Published on Tuesday, May 27, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

From January through April 2025, Costa Rica welcomed more than 1,082,000 international tourists arriving by air, according to figures released by the Tourism Institute (ICT).

The total reflects a slight decline of approximately 23,000 visitors compared to the same period in 2024 when more than 1,105,000 travelers were recorded.

The United States remains Costa Rica’s leading source of visitors, with around 500,000 Americans arriving during the first four months of the year. Canadian travelers followed with about 85,000 arrivals, while approximately 30,000 visitors came from Mexico.

Other key markets included Germany (24,000), France (23,000), the United Kingdom (22,000), Spain (17,000), and Colombia (10,000), among others.

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Alajuela handled over 600,000 passengers, while Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Guanacaste received more than 300,000 tourists.

Officials noted an increase in airline routes to Costa Rica. American Airlines recently launched a new nonstop service connecting Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) with Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD).

 

The expansion of air service comes as SJO undergoes a $62 million upgrade aimed at improving infrastructure and enhancing the travel experience at the country’s busiest airport.

Looking ahead, the hotel sector is poised for significant growth with 26 new hotel projects expected to open between 2025 and 2026.

Tourism continues to be a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s economy. In 2024, the country received over 2.6 million air arrivals, marking a 7% increase over the previous year.

In 2024, the tourism sector generated more than $5.4 billion in foreign exchange revenue, according to the Central Bank of Costa Rica.

ICT, the government agency tasked with promoting tourism, says it remains committed to investing in infrastructure improvements to meet rising international demand.

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What additional strategies should Costa Rica consider to attract even more tourists? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com