Costa Rica achieved record-breaking foreign visitor arrivals by air in the first half of 2026, confirming historic growth in international tourism according to the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT). Passenger numbers at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) exceeded the most optimistic forecasts for the period ending June 2026.
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Alajuela and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, Guanacaste, led passenger arrival growth, benefiting multiple regions including Alajuela and Guanacaste provinces. Increased arrivals boosted tourism appeal across Pacific and Caribbean beaches, as well as volcanoes and cloud
forests in the interior.
The rise in arrivals is attributed to increased flight frequencies and targeted promotional campaigns in key overseas markets. Costa Rica’s national strategy focused on attracting airlines and consolidating non-stop international connections. The country’s sustainable tourism model emphasizes biodiversity conservation, safety, cultural richness, ecotourism, and wellness, contrasting with other mass-tourism destinations.
Traditional markets from North America and Europe remain the primary source of tourist arrivals. The focused national strategy on airline attraction and direct flight routes has been decisive in sustaining growth for the period.
Tourism authorities stated, “These results confirm Costa Rica’s positioning as a mature,
safe, and highly attractive destination on the global map. Joint efforts between the public and private sectors continue to yield concrete benefits for the national economy.”
Popular visitor destinations include both Pacific and Caribbean coast beaches, inland volcanoes, and cloud forests, distributing the economic impact of tourism across rural and coastal communities throughout the country.
Looking ahead to the second half of 2026, authorities and industry leaders maintain a positive outlook focused on the high season. Efforts to improve tourism infrastructure aim to ensure service quality for visitors during peak months.
