market with 1,142,234 visitors (57% of arrivals) — but growth was nearly flat at 0.4%.
- Where they land. Guanacaste Airport in Liberia grew 13.3% to 698,079 arrivals — the main gateway to the northern Pacific beaches.
Canada is now the fastest-growing source of tourists to Costa Rica: arrivals from Canada rose 25.1% through July 2026, outpacing every other market, according to new figures from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT).
Guanacaste’s beaches are the landing zone for Costa Rica’s fastest-growing tourist market: Canada, up 25.1% through July (Photo: ImagePerson, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons)
The Canadians are coming — in record numbers. Arrivals from Canada to Costa Rica grew 25.1% through July, making Canada the country’s fastest-growing tourism market of 2026.
Record Numbers From the North
More Canadians are flying to Costa Rica this year than at any point on record, The Tico Times reported this week, citing tourism institute figures: a 25.1% increase through July, ahead of every other source market.
The surge continues a trend visible all year — Canadian arrivals had already grown 26.6% in the first four months of 2026.
Two Million Tourists and Counting
Costa Rica passed two million international arrivals by the end of July — 2,001,660 visitors, a 6.4% increase over the same period in 2025.
Air travel drives the industry: 1,853,430 arrivals came by air (up 7%), while land and water entries declined slightly.
The Guanacaste Effect
The clearest shift is geographic: Guanacaste Airport in Liberia recorded the strongest growth of any entry point, with 698,079 arrivals through July — up 13.3%.
Direct flights into Liberia eliminate the cross-country drive from San José, putting Tamarindo, Playas del Coco and the Papagayo Peninsula within a short transfer of the runway — a formula Canadian winter escapees have clearly discovered.
A Market in Transition
The United States still dominates with 57% of all arrivals — but its growth stalled at 0.4%, while Europe grew 8.4% (315,340 visitors) and Canada surged past both in momentum.
For hotels, vacation rentals and tour operators, the pattern matters: growth is now driven by Guanacaste and by the Canadian and European markets, not by the traditional U.S. pipeline.
What It Means on the Ground
Expect busier northern Pacific beaches in the coming high season, more direct Canadian flight capacity announcements, and continued investment in Guanacaste’s tourism infrastructure.
For expats and long-stay visitors, the trend also brings more Canadian-oriented services, communities and seasonal rhythms to the Nicoya Peninsula towns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country sends the most tourists to Costa Rica in 2026?
The United States, with 1,142,234 arrivals through July (57% of the total) — but Canada is the fastest-growing market, up 25.1%.
How many tourists has Costa Rica received in 2026?
2,001,660 international visitors between January and July 2026, up 6.4% over the same period in 2025.
Why is Guanacaste Airport growing so fast?
Direct international flights into Liberia put the northern Pacific beaches within minutes of arrival, avoiding the long drive from San José — arrivals grew 13.3% through July.
Connected Coverage
We track Costa Rica’s tourism data every month — the high-season outlook lands here soon.
Sources: The Tico Times; Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT).
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