Published on Thursday, August 29, 2024

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff


 

As of July, over 1,760,000 tourists arrived in the country via air, representing a 13.5% increase over the same period in 2023, according to the Tourism Institute.


The Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Alajuela Province served over 1,150,000 passengers. This statistic represents an 8.2% rise from the same time in 2023.


The Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR) in Guanacaste Province reported the arrival of over 614,000 tourists, equivalent to a 24.9% increase from last year.


The United States remains the most popular nationality visiting Costa Rica. Authorities reported around 1,100,000 tourists, accounting for 62% of the total visitors.


Furthermore, over 174,000 Canadians, representing 10% of visitors and more than 53,000 Mexicans, represent 3% of tourists.

In addition, officials had recorded over 273,000 European tourists. Of them, the bulk came from France (49,000 visitors), Germany (45,700 tourists) and the United Kingdom (45,300 travelers), among others.

Costa Rica's tourist industry generated $1.7 billion in revenue as of March, according to Central Bank of Costa Rica figures.

The institute has launched many international advertising campaigns to encourage visitors. This month, Costa Rica holds a significant trade mission in the Mexican cities of Monterrey and Mexico D.F. to market the country as a top destination.

The average spending of tourists increased by $300, according to authorities.

Tourism is one of the most important economic sectors in Costa Rica.  The country reported a new tourism record reached in 2023, with more than 2,4 million travelers.

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