San José and Costa Rica tourism are navigating a changing regional travel environment as currency movements and operating costs become increasingly important factors for tourism businesses. The Costa Rican colón’s strength against the US dollar has created a financial consideration for operators whose revenues can be received in dollars while many domestic expenses are paid in colones.
That dynamic affects hotels, tour operators, transport companies, restaurants and other businesses serving international visitors. Salaries, utilities, fuel and purchases from local suppliers are generally part of the domestic cost structure, while international tourism can generate revenue in foreign currency.
At the same time, Costa Rica is competing for travellers across a Latin American market where several destinations are expanding their tourism offerings. San José remains an important entry point, but visitors can choose from a growing range of city, beach, nature and adventure destinations across the region.
Official Costa Rican tourism data continues to track international arrivals, tourism foreign-exchange earnings, visitor spending and average stays as key indicators of the sector. The Instituto Costarricense de Turismo maintains current arrival statistics and tourism indicators covering destination, monetary and business activity.
Currency Movements Affect Tourism Operations
Currency conditions matter particularly for tourism businesses working with international visitors. When operators receive payments in US dollars but face local expenses in colones, changes in the exchange relationship can affect the amount of domestic currency generated from each dollar of tourism revenue.
This can become relevant across different parts of the visitor economy. Accommodation providers need to manage staffing and property expenses, while transportation companies face fuel and maintenance costs. Tour operators also purchase services and supplies locally while marketing and selling experiences to international customers.
For travellers, exchange rates can influence the overall cost of accommodation, transport, food, tours and activities. Visitors planning a Costa Rica holiday therefore encounter a destination where the relationship between international currencies and local prices remains an important part of trip budgeting.
Nature Remains Central to Costa Rica Travel
The country’s tourism offer continues to revolve around nature, wildlife and outdoor experiences. Visitors can move from the capital into regions known for forests, volcanoes, beaches and protected natural areas.
La Fortuna, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio are among the destinations associated with different aspects of Costa Rica’s nature-based travel offer. Travellers can build itineraries around rainforest landscapes, wildlife observation, hiking, beaches and other outdoor activities.
The country’s geography also allows visitors to combine several environments within one trip. A journey can begin in San José before continuing towards inland forests, volcanic areas or Pacific and Caribbean coastal destinations.
For international visitors, this variety remains a defining part of planning a Costa Rica holiday. The destination can accommodate shorter city stays as well as longer itineraries focused on outdoor exploration.
San José Serves as a Travel Starting Point
San José plays an important role in the country’s tourism network because many international visitors use the capital and its surrounding area as an arrival or departure point. The city provides access to accommodation, restaurants, cultural attractions, transport services and onward connections.
Travellers staying in San José can explore the capital before continuing to other parts of the country. This creates opportunities to combine urban experiences with nature-focused destinations elsewhere.
The capital also supports business and professional travel alongside leisure tourism. Official ICT data indicates that 75% of visitors travel to Costa Rica for vacation, pleasure and leisure, while 13% travel for business and professional purposes.
Regional Travellers Become Increasingly Important
Costa Rica’s tourism activity also includes visitors from neighbouring and wider Latin American markets. The country has been promoting its nature and wellness experiences in markets such as Colombia, where the ICT identified Colombia as Costa Rica’s third-largest South American source market.
In February 2026, the ICT reported that 34,000 Colombian tourists arrived in Costa Rica by air during 2025, an 11.8% increase from the previous year. It also reported 2,447 Colombian air arrivals in January 2026, with an average stay of 10.3 nights and daily spending of $186.30.
The figures illustrate how regional markets form part of Costa Rica’s international visitor base. For travellers from Latin America, direct air connections, travel costs, accommodation prices and the overall value of a holiday can all influence destination decisions.
Tourism Revenue Remains a Key Indicator
Costa Rica recorded $5.44 billion in tourism foreign-exchange income in 2024, according to figures published by the ICT using data from the Central Bank of Costa Rica. That followed $4.75 billion in 2023 and marked continued recovery from the disruption experienced during the pandemic years.
The latest ICT tourism statistics also include 2025 foreign-exchange data and 2026 international-arrival reports, providing an ongoing picture of visitor flows and tourism earnings.
For travellers, the story is ultimately visible through the destinations themselves: San José as a gateway, rainforest and wildlife experiences inland, and beaches along both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Costa Rica’s tourism market is therefore being shaped not only by where visitors want to go, but also by the costs and currency conditions surrounding the journey.
