Brilliant start for Costa Rica tourism in the first two months of 2026
Costa Rica has kicked off 2026 at a record pace, with international arrivals climbing sharply in the first two months of the year.
Official data from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute shows the destination welcomed 653,959 visitors in January and February combined, marking a 10.4% increase compared to the same period in 2025. February alone accounted for 331,967 arrivals across all entry points, extending a five-month streak of year-over-year growth.
Air travel continues to power the surge. A total of 602,960 visitors arrived by air during the first two months, up 12.2% year-on-year. In February, air arrivals reached 308,873, with North America once again delivering the strongest gains.
North America remains Costa Rica’s dominant source market. The country received 454,889 visitors from the region in January and February, including 337,027 from the United States and 103,876 from Canada. Europe also delivered solid performance, with 115,870 arrivals, up 6.6%, reinforcing its role as a key long-haul feeder market. The best long-haul market performance came however from Asia, with arrivals up by 16.6% for the first two months of 2026, although from a low basis. Total Asian markets represented 9,583 arrivals.
Airport data highlights where demand is concentrating. Juan Santamaría International Airport in San Jose handled 372,295 international arrivals in the first two months of 2026, while Daniel Oduber Quirós Airport in Liberia welcomed 230,406 passengers. Liberia recorded the fastest growth, with arrivals rising 16.3% year-on-year, underlining the continued appeal of Guanacaste’s beach and resort offering.
For travelers, the figures point to a busy peak season that is building momentum into spring. High-demand destinations such as Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio, La Fortuna, and Monteverde are expected to see tightening availability first, particularly for hotels, domestic flights, rental cars, and guided tours.
While there is still some room for last-minute travel, flexibility is narrowing on the most popular routes and accommodations. This could influence decisions for travelers weighing shoulder season deals against crowd levels.
The strong start comes as Costa Rica faces increasing competition from regional destinations, particularly on pricing. However, demand has held firm so far in 2026, supported by robust volumes from its key long-haul markets.
If current trends continue through the coming months, Costa Rica is on track for a standout 2026 year in international tourism.
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