New Air Links: United Airlines will launch the first nonstop flight from Guanacaste (LIR) to Washington-Dulles (IAD) on Dec 17, 2026, running daily through Jan 4, 2027—an East Coast boost for peak-season travelers. Resort Spotlight: The Vessyl opens near La Fortuna as the world’s first 4D Sound Wellness Resort, aiming to blend immersive sound, nature, movement and community for nervous-system “reconnection.” Cruise & Nature Travel: PONANT EXPLORATIONS adds a Costa Rica by Sea itinerary for 2028, pairing small-ship sailing with Smithsonian Journeys experts. Infrastructure for Visitors: Construction has started on the new San Lucas Island tourist pier (Gulf of Nicoya), designed to replace a deteriorated platform and improve safer, faster boarding. Weather Watch: Expect windy conditions today, then heavier rain Tuesday—worst on the Caribbean and Northern Zone, with higher slide/road ponding risk. Tourism Performance: ICT reports Costa Rica’s first-half 2026 air arrivals rose 7.8% to 1,605,360 tourists, with North America leading. Sustainability: A coalition launches “United for Costa Rica’s Reefs” to cut reef pressures during the Oct 2026–Feb 2027 El Niño heat-stress window. Road Safety Alert: A Manuel Antonio access bridge on Route 235 has been flagged for “imminent failure” after severe corrosion findings. Travel Disruption Note: Southwest has scrapped its planned LAS–San José (SJO) route before the first flight.