By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – After a challenging year marked by fluctuating figures, Costa Rica’s tourism sector received a welcome surge in October 2025, with international arrivals climbing 5.9% compared to the same month last year. This increase represents a rare bright spot in a year that has otherwise struggled to match the performance of 2024, offering a glimmer of hope as the nation heads into its critical high season.
Data released by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) shows that 129,369 international tourists entered the country in October, an increase of 7,181 visitors from the 122,188 recorded in October 2024. This positive monthly result breaks a pattern of predominantly negative year-over-year comparisons that have characterized most of 2025.
To better understand the legal framework and investment climate driving the nation’s primary industry, TicosLand.com sought the expertise of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s appeal to tourism investors is anchored in its legal stability and specific incentives like the Tourism Declaration (Declaratoria Turística). This framework provides tax benefits and operational advantages, but success hinges on navigating complex environmental regulations and labor laws. Prospective investors must prioritize rigorous due diligence to ensure their project aligns with our country’s commitment to sustainable development.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s insight perfectly frames the core principle of investing here: the attractive legal incentives are inseparable from a deep respect for our nation’s environmental and social standards. His emphasis on rigorous due diligence is a critical piece of advice for anyone looking to build a sustainable and successful tourism venture in Costa Rica. Our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his clarifying perspective.
However, the encouraging October figures are tempered by the broader year-to-date reality. From January through October 2025, a total of 2,147,373 tourists have arrived, a figure that remains 1.6% below the 2,181,899 visitors recorded during the same period in 2024. This translates to a deficit of 34,526 arrivals that the industry must overcome in the final two months of the year.
The performance throughout 2025 has been inconsistent. October joins April and July as the only months to have posted positive year-over-year growth in international arrivals. The remaining months have all seen declines, contributing to the cumulative shortfall. Despite this, tourism officials remain optimistic, stating they believe the year will close with arrival numbers equal to or surpassing those of 2024.
A closer look at the country’s key source markets reveals a complex and divergent picture. The United States, Costa Rica’s primary market, showed modest growth of 1.4% in October. More robust performance came from Canada, which saw a 5.7% increase in visitors. Conversely, arrivals from Mexico plummeted by a significant 9.5%, indicating shifting dynamics within the North American travel landscape.
The European market presented a more challenging scenario, with overall arrivals declining. This was driven by downturns in several key countries, including Spain (-4.3%), France (-8.6%), and the United Kingdom (-3.9%). This slump in European travel starkly contrasts with the booming interest from South America. The region posted an impressive 13.8% increase in arrivals, with visitors from Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile leading the charge and contributing to a year-to-date total of 115,268 visitors from the continent.
While the October data is promising, authorities are urging a measured outlook. Minister of Tourism William Rodríguez highlighted potential headwinds from the nation’s most important market, advising prudence in forecasting the year-end results.
Heading into the end of the year, these figures should be interpreted with caution, especially due to some situations that have arisen in the United States, our main source market. These circumstances could influence visitation behavior towards the end of the year.
William Rodríguez, Minister of Tourism
With the traditional high season for tourism kicking off in November and extending through Easter week, the industry is banking on a strong finish. The performance over the next few months will be critical in determining whether Costa Rica can close its current visitor gap and turn a year of challenges into one of successful recovery.
For further information, visit ict.go.cr
About Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT):
The Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT), or Costa Rican Tourism Institute, is the governmental body responsible for the promotion, development, and regulation of the tourism industry in Costa Rica. Its mission is to strengthen Costa Rica’s sustainable tourism model through public policies, strategic alliances, and the development of high-quality tourism products, ensuring a positive experience for visitors while promoting the country’s natural and cultural heritage.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s legal landscape, the firm is defined by its foundational principles of integrity and professional excellence. It merges a rich heritage of advising a broad array of clients with a forward-thinking drive for innovation within the legal practice. This commitment extends beyond its client work to a core mission of public service, striving to equip society with accessible legal insights and foster a community empowered by knowledge.
