Costa Rica Tourist Arrivals Jump 7.8% in First Half of 2026, Though June Edges Down
Costa Rica · Tourism
Key Facts
—Record start Costa Rica’s first quarter of 2026 surpassed 2019 pre-pandemic arrival levels for the first time, signaling a full demand recovery.
—North America drives growth US and Canadian visitors fueled the early-year surge, with Canadian arrivals up 32%, confirming the region’s enduring source-market strength.
—Colón appreciation The local currency has strengthened roughly 15–20% against the dollar since 2022, raising vacation costs for foreign tourists and squeezing operator margins.
—Infrastructure squeeze Airports in San José and Liberia are nearing operational capacity during peak times, limiting how many more visitors the country can handle.
—Market value pivot The tourism market is projected to grow from $393 million in 2026 to $562 million by 2031, shifting focus toward higher-spending, eco-luxury guests.
Costa Rica tourist arrivals rose 7.8% in the first half of 2026 reaching 1.6 million air arrivals, even as a 1.2% decline in June hinted that exchange-rate and capacity pressures are beginning to temper the rebound.
What the first-half numbers show
The country received 1,033,777 international visitors in the first quarter alone, an 11.3% year-on-year jump and the first time a first quarter beat pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Air arrivals between January and May reached 1,390,842, up 9.4% from the same period in 2025, according to the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT).
North American demand and new routes fuel the surge
The United States and Canada remain the principal engines of growth. In the first quarter, North America sent 734,115 visitors, with 556,648 coming from the United States alone. Canadian arrivals jumped 32% in early 2026, driven by joint public-private promotion efforts and a significant improvement in air connectivity.
The pressures behind the June softness
A sharply appreciating colón sits at the heart of the slowdown. After closing 2025 below ₡500 per US dollar and averaging near ₡453 by mid-May 2026—levels not seen in roughly two decades—the currency has made Costa Rica an estimated 15–20% more expensive for dollar-paying tourists than it was in 2022. Five-star hotel rates rose 20% on average in 2025, and four-star rates climbed 23%.
Why this matters for expats and investors
Tourism is among Costa Rica’s most vital sectors, anchoring employment and foreign-exchange earnings. The first-half 2026 arrival record, paired with the shift toward higher-value eco-luxury segments, supports long-term property and hospitality demand, but the strong colón is squeezing dollar-based margins—a direct concern for small business owners and real estate investors who earn in dollars while paying local costs in colones.
The outlook through 2031
The ICT projects 2.7–2.9 million international arrivals for all of 2026, but that forecast depends on a softer colón and new air routes maintaining their traffic. Mordor Intelligence’s baseline projects sustained market expansion even if volume growth moderates, because the strategy is tilting from counting arrivals toward capturing more spending per visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is driving Costa Rica’s tourism growth in 2026?
Strong North American demand is the main driver, with new air routes from the US and Canada adding seat capacity. A record first quarter, sustainability-focused branding, and a push toward higher-spending eco-luxury visitors also support growth.
Why did tourist arrivals dip in June 2026?
The slight decline is linked to a sharply appreciated colón, which makes Costa Rica more expensive for foreign tourists, along with some airport slot constraints and softer seasonal demand following the peak high season.
How important is tourism to Costa Rica’s economy?
Tourism is a cornerstone of employment and foreign-exchange income. The sector’s health directly influences real estate, hospitality, and local business revenues, making arrival trends and spending levels critical for investors and residents.
Sources: Costa Rica starts 2026 with the best first quarter of international arrivals in its history, Costa Rica breaks records: air arrivals surge by 9.4% in the first half of 2026, Costa Rica’s tourism comeback as record high season follows modest 2025 growth, El mercado turístico de Costa Rica crecerá 7.4% anual hasta 2031 y alcanzará $562.03 millones, según Mordor Intelligence, Costa Rica tourism 2026 hits new record high as visitor numbers rise sharply, Costa Rica welcomes over one million tourists in first quarter
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