The 24,606 Americans who arrived in the country during November, represent a little more than a quarter of the visits from the US registered in the same month of 2019, informed the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT). The decrease in tourist arrivals is due to the crisis generated by the outbreak of covid-19 at a global level.

See "Interest in travel and tourism: No Clear Direction"

This means that out of every 100 tourists who arrived by air in November, 68 were Americans, a growth that matches the opening to all U.S. states, which took effect on November 1. The total number of international arrivals amounts to 36,044, the ICT's press release states.

Gustavo J. Segura, Minister of Tourism, said that "... the reactivation will be gradual... of Europe still do not visit us in the desired volume. Caution must be taken, as the current air entry of tourists is less than 20% existing before the pandemic."

Following the opening to international commercial flights from the European Union, the gradual reactivation of the international tourist industry began on August 1st. As of November 1st, both the air and sea borders are open to all countries.

More on this topic

Mexican Tourists will be able to enter Costa Rica

September 2020

As of October 1st, citizens and residents of Mexico may enter Costa Rican territory by air, under the condition that they comply with the sanitary requirements imposed by the authorities to contain the outbreak of covid-19.

As part of the process of reactivating air connectivity, Jamaican tourists will also be able to enter and the authorization for California residents will be reconfirmed.

Costa Rica Keeps Recovering its Air Connectivity

September 2020

Starting October 17th, JetBlue will gradually restart operations with the flight between San Jose and Fort Lauderdale in Florida, and from October 25th it will start operating the route between the Costa Rican capital and New York.

From October 28th the airline plans to reactivate the flight between Orlando and San Jose.

Costa Rica to Allow More Tourists

August 2020

As of September 1, the authorities will allow the entry of U.S. residents from the states of Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, and as of September 15, tourists from Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Colorado will also be able to arrive.

A few days ago, it was reported that by September 1st, commercial flights between the US and Costa Rica, which were suspended for more than five months due to the outbreak of covid-19, will gradually reopen.

Tourism with No Season and Slow Reactivation

June 2020

As a result of the covid19 outbreak, Costa Rica closed its borders to tourism and during April and May practically no visitors entered the country, a situation that will persist in the coming months due to the slow reactivation of the sector.

In order to mitigate the advance of the virus, by means of a government decree the authorities ordered that as of March 18 only Costa Ricans and residents could enter the country.