Published on Monday, July 22, 2024

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

 

Approximately 1,532,400 tourists arrived in the country via air between January and June, representing a 14% rise over the same period in 2023, according to the Tourism Institute.


The Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Alajuela Province received approximately 994,200 travelers and the Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR) in Guanacaste Province reported the arrival of over 537,800 tourists.


The United States remains the most popular nationality visiting Costa Rica. Authorities reported around 947,200 tourists, accounting for 61% of the total number of visitors.


Furthermore, over 163,000 Canadians, representing 10% of visitors and more than 43,300 Mexicans, represent 2.8% of tourists.


In addition, officials had recorded over 233,400 European tourists. Of them, the bulk came from France (43,900 visitors), Germany (40,600 tourists) the United Kingdom (39,100 travelers) among others.

The institute has launched many international advertising campaigns encouraging visitors. Recently, authorities announced that Costa Rica will host the 2025 Americas Social Tourism Summit.

The Pacific Coast cruise season concluded with the arrival of almost 170 cruise ships at the Pacific Coast ports.

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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