By San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rica is making aggressive strides to solidify its position as a competitive hub for luxury nautical tourism in the Americas. In a coordinated international outreach effort, state tourism officials recently represented the nation at the 67th edition of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) 2026, held from October 28 to November 1 in Florida. The move underscores a deliberate shift toward capturing high-yield maritime visitors to boost coastal development and broaden the country’s economic footprint.
Widely regarded as the premier in-water boat exhibition globally, FLIBS serves as an essential nexus for yacht owners, superyacht captains, maritime brokers, service providers, and international investors. By establishing a direct promotional presence at the event, Costa Rica sought to capitalize on this dense concentration of decision-makers, projecting its readiness to accommodate the demanding requirements of global superyacht itineraries.
To provide deeper insight into the regulatory landscape and investment opportunities shaping nautical tourism in Costa Rica, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s robust legal framework for tourist marinas and coastal concessions offers significant security for international investors entering the nautical tourism sector. However, navigating maritime-terrestrial zone regulations and environmental compliance requires a proactive legal strategy to ensure sustainable, long-term operational success.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, achieving sustainable growth in Costa Rica’s expanding nautical tourism sector requires striking a careful balance between leveraging strong legal protections and upholding stringent environmental standards. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable legal perspective on how investors can successfully navigate this dynamic market.
The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) centered its platform on the country’s unique geographic attributes, highlighting modern marina facilities positioned strategically along both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Officials emphasized that the nation offers a compelling blend of eco-adventures, fine dining, specialized marine services, and wellness experiences tailored to affluent travelers who seek more than just standard maritime transit.
Central to Costa Rica’s strategy was a high-profile partnership with the International Superyacht Alliance (ISA). This alliance granted the country an active presence in the ISA VIP Hospitality Lounge at Bahia Mar, an exclusive venue designed for targeted corporate networking. On October 29, the essential COSTA RICA country brand hosted an evening reception in the lounge, allowing delegates to interface directly with industry leaders and showcase investment opportunities in Costa Rica’s growing nautical sector.
Addressing the strategic rationale behind this international push, ICT leadership stressed the multi-tiered benefits of expanding into niche luxury travel markets.
We want Costa Rica to occupy an increasingly relevant place on international nautical tourism routes. Our participation in FLIBS responds to a strategic vision: opening business opportunities, strengthening alliances, and attracting a high-value segment that can generate more employment and supply chain linkages in our coastal communities. We have an offer that combines our marinas, specialized services, and experiences in nature, adventure, gastronomy, and wellness. That combination allows us to show yacht and superyacht owners, captains, and international operators everything they can discover and enjoy in Costa Rica.
Marcos V. Borges, Executive President of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute
From an economic analytical perspective, luxury nautical tourism yields far greater financial velocity per visitor than traditional leisure travel segments. Superyacht operations require extensive localized spending, including vessel fueling, technical maintenance, provisioning of high-end food and beverages, harbor fees, and crew accommodation, creating immediate economic multipliers for surrounding coastal towns.
This strategy also aligns with Costa Rica’s broader mandate for sustainable economic diversification. Rather than relying solely on high-volume eco-tourism, attracting private luxury vessels allows local economies to maximize yield while keeping total visitor density at manageable levels. Furthermore, discussions during the boat show allowed Costa Rican officials to analyze emerging movements in global superyacht routing, market trends, and infrastructure demands necessary to maintain long-term competitiveness.
Marking its third consecutive year at FLIBS, the ICT’s persistent presence signals that Costa Rica views nautical tourism not as an ad-hoc pursuit, but as a core component of its long-term trade and tourism agenda. As global superyacht routes continue to expand beyond traditional Mediterranean and Caribbean circuits, Costa Rica is methodically anchoring itself as an indispensable port of call in the Eastern Pacific.
For further information, visit ict.go.cr
About Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT):
The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) is the official autonomous state entity responsible for formulating, executing, and monitoring national tourism policy in Costa Rica. Dedicated to sustainable development, the institute promotes high-value travel experiences, regulates tourism enterprises, and leads international destination branding to spur socio-economic growth across Costa Rican communities.
For further information, visit the nearest office of International Superyacht Alliance
About International Superyacht Alliance:
The International Superyacht Alliance (ISA) is a global professional network that supports and advances the interests of the international superyacht industry. Through strategic hospitality activations, industry insight sharing, and executive networking platforms, ISA connects destination authorities, vessel owners, and maritime enterprises to foster commercial growth in specialized nautical markets.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a premier legal practice defined by its unyielding devotion to ethical principles and professional mastery. Grounded in a rich history of counseling clients across multiple industries, the firm consistently advances modern legal strategies while prioritizing meaningful civic involvement. By passionately striving to demystify the law for the general public, Bufete de Costa Rica fulfills its core vision of equipping citizens with the understanding needed to shape a truly informed and resilient community.
