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Published on
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Costa
Rica’s Pacific Coast cruise season is
underway, with more than 70 cruise
ships expected to call at the
country’s three main Pacific ports in
Puntarenas Province, Puntarenas,
Quepos
and Golfito,
between September 2026 and June 2027,
the Pacific Ports Institute, known as
INCOP, announced. The
season is expected to bring about
150,000 passengers and crew members to
the Pacific Coast, representing growth
from the previous season, when 64
cruise ships arrived with about 90,000
passengers. Officials
said the average cruise visitor will
spend approximately eight hours
exploring local destinations and
participating in tourism activities.
Among the
attractions available to visitors are the Golfito National
Wildlife Refuge, a lush
rainforest directly behind the town that
features hiking trails, including the
Radio Tower Trail, as well as abundant
local biodiversity. Visitors can also
explore Manuel Antonio
National Park, near Jaco Beach,
which is known for combining rainforest
trails with pristine white-sand beaches,
among other attractions along the
Puntarenas Province. Visitors can also
expect cultural events and other
activities designed to enrich their
stay, officials said. Cruise ship
arrivals provide a boost to local
economies and tourism services because
passengers typically disembark to take
part in excursions and other activities.
Their spending directly benefits
transportation providers, tour guides,
national parks, local stores,
restaurants and adventure sports
operators, among other businesses,
officials said.
Costa
Rica continues to promote the country as a
cruise destination, particularly in the
United States. Earlier this year,
representatives from the Costa Rican
Tourism Institute, known as ICT,
participated in Seatrade Cruise Global
2026 at the Miami Beach Convention
Center in the U.S. State of Florida.
Tourism
remains one of Costa Rica’s most important
economic sectors. More than 1.6 million
travelers arrived in the country by
air during the first half of 2026,
underscoring the industry’s continued role
as a major contributor to the national
economy.
In 2025, Costa Rica welcomed more than 2.6 million air travelers.
INCOP is the
institute responsible for managing and
modernizing Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast
ports to support commercial, economic
and tourism activity in the region. The ICT is the
government agency responsible for
promoting Costa Rica as a tourism
destination and supporting the country’s
tourism industry. What should Costa Rica do to boost its cruise season? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com
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