Costa Rica: 2025 is expected to close with a 1.7% increase in air visitation

Current projections from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) point to a year-end balance with the 1.7% growth target for air travel established in the 2022–2027 National Tourism Plan. This is despite a downward trend in international visitation during the first half of 2025.

This scenario contemplates a gradual recovery in the second half of the year, particularly beginning with the peak season, driven by the opening of 13 new air routes and robust investment in international promotion.

During the first half of 2025, tourist arrivals by air reached 1,489,008, representing a 2.8% decrease compared to the same period last year. "We know this isn't what many expect to hear, but it's what the data shows. And as a serious country, we address them with transparency," stated William Rodríguez, Minister of Tourism.

The official emphasized that the global environment of economic uncertainty, geopolitical conflicts, and a slowdown in international travel is influencing the travel decisions of millions of people around the world, a situation that is reflected in our country. In this context, the statistical models used by the ICT indicate that year-end visitation could be between 2,663,245 (ARIMA model) and 2,869,809 tourists (Holt-Winters model).

The minister emphasized that Costa Rica remains on track and maintains the confidence of its priority markets. Evidence of this, he explained, is the confirmed launch of 13 new air routes for the remainder of the year, originating from markets such as Canada, Mexico, the United States, France, and the Netherlands.

In addition, the ICT is implementing a robust international promotion strategy, with an investment of over US$43 million focused on key markets.

Specifically, the current National Tourism Plan 2022-2027 sets a growth target of 1.7% for air travel by 2025.

In the current situation, the Costa Rican Tourism Institute is redoubling and increasing its strategic actions in key source markets, making a historic investment of more than $43 million in international promotion.

Visitation by market in the first half of 2025 (by air)
North America: 1,120,321 (-2.9%)
United States: 921,324 tourists (main source market)
Canada: 156,148 tourists
Mexico: 42,849 tourists
Europe: 215,518 tourists (-7.7%). The main source markets were:
France 38,641
Germany 37,269
United Kingdom 36,328
Spain 21,330
Netherlands 13,812
South America: 73,378 tourists (+14.9%), led by Argentina, Colombia and Brazil.

Source: ICT.