Costa Rica tourism boom
Costa Rica smashed previous arrival records and was named the fastest‑growing destination of 2026, fueling an expansion of adventure and eco‑tourism offerings across the country . Expect more infrastructure and new eco‑friendly adventure products aimed at outdoor travelers this year.
The Costa Rican Tourism Institute reported)) 2,689,278 international arrivals in 2025—just a 1% increase on 2024—before the country’s winter season surge. January 2026 air arrivals jumped 10.3% year‑on‑year, driven largely by growth in Guanacaste province ([ticosland.com)]. Juan Santamaría’s overhaul is part of a roughly $390 million Master Plan ([sjoairport.com)], while the immediate T‑01 west terminal project carries a $62.2 million budget to add about 16,500 m² to the airport ([mopt.go.cr)]. The Juan Santamaría expansion had reached measurable construction milestones by early 2026, with the project team publicly noting progress on the terminal works (reported progress updates mid‑2026). (peopleofcostarica.com) Major carriers are restoring and adding nonstop links: Delta resumed Detroit–Liberia service ([airlinegeeks.com)], American launched a seasonal Philadelphia–Liberia route ([ticotimes.net)], and British Airways reinstated Gatwick–San José non‑stops in late 2024 (continuing into 2026 schedules) ([costaricadmc.com)]. Tour operators and accommodation providers expanded product lines for 2026, from newly opened hotels listed in Ted’s New Hotels Guide (Feb 2026) ([new-hotels-guide.com)] to bespoke multisport and eco‑lodge packages promoted by Adventure Life and Tripadvisor‑ranked operators ([adventure-life.com)]. Industry groups unveiled growth targets and reality checks: CANATUR set a long‑term goal of 5.2 million visitors by 2035 while also flagging uneven occupancy and shorter stays after 2025’s slow expansion ([travelmole.com)], and private booking data showed demand spikes—Tripmasters reported demand up more than 90% year‑on‑year in late 2025—fueling the new adventure and eco‑product launches. (prnewswire.com)
