Costa Rica: A Booming Destination for US Travelers

1. California, Texas, New York, and Florida: These states lead in travel demand to Costa Rica, each with approximately 300,000 accommodation searches in the past 90 days.
2. California: 2% year-over-year (YoY) growth
3. New York: Also showing significant demand width 10% growth
4. Texas and Florida: 7% YoY growth

1. South Carolina: Exceptional YoY growth of 72%, although traveler volume remains at 70,000
2. North Carolina: 20% YoY demand growth
3. Pennsylvania: 16% demand growth
4. Virginia: 14% YoY growth

1. Overall growth: The data shows positive YoY growth across almost all states, indicating widespread increasing interest in Costa Rica as a destination.
2. Volume vs. growth: While states like California, Texas, and Florida lead in volume, some smaller states are showing higher growth rates, suggesting potential for market expansion.
3. Geographical diversity: Interest in Costa Rica spans the entire US, from coastal states to the Midwest and Mountain regions.
4. Potential influencing factors:
   • Direct flight availability from major cities
   • Marketing efforts targeted at specific regions
   • Word-of-mouth recommendations within communities
   • Economic conditions in different states

1. Marketing opportunities: States with high growth rates but lower volumes present opportunities for targeted marketing to increase traveler numbers.
2. Infrastructure development: Understanding where travelers are coming from can inform decisions about flight routes and travel packages.
3. Tailored experiences: Destination providers in Costa Rica can use this data to create experiences that cater to the preferences of travelers from different US regions.
4. Seasonal strategies: By analyzing YoY data, travel industry professionals can develop strategies to address seasonal variations in demand.

This detailed breakdown of regional demand provides a comprehensive picture of where US travelers to Costa Rica are coming from and how interest is evolving across different states. It offers valuable insights for both the travel industry and potential travelers, highlighting both established and emerging markets for Costa Rican tourism.

From 2011 to 2019, Costa Rica experienced consistent growth in visitors from the United States:

• 2011: 858,829 visitors
• 2015: 1,077,044 visitors
• 2019: 1,334,777 visitors

This represents a remarkable 55.4% increase over eight years, underscoring Costa Rica's growing appeal as a destination for US travelers. The steady year-over-year growth during this period indicates a strong and sustained interest in Costa Rica's offerings.

The global COVID-19 pandemic had a dramatic impact on travel worldwide, and Costa Rica was no exception:

• 2019: 1,334,777 visitors
• 2020: 434,775 visitors

This sharp 67.4% decrease reflects the severe travel restrictions and health concerns that characterized 2020. Notably, the most significant drops occurred in April and May 2020, with just 260 and 285 visitors respectively, compared to over 100,000 in each of these months in 2019. During these months, Costa Rica’s borders were closed to tourism, so these visitors were, in all probability, US citizens who lived in Costa Rica and had legal residency or dual citizenship.

Costa Rica began a staged reopening of its borders for tourism in August 2020, letting in US travelers on a state-by-state basis, depending on COVID numbers in that particular state. In November 2020, Costa Rica opened up to residents of all 50 states, albeit with restrictions. Then, in April 2022, the country abolished all COVID-19 entry requirements (the second country in Central America to do so, after El Salvador in November 2021). Since then, the recovery of US travel to Costa Rica has been remarkably swift:

• 2021: 868,986 visitors
• 2022: 1,290,038 visitors
• 2023: 1,473,620 visitors

The 2023 figure not only surpasses pre-pandemic levels but sets a new record, showing a 10.4% increase over the previous peak in 2019. This robust recovery demonstrates the resilience of Costa Rica's tourism industry and the strong desire among US travelers to a) travel in general (a phenomenon called “revenge tourism”) and b) visit Costa Rica in particular.

Analysis of monthly data reveals consistent seasonal trends across the years:

1. Peak seasons:
   • Winter: December through March
   • Summer: June and July
2. Shoulder seasons:
   • Spring: April and May
   • Summer: August
   • Fall: November
3. Low season:
   • September and October consistently show the lowest visitor numbers

These patterns align closely with typical US vacation periods, suggesting that leisure travel is a primary driver of visits to Costa Rica. The consistency of these seasonal trends over the years allows for better planning by both travelers and the tourism industry.

The 2023 data shows strong performance across all months:

• Highest month: March with 159,628 visitors
• Summer peak: June with 148,888 visitors
• Even the traditionally low month of September saw 63,701 visitors, a significant increase from pre-pandemic years

The historical data, particularly the strong recovery and record-breaking numbers in 2023, indicates three main things:

1. Robust and growing interest in Costa Rica among US travelers
2. The resilience and adaptability of Costa Rica's tourism industry
3. Potential for continued growth in the coming years

This long-term perspective complements our analysis of current trends, providing a comprehensive view of US travel patterns to Costa Rica. It underscores the country's enduring appeal and suggests a positive outlook for future tourism growth, barring any unforeseen global events.

Costa Rica has successfully positioned itself as more than just a trend in the US international travel market. Its sustained growth in travel demand, coupled with its diverse offerings and strategic advantages, suggests that Costa Rica will continue to be a staple destination for US travelers.