The United States and Canada Account for Two-Thirds of Tourist Arrivals

The United States and Canada remain the leading source markets for international tourism in Costa Rica. During the first nine months of 2026, the two countries accounted for approximately 66% of tourist arrivals to the country, according to data from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT).

Between January and September, Costa Rica welcomed 2,310,320 tourists, representing a 4.8% increase compared with the same period in 2025. These figures highlight the importance of North American markets to the country’s tourism industry and economy.

The United States Leads Tourist Arrivals

With 1,288,001 tourists between January and September 2026, the United States remained Costa Rica’s largest source market. This figure represents more than half of all arrivals recorded during that period.

The importance of this market is linked to air connectivity between the two countries and interest in Costa Rica’s tourism offerings, which include national parks, beaches, wildlife watching, adventure activities and nature-based experiences.

For the tourism industry, maintaining strong ties with the US market is important for airlines, hotels, tour operators and local businesses that depend on international visitors.

Canada Records Significant Growth

Canada ranked second among the leading source markets, with 239,065 tourists during the first nine months of 2026. According to ICT figures cited in tourism reports, arrivals from Canada increased by 24.6% compared with the same period a year earlier.

This growth highlights the importance of the Canadian market within Costa Rica’s national tourism strategy. Air connectivity and international promotion play an important role in facilitating travel and maintaining interest in the destination.

The development of this market also represents an opportunity for tourism businesses seeking to diversify their international clientele, although an increase in arrivals does not necessarily translate into a proportional increase in revenue for every business.

Tourism Recovery Approaches Pre-Pandemic Levels

The 2,310,320 arrivals recorded between January and September 2026 put Costa Rica’s tourism figures close to pre-COVID-19 levels. During the same period in 2019, the country welcomed 2,380,844 tourists.

This comparison illustrates how international tourism has evolved over several years and provides a reference point for assessing the sector’s recovery. However, visitor numbers are only one relevant indicator. Tourist spending, length of stay, the geographical distribution of visits and their effects on employment also matter.

Tourism is an important source of economic activity for many parts of the country, particularly areas where accommodation, restaurants, transportation and recreational activities depend heavily on visitors.

The Low Season Presents New Challenges

Despite the cumulative growth recorded during the first nine months of the year, arrivals declined in August and September compared with the same months in 2025.

In September 2026, Costa Rica received 118,888 tourists, 2.4% fewer than the 121,815 recorded in September of the previous year. This trend coincides with the tourism low season, which the ICT identifies as running from August to October.

During these months, maintaining demand can be more difficult for tourism businesses, particularly in destinations with pronounced seasonal fluctuations. International promotion and air connectivity are therefore among the strategies used to encourage visits and distribute tourism activity more evenly throughout the year.

The challenge is to maintain interest in the destination beyond peak travel periods while strengthening the industry’s competitiveness and promoting tourism that benefits local communities.

Diversifying Source Markets to Strengthen Tourism

Although the United States and Canada account for a substantial share of international arrivals, Costa Rica also welcomes visitors from other markets, including Mexico, Nicaragua, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Spain.

This diversity creates opportunities to expand the country’s international presence and reduce its relative dependence on a limited number of source markets. Achieving this requires tailored promotional strategies, improved connectivity and tourism offerings that respond to the interests of different types of travelers.

Monitoring tourism statistics helps identify trends, assess the performance of individual markets and guide decisions in both the public and private sectors.

The 2026 figures show that the United States and Canada continue to play a central role in Costa Rican tourism. At the same time, monthly arrival patterns serve as a reminder that annual growth does not eliminate the challenges associated with seasonality and the need to diversify demand.

Official Sources

Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT). Statistical reports on international tourist arrivals by country of origin, 2026.
Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT). “Costa Rica Expected to Close 2025 with 1.7% Growth in Air Arrivals.” July 15, 2025.
Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT). “Costa Rica Welcomed 2.6 Million Tourists in 2024.” January 16, 2025.
Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR). Annual Report 2025, section on the external sector and tourism services.