The Juan Santamaría International Airport registered an increase of 11.1% in tourist arrivals in February 2024 compared to the same period of the previous year. For its part, the Daniel Oduber International Airport experienced an impressive 28.0% growth in the number of tourists during the same period, according to migration data processed by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute.
In absolute numbers, in the month of February, the air route received a total of 291,152 tourists (16.4% more than in February 2023), of which 190,170 entered through the Juan Santamaría International Airport and 100,928 through the International Daniel Oduber. The figures reflect travelers' continued interest in exploring Costa Rica.
Cumulatively, during the first two months of the current year (January and February), North America has contributed a total of 408,329 tourists by air, which represents an increase of 17.8% compared to the same period of the previous year. Likewise, Europe has shown a growth of 6.8%, adding a total of 106,270 tourists in the first two months of the year.
Regarding the countries that send tourists to Costa Rica this two-month period, the United States tops the list with a total of 311,942 tourists, which represents an increase of 19.6% compared to the previous year. Canada and Mexico have also seen significant increases of 10.1% and 29.9% respectively.
The main European markets also show notable dynamism in the first two months of the year. France 22,753 (+16.2%), United Kingdom 17,848 (+4.8%), Germany 17,866 (+10.6%), Netherlands 7,055 (+12.0%), Spain 7,198 (+16.2%), +10.4%), and Switzerland 5,737 (-1.7%).
"With a total of 503,489 seats registered and scheduled to Costa Rica by the different airlines for the month of March, we are anticipating that next month and the first quarter will be exceptionally prosperous for our tourism sector," said the Minister of Tourism, William Rodriguez. "It is especially gratifying to see an increase of 80,566 seats compared to the same month last year."