Before the pandemic, Costa Rica, renowned for its lush rainforests, stunning beaches and commitment to sustainability, was already a darling of the global tourism industry.
However, like the rest of the world, the country’s tourism sector took a hard hit during the pandemic.
Now, in a remarkable turnaround, Costa Rica tourism has not only bounced back but has surged to new heights, increasing its visitor count by more than doubled since 2021.
🇨🇷 Data reveals, Costa Rica is a winter travel destination of choice for North American vacationers.
Let us dive into the numbers, identify the regions and countries contributing to this growth, and explore the broad reasons behind this resurgence.
As Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for supporting Paradise Catchers.
Costa Rica Visitor Count : A Snapshot
⭐️ Costa Rica, a country of just 5.1 million population, welcomed 2.9 million visitors from across the world in 2024.
85% of the total visitors in 2024 were from North America and Europe, with 55% just from the United States 🇺🇸
The visitor statistics of Costa Rica tells you a story of resilience and recovery, with the numbers now almost touching the pre-pandemic numbers.
Here are some visitor count statistics from Instituto Costarricense de Turismo:
| Year | Number of Visitors | |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3.1 million | 😊 |
| 2020 | 1.0 million | 😞 a drastic drop due to the pandemic |
| 2021 | 1.3 million | ☹️ beginning of recovery |
| 2022 | 2.4 million | 🙃 recovery leap |
| 2023 | 2.7 million | 🙂 continued growth |
| 2024 | 2.9 million | 😇 almost reaching pre-pandemic levels |
❄️ The busiest months in Costa Rica are between December and March, the colder months in the northern hemisphere.
US and Canada driving the Costa Rica visitor numbers
🇺🇸 🇨🇦 Number of visitors from the US and Canada increased from 1.6 million in 2019 to 1.9 million in 2024.
📈 This growth represents more than 20% increase in Costa Rica visitor numbers from these 2 countries.
Why Costa Rica? The Attraction Factors
From our years of living and traveling in Costa Rica, we feel these are the top 3 factors that drive visitors to Costa Rica during the winter months in the north (December to March):
☀️ Tropical weather – Dry Season in Costa Rica, that is, our summer.
🦥 Nature and Wildlife – Higher chances of spotting many species of animals and birds during this season.
🏄🏽 Outdoor Activities – Great conditions for most outdoor activities, like beaches and waterfall hikes.
Here are some of the reasons why Costa Rica has been an excellent choice for different types of travelers:
Beat the winter in the colder regions of the North
As winter settles over the colder regions of the US, Canada, and Europe, Costa Rica emerges as a getaway with warmth and outdoor activities.
For those looking to escape the biting chill and grey skies, Costa Rica offers sunny beaches, biodiverse tropical forests, abundant wildlife and a warm cultural experience that serve as the perfect antidote to winter blues.
✈️ The increasing direct flight connections from several cities in North America and Europe to the 2 major international airports, San Jose (SJO) and Liberia (LIR), enhanced the travel options to Costa Rica.
➡️ Related Reading: Find out about the best time and places to visit Costa Rica by months in our guide.
Some of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica to kickstart your exploration are:
☁️ Monteverde
🏖️ Tamarindo
🏄🏽 Santa Teresa
If you are looking for offbeat destinations in Costa Rica with incredible biodiversity, we recommend:
Nature and Eco-Tourism
Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity and dedication to preserving its natural environment have always been major draws for eco-tourists.
In recent years, Costa Rica has become synonymous with eco-tourism, attracting travelers who not only seek leisure but also aim to connect with nature and support sustainable practices.
🌱 This trend has gained momentum as more travelers worldwide are becoming environmentally conscious.
✅ Did You Know: Costa Rica holds more than 5% of world’s biodiversity, while it is just 0.03% of the earth’s landmass.
National parks and nature reserves like Monteverde Cloud Forest, Tortuguero National Park and Corcovado National Park are prime examples of the country’s biodiversity and conservation practices. These areas offer visitors a chance to see wildlife, pristine landscapes and conservation efforts.
