Growth in Tourism

When Jeanne and I relocated to Costa Rica in 2000 for our business, we discovered a country that few travelers had yet found their way to. The infrastructure was charmingly raw — getting from one place to another was often something of an adventure in itself. The roads, mostly unpaved, had a character all their own, and the one-lane bridges would creak and sway gently beneath the weight of the car, making you pause and appreciate just how far off the beaten path you'd ventured. Landslides occasionally had their say, temporarily closing off certain routes. But when the roads were open, they rewarded your patience beautifully — winding their way to some truly breathtaking places, including the many national parks that made Costa Rica so special.

In the last ten years the Costa Rica tourism board has done a good job of presenting Costa Rica as a desirable destination for vacations. Too good in my opinion. Not only are the many national parks overloaded but many of the visitors have decided that this is a great place to live. They're not wrong but all of this sudden growth has changed Costa Rica. Tamarindo, a beautiful place, has been called Tamagringo by the locals. Businesses and restaurants that cater to the new people has given the area a new look, much like you would find in the USA.

Tourism has transformed Costa Rica enormously since we first arrived in 2000. Here's a broad picture of what's happened:

Economic boom. Tourism has become one of the fastest-growing economic sectors in the country, surpassing bananas, pineapples, and coffee exports combined in foreign exchange earnings since 1999. By 2024, tourism income reached an unprecedented $5.43 billion, with about 183,000 people employed directly in tourism — nearly a quarter of the economically active population when indirect jobs are included. Latina Republic

Visitor numbers. Arrivals grew from 329,000 in 1988 to over 2 million by 2008, reaching a then-record 2.66 million in 2015. By mid-2024, over 1.5 million tourists had arrived by air in just the first six months alone — a 14.5% increase over the same period in 2023.

Infrastructure improvements. The country has invested heavily to keep up with demand. Costa Rica now has two international airports, local airfields, ports on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, an expanding road network, and a modern convention center.

The downside — real estate and communities. Not all change has been welcome. In beach towns like Tamarindo and Jacó, a real estate boom completely transformed local life, with property prices rising so high that many Costa Ricans can no longer afford beachfront land. In some cases, local communities have been pushed out to areas with less infrastructure and fewer job opportunities.

Sustainability pressures. Travelers increasingly seek sustainable and eco-friendly experiences, and Costa Rica has leaned into this — protecting over 25% of its territory through national parks and wildlife areas. But managing growth responsibly remains an ongoing challenge.

Recent headwinds. In 2025, the industry faced some turbulence — a strengthening colón hurt businesses that earn dollars but pay local costs in local currency, and rising security concerns also gave some travelers pause.