Tourism in Costa Rica continues to thrive as the first half of 2014 reports record numbers, yet again. Costa Rica recorded 1,391,617 tourist arrivals in the first six months of this year, an increase of 5.4% compared to the same period last year, according to data provided by the General Directorate of Immigration and analyzed by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT).
In 2013 the Central American country saw 2.4 million tourist arrivals and it is likely that the 2014 tourism numbers will exceed the previous year’s record numbers. Tourism also accounted for an impressive $2.43 billion in revenues in Costa Rica in 2013, another number that is likely to be surpassed with the ever-growing number of tourists traveling to Costa Rica.
Tourism for the First Half of 2014 in Costa Rica Shows a 5.4% Increase Over Last Year
ICT said the statistics exclude Costa Ricans and those with temporary work permits.
The United States accounted for the largest number of international arrivals (568,250) followed by Central America (391,430) and Europe (179,743).
Almost 70% of arrivals were by air, an increase of 7.6% compared to the same period last year. Arrivals to the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) saw a 6.4% increase in arrivals, while the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia (LIR) saw an increase of 12.7%.
With the green season approaching the prime time for tourism in Costa Rica has yet to arrive this year. These record numbers continue to grow and the tourism industry in Costa Rica shows no signs of a slowdown in the months ahead.
Pictured Above: Serenity Point Costa Rica