Continued growth and reinvestment mark a breakthrough moment for the country, now reaching global status.
Every year since the COVID-19 Pandemic has seen steady increases in Costa Rica’s tourism visitation numbers. The country’s international standing regarding stability, environmental consciousness, and wellness has been a match made in heaven for all the priorities of a post-pandemic world, where seizing the moment and embracing adventure have become more widespread propositions. 2024 in particular has seen Costa Rica reach new heights.
As the current year comes to an end, the tico tourism industry is on track to shatter a record when it comes to revenue and visitation. An estimated 2.6 million tourists will have experienced a glimpse of the pura vida ethos by the end of 2024, which represents a 10% increase from the previous record in pre-pandemic 2019. According to data from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, this growth is matched by foreign exchange income, which is projected to exceed $5 billion.
Between January and September alone, the Central Bank of Costa Rica reported $4.2 billion in revenue from tourism, a clear indication of the sector’s robust recovery and unparalleled regional growth. This fact has also been matched by tourism employment; the third quarter of 2024 saw 189,093 direct tourism jobs recorded, according to the Continuous Employment Survey (ECE) by the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC). This is the highest number in the last three years, fueled by service activities such as lodging, food, transportation, car rentals, and recreational and cultural activities.
Currently, nearly 25% of Costa Rica’s economically active population is employed in tourism-related work when combining direct and indirect jobs. It has been a national strategy for the last couple decades, cementing the small Central American country as an active player when it comes to tropical destinations worldwide
Looking ahead, Costa Rica plans to enhance its tourism offerings through strategic investments and promotional campaigns. Key infrastructure projects include the construction of Tourist Police stations in Cahuita and Santa Teresa, set to open in April and June 2025, respectively. Additionally, ¢150 million will be allocated to upgrade iconic destinations such as Tenorio Volcano National Park, the Guayabo National Monument, San Lucas Island, and the Puntarenas Pier.
Costa Rica is also targeting emerging markets to attract new visitors. Promotional campaigns look to engage Scandinavian and Mediterranean countries, beyond the usual English speaking market of US, Canada and the UK, with efforts to establish direct flights from Denmark and Italy. These initiatives aim to diversify international visitor profiles and bolster the country’s reputation as a top global tourist destination.
With record-breaking revenue and visitation numbers, alongside strategic investments in infrastructure and marketing, Costa Rica’s tourism sector aims for even greater success in the coming years.