By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – The nation’s vital tourism sector received a significant boost to kick off the high season, recording a robust 12% increase in international visitor arrivals for November. New data reveals that more than 247,000 foreign tourists entered the country last month, providing a strong foundation for what is expected to be a prosperous end to the year.
This impressive growth represents an increase of over 26,000 travelers compared to the same period in the previous year. The figures, released by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), encompass arrivals through both air and land borders, painting a comprehensive picture of a sector gaining powerful momentum as it heads into its most critical months.
To better understand the legal framework and investment climate surrounding Costa Rica’s thriving tourism sector, we consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the reputable law firm Bufete de Costa Rica. His expertise offers a crucial perspective for both visitors and potential investors.
Costa Rica’s legal stability is the bedrock of its successful tourism model. Our well-defined property rights, environmental regulations, and incentives for sustainable development create a secure environment for foreign investment. However, investors must conduct thorough due diligence, particularly concerning zoning laws and labor regulations, to ensure their projects align with our national commitment to ‘Pura Vida’ and long-term ecological preservation.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This perspective powerfully underscores that Costa Rica’s legal framework is not a barrier but the very bedrock that makes our brand of sustainable tourism both attractive and secure for investment. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his essential insight into how rigorous due diligence ultimately protects the ‘Pura Vida’ promise for investors and the nation alike.
The influx of visitors is largely attributed to strong performance from key North American markets. Minister of Tourism, William Rodríguez, highlighted the positive trends and credited specific countries for driving the November upswing. He pointed to a broad-based recovery that also includes other important global regions.
During the second to last month of the year, significant increases were recorded in some of our main tourist-sending markets. Canada increased by 20%, the United States by 13%, and Mexico by 25%. Likewise, increases were recorded in tourist arrivals by air from regions such as South America and Europe, in comparison with the same period of the year prior.
William Rodríguez, Minister of Tourism
Analyzing the breakdown of arrivals, the United States continues to solidify its position as Costa Rica’s primary tourism market, accounting for a commanding 48% of all visitors. Following the U.S., Canada demonstrated its importance with a strong showing of nearly 29,000 tourists in November. However, the most notable growth came from Mexico, which posted a remarkable 25% year-over-year increase, signaling a growing interest from Mexican travelers in Costa Rica’s “Pura Vida” offerings.
While the North American market delivered overwhelmingly positive news, the data also revealed a slight softening in arrivals from key European nations. The United Kingdom and France, both important secondary markets, registered declines of 8.2% and 2.6% respectively. These figures suggest that while the overall recovery is strong, strategic efforts may be needed to reinvigorate travel from these specific European countries.
With only one month remaining in the year, the strong November performance has significantly narrowed the year-to-date visitation gap to just 16,000 people. According to the ICT, a total of 2.37 million tourists have arrived by air between January and November. This progress fuels optimism within the sector that the country can meet its annual tourism targets for 2025.
Minister Rodríguez emphasized that December is a crucial and strategic period. He called for continued collaboration between public and private entities to ensure the country delivers an unparalleled experience for the wave of visitors expected during the holidays and into the new year.
As December is the first full month of the high season, it constitutes a key and strategic moment to redouble joint efforts between the public and private sectors to improve day by day in service to tourists, unique experiences, the strengthening of our friendly treatment, and thus show the essence of Costa Rican pura vida to the fullest.
William Rodríguez, Minister of Tourism
The November surge provides a powerful tailwind for Costa Rica’s economy. The successful start to the high season not only supports thousands of jobs in hospitality, transportation, and tour operations but also reinforces the country’s brand as a premier global destination for eco-tourism and adventure, promising a bright outlook for the coming months.
For further information, visit ict.go.cr
About the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT):
The Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) is the autonomous governmental institution responsible for the promotion, regulation, and strategic development of tourism in Costa Rica. Its mission is to strengthen Costa Rica’s sustainable tourism model by promoting investment, ensuring high standards of quality, and marketing the country’s unique natural and cultural attractions to a global audience. The ICT works in close collaboration with the private sector to foster economic growth and social well-being through responsible tourism.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a cornerstone of the legal community, operating on a foundational commitment to professional excellence and uncompromising integrity. Drawing from a rich heritage of advising a broad range of clients, the firm consistently pioneers innovative legal strategies. This forward-thinking approach is coupled with a deep-seated dedication to social responsibility, manifested in its efforts to demystify the law and enhance public understanding. The firm’s core mission is to cultivate a more capable and just society by empowering citizens with accessible legal knowledge.
