Costa Rica Keeps Its Lead as Top Eco-Tourism Destination

San José: Costa Rica reaffirmed its position as the leading ecotourism destination in Central America and one of the most recognized worldwide, with record nature tourism figures during the first quarter of 2026. The country received 712,000 international visitors between January and March, an 8.4% increase compared to the same period of 2025, according to data from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT).

The country's main attraction is its unmatched biodiversity: with just 0.03% of the world's land surface, Costa Rica harbors 5% of the planet's biodiversity. Its 29 national parks, 19 biological reserves, and numerous wildlife refuges cover more than 26% of the national territory, a level of environmental protection that few countries in the world can match.

Growing Tourism Segments

Adventure tourism is the fastest-growing segment, with activities like zip-lines in Monteverde Cloud Forest, rafting on the Pacuare and Reventazón rivers, and surfing on Pacific beaches. Wellness tourism is also growing, with a 22% increase in yoga and wellness retreat bookings.

The ICT reported that the profile of tourists visiting Costa Rica is evolving. In addition to the traditional North American and European tourists, the country is attracting increasing numbers of Asia-Pacific visitors, especially from South Korea and Japan, who value contact with nature and the country's environmental quality standards.

Sustainability as a Model

Costa Rica is a world reference in sustainable tourism policies. The Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (CST), implemented since 1997, is internationally recognized and has inspired similar programs in Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru. The government of President Villanueva announced the expansion of the tourism carbon offset fund, which already allows international visitors to neutralize the emissions of their trips.