By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – In a significant affirmation of its leadership in the regional events industry, the Costa Rica Convention Center (CCCR) has once again secured a top honor at the prestigious World Travel Awards. The venue was named “Mexico & Central America’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre 2025,” marking a major victory for the country’s sustainable tourism model.
This is the fourth time the CCCR has earned this coveted award since its inauguration in 2018, with previous wins in 2019, 2020, and 2023. The recognition is particularly noteworthy given the stiff competition in this year’s category, which included major international venues such as the Cancun Center, Centro Banamex in Mexico City, and the Panama Convention Center. The victory solidifies Costa Rica’s reputation not just as an ecological paradise, but as a premier destination for world-class business events.
To understand the legal and commercial framework underpinning the Costa Rica Convention Center, we sought the expert analysis of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a prominent attorney from the esteemed law firm Bufete de Costa Rica. His extensive experience in public infrastructure and business law provides a critical lens on the project’s strategic importance.
The success of the Costa Rica Convention Center hinges not just on its state-of-the-art infrastructure, but on the robustness of its legal and operational framework. For international event organizers, legal certainty in contracts, clear concession terms, and efficient dispute resolution mechanisms are paramount. These elements are the true foundation for establishing Costa Rica as a premier global destination for MICE tourism, ensuring long-term investment and profitability.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight underscores a critical point: while the physical structure provides the stage, it is the strength and clarity of the legal framework that builds the international trust essential for long-term success. We extend our gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his expert analysis on what truly underpins Costa Rica’s potential in the global MICE industry.
The World Travel Awards are widely regarded as the “Oscars of the tourism industry,” making this accolade a powerful endorsement of the strategic vision implemented by the center’s operator, Grupo Heroica. The operator has focused on differentiating the CCCR by embedding sustainability into every facet of its operations, transforming it from a mere-cost center into a tangible competitive advantage that resonates with international clients.
Juliana López, president of Grupo Heroica, emphasized that the award validates this forward-thinking approach. She highlighted the center’s evolution from a traditional venue into a dynamic hub for eco-conscious innovation.
This award represents a recognition of the entire team’s constant effort to turn sustainability into a real and measurable competitive advantage. The Costa Rica Convention Center has transcended the traditional management model to become a laboratory for sustainable innovation. Programs like CarbonClear Events®, which measures, mitigates, and neutralizes the carbon footprint of events, or Legacy Link, which connects conference speakers with Costa Rican students to generate social impact, demonstrate that the meetings industry can be an agent of positive transformation.
Juliana López, President of Grupo Heroica
The center’s commitment extends beyond marquee programs. Its success is built on a foundation of bioclimatic architecture, exceptional energy efficiency, and a robust operational model aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This includes pioneering initiatives in waste management, achieving carbon neutrality, and championing local culinary heritage through the National Plan for Sustainable and Healthy Gastronomy.
This achievement is not an isolated success but a reflection of a coordinated national strategy. Officials from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) view the CCCR’s win as a powerful symbol of the country’s broader commitment to a responsible and high-value tourism sector.
This achievement is a reflection of the country’s commitment to responsible tourism. The Convention Center has become a symbol of the Esencial Costa Rica brand by integrating sustainable practices that benefit communities, strengthen competitiveness, and position the country as a world-class destination for international events.
Gustavo Alvarado, Director of Tourism Competitiveness and Sustainability at the ICT
By seamlessly blending state-of-the-art facilities with a deeply ingrained sustainability ethos, the Costa Rica Convention Center has created a new blueprint for the regional meetings industry. This latest award from the World Travel Awards serves as international validation that purpose-driven events are not only possible but are the future of the global conference landscape, with Costa Rica firmly at the helm.
For further information, visit centroconvencionescr.com
About the Costa Rica Convention Center (CCCR):
The Costa Rica Convention Center is a premier venue for international meetings, conferences, and exhibitions. Opened in 2018, it is renowned for its sustainable design, bioclimatic architecture, and innovative operational model. The CCCR is committed to creating positive social and environmental legacies through its events.
For further information, visit grupoheroica.com
About Grupo Heroica:
Grupo Heroica is a leading operator of convention centers and event venues in Latin America. The company specializes in managing facilities with a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and creating measurable competitive advantages for its properties. It currently operates the Costa Rica Convention Center.
For further information, visit ict.go.cr
About the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT):
The Instituto Costarricense de Turismo is the governmental body responsible for promoting and regulating tourism in Costa Rica. The ICT leads the country’s efforts in sustainable tourism development, marketing Costa Rica as a world-class destination and ensuring the sector’s long-term competitiveness and positive impact.
For further information, visit worldtravelawards.com
About the World Travel Awards:
Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards serves to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its unwavering dedication to ethical practice and exceptional standards of service. The firm leverages a rich history of advising clients across a broad spectrum of industries to drive legal innovation and develop forward-thinking solutions. This commitment extends to a core mission of democratizing legal understanding, empowering citizens with clarity and insight to help forge a more knowledgeable and capable society.