Apart from that, eco-lodges, green hotels, and community-based tourism projects attract environmentally conscious travelers, ensuring that growth does not come at the expense of the environment.
🏡 Check out some of the best eco-lodges of Costa Rica, what they offer and their efforts.
Two of Costa Rica’s wildlife favorites – Left: A keel-billed toucan, Right: Sloth
Adventure Activities
The country’s reputation for adventure activities is a significant attraction.
From zip-lining through forests to white-water rafting and rappelling, from hiking to surfing, Costa Rica provides an adventure abundant and safe travel experience, appealing to thrill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts.
La Fortuna and Monteverde are the top popular destinations for visitors who like adventure activities. These destinations have some of best zip-lining experiences, hanging bridges, white-water rafting, waterfalls, and hiking.
For surfing, experienced surfers can pick Santa Teresa or Uvita, Dominical on the Pacific Coast, or Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on Caribbean coast.
Pura Vida Lifestyle and Wellness Travel
Post-pandemic, health and wellness travel has seen a surge among travelers across the world, and Costa Rica is poised to meet this demand.
This quintessential Costa Rican phrase, Pura Vida, which translates to ‘pure life’, embodies the nation’s approach to living life to the fullest with a deep sense of gratitude, positivity, and tranquility.
😇 The Pura Vida lifestyle of Costa Rica is a collective idea of the Costa Ricans (known as ‘Ticos’) that emphasizes simple living, well-being and connection with nature.
The Ticos are known for their friendliness and a reason why Costa Rica is often considered as one of the friendliest or happiest countries in the world.
The country offers rejuvenation in beautiful natural settings through various ways, such as:
🧘🏽♀️ Yoga retreats
💦 Natural Volcanic Hot Springs
☘️ Wellness Resorts
🧖♂️ Spa Vacations
Pick your interests and plan accordingly. These become cherished parts of your travel experience, compelling you to return to Costa Rica some day, or carry the joy into your own lives.
Luxury Travel with a Difference
Costa Rica is not only for adventurers and nature lover enthusiasts, but it also offers a wealth of luxurious experiences that cater to travelers seeking comfort, exclusivity, and elegance.
There are numerous boutique luxury hotels and eco-friendly luxury hotels in Costa Rica scattered across the country.
If you are looking for all-inclusive resorts, most are located in the Papagayo area of Guanacaste province in the northern part of Costa Rica.
🏡 We prefer boutique hotels or eco-lodges over all-inclusive resorts.
☘️ In our opinion and experience, the real beauty of Costa Rica lies in its wilderness, and the eco-friendly accommodations in the country do a great job of creating luxury experiences in harmony with their the natural surroundings.
Beyond accommodations, luxury travel in Costa Rica includes bespoke experiences that cater to individual tastes and desires:
✨ Exclusive Experiences: From exclusive wildlife encounters (in their natural habitat) to personalized cultural tours like cooking classes and farm visits, private excursions offer a tailored approach to explore Costa Rica, all guided by local experts who offer insights beyond the ordinary.
Plan Your Trip to Costa Rica
If you want to plan your holiday in this friendly Central American country, here are some of our suggested Costa Rica itineraries to start planning your dream trip:
➡️ A 10-Day Costa Rica Itinerary from Liberia
➡️ A 2-Week Costa Rica Itinerary from San Jose: The highlights of Costa Rica.
➡️ How to plan a 5-Day Costa Rica Itinerary from San Jose or Liberia
Travel Resources
- Flights: Skyscanner
- Hotels: Booking.com | Expedia
- Tours: Viator | GetYourGuide
- Travel Insurance:
- Heymondo (get 5% off)
- SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
- eSIMs:
- Transfers: Bookaway. Code PARADISE5 for 5% off
If you enjoy reading our free travel guides, tips and stories, you can buy us a coffee and help us create more such travel planning tools for you. Thanks for supporting Paradise Catchers.
Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or a booking through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you.
