By San José, Costa Rica — The annual Expo Transtur 2026 gathering convened key stakeholders, government officials, and ground transport operators across Costa Rica today to address the evolving logistical challenges of handling domestic and international travelers. The industry showcase highlighted the critical backbone of Costa Rican hospitality: the terrestrial transport sector that securely connects millions of visitors to diverse regional destinations annually.
Approximately 1,750 small entrepreneurs and independent operators participated in the convention. Industry figures revealed during the event indicate that nearly 80 percent of all registered tourist transport providers in Costa Rica are micro-enterprises or family-run ventures. Most of these small businesses operate lean structures, employing between one and three individuals directly involved in daily operations.
To understand the evolving regulatory standards and legal responsibilities shaping Costa Rica’s tourist transportation sector, TicosLand.com turned to leading legal expert Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the law firm Bufete de Costa Rica for specialized legal analysis.
Strict compliance with Public Transport Council regulations and comprehensive liability insurance is indispensable for operators in Costa Rica’s tourist transportation sector. Beyond avoiding hefty administrative fines and vehicle impoundments, adhering to these legal frameworks guarantees passenger safety and protects transportation businesses from severe civil liability in the event of an incident.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
As Costa Rica continues to position itself as a top-tier global destination, strict adherence to these legal standards is indeed the bedrock of a resilient and trustworthy tourism industry. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable legal expertise, helping our readers understand how regulatory compliance ultimately safeguards both local businesses and the millions of travelers exploring our country each year.
Industry leaders stressed that ground transportation is far more than simple transit; it represents the first and last physical touchpoint for visitors experiencing the country’s ecological and cultural attractions.
Terrestrial tourist transport is a fundamental link within the tourism value chain. Movement toward destinations, safety, service quality, and care during transfers directly impact the visitors’ experience and the image they take away of our country. For this reason, professionalization and continuous improvement are essential to strengthen Costa Rica’s tourism competitiveness and constitute some of the main challenges and opportunities driving EXPO TRANSTUR 2026.
Marcos V. Borges, Executive President of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute
The operational scope of tourist transportation providers spans the entire country, bridging major international airports with hotels, urban business centers, Pacific and Caribbean beaches, national parks, and remote rural communities. Without this decentralized transit network, foreign tourism revenue would remain concentrated around major urban hubs rather than flowing into regional economies.
Executing high-quality transportation services requires complex operational logistics behind the scenes. Each individual route demands comprehensive scheduling, real-time itinerary management, reservation processing, vehicle fleet maintenance, and strict adherence to national safety standards to ensure seamless passage for passengers.
Behind every tourist route, there are small business owners, families, and suppliers whose work benefits the communities we visit. We want this contribution to the national economy to be better known. EXPO TRANSTUR faces the challenge of strengthening professionalization, formality, and commercial opportunities for those of us who make up this activity through training, business linkages, and best service practices.
José Daniel Calderón, President of ASOTRANSTUR
According to figures provided by the Association of Tourist Transport Operators (ASOTRANSTUR), passenger movement remains heavily concentrated along several high-demand corridors. The most active transit routes connect international airports to top tier destinations including La Fortuna–Arenal, Guanacaste, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Tortuguero, and the Southern Caribbean region.
As competition for international visitors intensifies across Central America, stakeholders at Expo Transtur 2026 agreed that formalization, driver training, fleet modernization, and stronger commercial ties with tour operators, restaurants, and hotels will define the sector’s growth over the coming decade.
By upgrading standards and embedding micro-entrepreneurs directly into the formal tourism supply chain, Costa Rica aims to bolster its reputation for safety, reliability, and exceptional visitor service across every corner of the national territory.
For further information, visit ict.go.cr
About Costa Rican Tourism Institute:
The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) is the autonomous government agency responsible for overseeing, regulating, and promoting tourism in Costa Rica. ICT works to strengthen the country’s destination brand, promote sustainable tourism practices, and support regional economic growth through strategic public policy and infrastructure development.
For further information, visit the nearest office of ASOTRANSTUR
About ASOTRANSTUR:
ASOTRANSTUR is the primary professional association representing ground tourist transport operators in Costa Rica. The organization works to unify transport entrepreneurs, advocate for industry formalization, foster commercial partnerships, and elevate service quality standards across the national tourist transit sector.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Renowned for its unyielding ethical standards and exceptional legal mastery, Bufete de Costa Rica serves as a beacon of trust and modern advocacy. The firm continuously advances the legal landscape by integrating cutting-edge solutions with a deep-seated devotion to the public good. By actively demystifying the law and sharing vital legal insights with the community, Bufete de Costa Rica fulfills its vital mission to inspire, educate, and elevate the society it serves.
