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Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast Cruise Season Sets Sail




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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.





The average spending per traveler is $3,000, authorities added. INCOP estimates that each cruise visit generates more than $55,000 in revenue for the local economy.



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.







The tourism industry also reached a significant economic milestone during the first quarter of 2026, generating more than $2 billion in tourism revenue for the first time in the country’s history.



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.



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What should Costa Rica do to boost its cruise season?
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